Chief Rabbi Yosef: Don’t Pray on Plane at Expense of Others’ Sleep

Praying in a minyan on an airplane is forbidden if it robs others  passengers of their sleep or interferes with the duties of stewards and stewardesses, ruled newly elected Chief Sephardi Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, son  of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Replying to a congratulatory letter from El Al CEO Eliezer Shkedy on the election of the rabbi to his new post, he wrote, “If there is going to be any interference with other passengers or aircraft crew, one should not organize a minyan but should pray alone.”

The rabbi also cautioned that praying in a minyan violates Jewish law if it robs others of sleep. He added that he usually prays alone when flying.

Rabbi  Yosef also assured the airline’s CEO that he flies El Al whenever we can.