According to directives issued by maranan verabonon,
the Rabbinical Transportation Committee has started to
address air travel in order to allow every observant Jew
concerned for his spiritual well-being and that of his family
members to fly free of stumbling blocks.
Unfortunately, despite the efforts to safeguard against
immodesty, the current situation on planes is highly
unsatisfactory, particularly regarding in-flight movies.
Airplanes that show movies on a central screen in every cabin
make kosher flying nearly impossible.
Based on an inquiry, the Rabbinical Committee found that
certain airlines do not screen movies at all or show only
nature films, therefore these flights should be preferred
since this is a case of "iko darko achrino," i.e. a
suitable alternative is available.
Flights that provide individual screens should also be viewed
as a preferred option since they allow passengers not to view
movies at all, but the Rabbinical Committee notes that
unwholesome images on nearby screens are liable to draw
attention unwittingly.
In the case of airlines that show movies on a central screen
the Rabbinical Committee advises travelers to avoid these
flights if at all possible, and if not they should take along
a folding mechitzoh, available by calling 057-
3155613.
The Rabbinical Committee recently publicized lists of flights
ordered from preferred airlines to less preferred airlines,
particularly since many people are already making travel
arrangements for the chagim. The Rabbinical Committee
also reissued an important notice by gedolei Yisroel
shlita, which reads: "We have heard the outcries of
bnei Yisroel, headed by the roshei yeshivos of the
yeshivos kedoshos and the principals of other
educational institutions, regarding the various stumbling
blocks precluding proper modesty for passengers on air routes
to Eretz Hakodesh, for they are exposed to immodest images in
the movies screened before the Holy Nation, which despises
and avoids them...
"We hereby issue an impassioned plea to all of the airlines
to make arrangements for passengers to fly on their planes
without stumbling blocks to tznius and
kedushoh...And certainly when these arrangements are
made passengers from among the Holy Nation who fear the Word
of Hashem will make arrangements to fly on these approved
airlines...Likewise the roshei yeshivos and seminary
principals will direct their students, ensuring they use
these companies that enable flying on their planes under
conditions of tznius lemehadrin...
"May the activists and travel agents who assist, along with
the entire public who back them in this matter be blessed,
and in this merit may Hashem Yisborach, Tohor Einayim, Whose
Eyes See All, Shomer Yisroel Who neither sleeps nor slumbers,
guard his People, Am Yisroel, and bless His People with
peace."
The call by gedolei Yisroel shlita is creating a
widespread awakening on this issue and the Rabbinical
Transportation Committee hopes the various airlines will try
to make acceptable arrangements for the sake of all observant
passengers.
