Davening on an
Airplane
Q: Is it permissible to Daven with a Minyan on
an airplane, or should each person Daven on their own in order not to disturb
others?
A: It is
permissible to Daven with a Minyan on condition that one coordinates it with
the head of the airplane crew (Many Poskim write that it is forbidden to Daven
with a Minyan if it disturbs others. Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach [Halichot Shlomo
p. 95. Shut She'eirit Yosef of Ha-Rav
Shlomo Wahrman 7:3], Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein [Shut Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim
4:20] and Ha-Rav Ovadiah would Daven on his own and not together with a group so as not to disturb
others, for fear of robbing another person's sleep. [Halachic Guide for the
Passengers of El Al 9:1]. However, when Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg was asked about
Davening with a Minyan on an airplane, he said one should, adding that he does
it all the time. While strictly speaking
it might be permitted to pray at your seat, Rav Scheinberg prefers that one
pray with a Minyan,
but quietly in
a way that doesn't disturb others).
Q: If I Daven
in my seat, am I obligated to wear a Talit?
It is difficult to wrap it.
A: Yes, you are
obligated to wear it. Be careful,
however, not to smack other passengers with your Tzitzit when putting it on.
Q: If I am
Davening on my own, is it preferable to Daven Shemoneh Esrei while sitting or
standing?
A: Standing,
under three conditions: 1. It does not ruin your concentration. 2. Your eyes are not facing something which
is immodest. 3. The "Fasten Your
Seat Belt" sign is not on.
Q: If one is in
the middle of the Shemoneh Esrei and the "Fasten Your Seat Belt" sign
lights up what should one do?
A: He should
sit down and continue to Daven
the Shemoneh Esrei in his seat. This is based on two reasons: 1. It is a case
of a life-threatening situation. 2. Walking in the middle of the Shemoneh Esrei
without speaking is not considered an interruption. For example, if one is Davening
the Shemoneh Esrei and a child is bothering him and he cannot concentrate, he
can move to another place. Or if he is Davening by heart on Rosh Chodesh and cannot
remember "Ya'ale Ve-Yavo," he can go and get a Siddur. Speaking is
forbidden, but there is no problem of moving if there is a need (see Mishneh
Berurah 104:2. Piskei Teshuvot ibid.
Shut Be'er Moshe 3:13. Ha-Rav Yitzchak
Zilberstein answers similarly since if one does not obey, there is a fear of
perform a Mitzvah through a transgression and as a result, one does not fulfill
his obligation. Furthermore, it causes
contempt for the Torah as well as a desecaration of Hashem's name. The booklet of El Al regarding Halachot of
air travel).
