So I'm sure most of you have already heard the whole story of the Charedim threatening (or already) to boycott El Al for a Shabbat flight infracture. Well here is my feeling regarding the whole thing and why some sort of agreement must be put forth. As many of you, I'm afraid to fly. I hate it. It makes no sence for a piece of metal that heavy to be airborn. The only time I will ever fly is when I am going to Israel. And let me just say this... I space my Israel vacations wide apart. I will also only fly El Al. There is though, one thing that gives me slight comfort when boarding that plane, and it's a comfort that many people share with me. Charedim. For some superstitious reason, if there are Charedim on the plane it makes me feel that God is with this flight. I am for sure not alone in this. I was once sitting by some secular Israeli and he remarked to me: "that there is no way God would bring down this plane with all these religous people." Being on a plane is the one time I love to see a swarm of Charedim. The more the better in my book. Just seeing those long beards puts my heart at ease (a little). Frankly, I would not mind if the entire plane was filled to capicity with residents of Meah Shearim.
So I say this to El Al: Come to some sort of agreement. If not for me personally, then for your own financial benefit. Cause if Charedim stop flying El Al, I can assure you that I am stopping as well, and so are millions of others.
I'm just happy to fly Continental anyway... better mileage plan.
ReplyDeletebut question: Do you feel safer when you see charedim on the plane? I mean, if I knew there was a reform rabbi on the flight, it would not do a thing for me.
ReplyDeletethat was a really stupid post.
ReplyDeleteI was once sitting by some secular Israeli and he remarked to me: "that there is no way God would bring down this plane with all these religous people."
ReplyDeleteWould he feel the same way if there were a bunch of nuns, or some Buddhist monks in saffron robes?
Would you?
Am I just being difficult? =p
Actually, I used to be really nervous on the planes before I flew El Al this year. I think it cured me.
ReplyDeleteWould he feel the same way if there were a bunch of nuns, or some Buddhist monks in saffron robes?
ReplyDeleteWould you?
Am I just being difficult? =p
I have a feeling, since I am not buddist or Christian, it would not ease my flying angst. But who knows. I'll you know next time I fly Air Tibet. And no, I dont think you are being difficult. :)
What cured you Irina, El Al itself, or seeing orthodox people on the plane?
ReplyDeleteare you guys serious?
ReplyDeletethese charedim could be a bunch of cheats (financial or other)for all you know?
a beard and peyis inspires you?
Like I said, its superstitious, I know its silly. Obviously if I had the ability to peer in their souls I might actually WANT the nuns instead, but I don't. Hey, its the only way I can fly, don't take that away from me :)
ReplyDeletehh
ReplyDeletedont worry, im not here to make you a fear of flying skeptic
i have my own ritual.
i say modeh ani, shema, and hamalach hagoel and ani maamen! cant help myself.
Haha, Im worse. I was so afraid on a flight to Vegas (which is only about 30 minutes), that I quietly started sigining "Ine Matov Umanaim, shevet achim gam yachad" LOL Im such a dork
ReplyDeleteHH-
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny is that you think millions share your irrational delusions that while God would otherwise have no problem sending a plane to its doom, killing hundreds of innocents, it's the chareidim keeping the plane up.
"that there is no way God would bring down this plane with all these religous people."
ReplyDeleteHmmm... did the millions of Jews in cattle carts feel the same way?
Wow. It wasn't a super-serious post, people. He was just saying he felt more comfortable, and admitted it was somewhat irrational. Geez.
ReplyDeleteWow. It wasn't a super-serious post, people. He was just saying he felt more comfortable, and admitted it was somewhat irrational. Geez.
ReplyDeleteHey, to be fair, I admitted I was probably just being difficult!
I know he was saying that its irrational thinking - but sadly, I think people do really believe this illogical reasoning.
ReplyDeleteA plane full of chareidim who daven in the aisle while lunch is being served, block the bathroom, or making a stink about sitting next to someone of the opposite gender, is just the type of kiddush Hashem that will keep us all safe in the air.
If you wanna reason that we may be safer because the Chareidim are less likely to blow up a plane, that's one thing - but to say we're safer due to their 'supereority' is nuts.
"Swarm" is the wrong word.
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny is that you think millions share your irrational delusions that while God would otherwise have no problem sending a plane to its doom, killing hundreds of innocents, it's the chareidim keeping the plane up.
ReplyDeleteOMG. It was a light hearted post. Obviously millions don't think that way and I was just over embellishing. Rationally, I know its not the charedim keeping it up, but its the only thing that helps me cope with an 18 hour plane ride. And just like Anonymous commented here...
Hmmm... did the millions of Jews in cattle carts feel the same way?
it is clear that being in the company, or even listening to religious people is not a guarentee at survival. I was actually thinking of adding this at the end, but I did not want this post getting that serious.
Of course its nuts to believe it Anonymous. I never said it wasen't. Their presence comforts me. Thats it. The only people that would ACTUALLY believe that the presence of Charedim is the sole thing that insures survival are probably charedim themselves.
And now, (since I have opened my mouth with this post) I am sure I have sealed my own doom. That the next time I board an El Al flight, it WILL crash. Chas Vechalila.
Even as a light-hearted post this is stupid.
ReplyDeleteRather than the Charedim (who could be the worst sinners/molesters, etc) keeping the plane up, maybe you're the one keeping the plane up? Ever think of that?
Don't give them that credit until they've earned it.
Jesus Anoymous. Your impossible
ReplyDeleteEven if they fly on Shabat, El Al does a better job serving Orthodox customers than Continental, which doesn't even provide kosher meals on most of its routes. (In fact, according to their web site, the only route in their entire system for which they serve glatt kosher meals is Newark/Tel Aviv!)
ReplyDelete