Brentwood
04-12-2013, 01:26 PM
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01709/Orthodox-Jew-in-pl_1709124a.jpg
A PUZZLING picture of a Jewish plane passenger wrapped in a huge plastic bag has baffled internet users.
After the snap appeared on website Reddit, readers were quick to wonder why the ultra-Orthodox traveller had sealed himself in the giant sack.
It’s believed the man is a Kohein – a follower of one of the strictest interpretations of the ancient faith.
Kohanim are prohibited from coming into near contact with dead bodies unless they are close family of the deceased. This includes flying over cemeteries.
But, so that they can take flights, a scholar conceived of this radical solution.
Israel’s Ben Gurion airport is surrounded by four burial sites - including the large Holon cemetery.
Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported in 2002 an airline El Al pilot had to turn his Britain bound plane around when a passenger refused to remove the closed bag while flying over Holon.
The Israeli airline banned the practice while flying over the graveyard the year before because of “flight safety considerations”.
A PUZZLING picture of a Jewish plane passenger wrapped in a huge plastic bag has baffled internet users.
After the snap appeared on website Reddit, readers were quick to wonder why the ultra-Orthodox traveller had sealed himself in the giant sack.
It’s believed the man is a Kohein – a follower of one of the strictest interpretations of the ancient faith.
Kohanim are prohibited from coming into near contact with dead bodies unless they are close family of the deceased. This includes flying over cemeteries.
But, so that they can take flights, a scholar conceived of this radical solution.
Israel’s Ben Gurion airport is surrounded by four burial sites - including the large Holon cemetery.
Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported in 2002 an airline El Al pilot had to turn his Britain bound plane around when a passenger refused to remove the closed bag while flying over Holon.
The Israeli airline banned the practice while flying over the graveyard the year before because of “flight safety considerations”.