Robert Blum and his family had just settled into their seats on a United Airlines flight from Denver to Columbus when they prepared to eat a kosher meal they had brought onto the plane. The Blums bought the food from a restaurant, never expecting the fish dinner would cause a problem.
“He said, ‘I don’t want you eating that food on the plane,'” Blum said of a flight attendant.
Blum says the attendant told him passengers were complaining about the smell of the fish.
“He said, ‘I don’t want the food on the plane. If you don’t trash the food, I’ll trash you. You’ll get off the plane, you and your wife and your kids,'” said Blum.
According to Blum, the pilot badgered him about the food as well.
“The pilot says to me, ‘are you going to give us any more trouble because I have to worry about 220 passengers smelling your stinking food?'” Blum contended.
Blum said he remained calm, but the pilot threatened to throw his family off the plane. So he said he begged to stay on board. With the food thrown in the trash, he said his nine-year-old daughter was crying as the plane full of passengers looked their way.
“I was about to cry simply because of seeing my kids like that. It was terrible.”
(Source: WBNS)
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58 Responses
Sounds pretty fishy to me.
Your headline is way off. They were going to throw them off the plane because of the smell of the fish – NOT FOR EATING KOSHER !!!! You are making some sensational out of nothing.
he should sue..
I smell a “festeh” lawsuit! How many times did I have to suffer through flights from the smells eminating from treifeh foods?
If the food did emit a powerful odor then the airline people should have asked him politley to put it away. If it was just good old AS then he should sue
how did they get it past security in the first place?
Not very sensitive to others… I would never bring fish or egg on a flight… I don’t even bring it to the office if working with others…
I too agree the headlines are stereotypical media sensationalization.
Strong food smells like fish can be very annoying to those around the eaters. Don’t forget Chillul HaShem is deOraysa.
someone that could be so careless of others deserves to be thrown off I dont know what happened here but the smell of fish could be really strong especially on a plane
Your headline is pretty yellow journalistic because the denial and threat was due to the smell of fish; however, that’s no way to talk to anyone, much less your paying passenger, and the way the airline personnel spoke to the Jew “reeks” of Jew-hatred.
This story SMELLS of 4 DAY OLD FISH!
Blum ‘said this’ and BLUM ‘ said that’.
The structure of this article is not very well balanced.
Almost the same story on American Airlines. They threw off a frum man because he allegedly stunk (which wasn’t true).
The airline is probably right, fish could have a very strong smell. And it’s kind of selfish for one passenger to cause discomfort to the rest of the passengers.
This headline contains media sensationalism.
The issue had nothing to do with Kosher – it had to do with the smell of fish.
Kudos to the flight crew. I’ve been on flights where other inconsiderate people have done the same. I wish the flight crew would have reacted the same way. How can someone be so selfish? Use a little common sense! Bring something that doesn’t smell so bad, or eat peanuts for heaven’s sake. Is it really so tough to figure that out? This has nothing to do with kosher food whatsoever, it has to do with smelly food and (it seems) inconsiderate people.
Sorry, Mr. Blum, but I think you were inconsiderate in your choice of plane food, and if I were on the flight I would have protested.
your headlines are ridiculous…He was asked not to eat smelly food on the plane it has nothing to do with anti semitism
To all of you who claim that the issue was the ‘fish’ and not antisemitsim, did it ever occur to you that the smell might have been an excuse to pick on a Jewish passenger??
Obviously they are not going to bluntly resort to discriminatory name calling!
Illini,
I’m not sure, I’ve flew many times smelling the aroma of their meals as well, and there certainly was no need for the crew to be so nasty EVEN if it were the fish!
Ni, so who recorded the flight attendant’s and/or pilot’s words? This is the story from Mr. Blum’s side only. Could it be that they first spoke nicely to him and his family, and the Blum’s retorted with obstinacy?
I AM a Chassidishe man who travels sort of often, and I also do not like when ANYONE opens fish near me. I do not want to smell your fish, kosher or not.
Some people get nauseous just from the smell of fish. I am not one, but still do not like the smell of other people’s fish.
Some fish loves are grossed out by the smell of other people’s fish just because it was prepared with a different recipe from the one they like.
Fish is a smelly food that people are made uncomfortable with.
Now, let’s say that maybe a passenger who was an anti-semite made a big deal about the fish smell, and passed his complaint to the flight attendants and captain….
Yes, it is the flight crew’s job to be polite to all, even if the passenger is not polite himself. However, their first responsibility if to the calmness and safety of the plane and its passengers.
If they were concerned that it would cause unrest among the passengers, IT WAS THEIR JOB TO “ASK” THE BLUM’S TO NOT EAT THAT FISH.
Now, every frequent flier knows that with today’s hightened security mode, WE ARE ALL REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUESTS OF THE FLIGHT and/or CABIN CREWS, OR WE ARE SUBJECT TO ARREST OR REMOVAL FROM THE PLANE.
Maybe Mr. Blum was very polite, but without understanding what his refusal to comply meant, maybe he politely refused to comply or argued with the crew, etc.,
The crew then has no choice but to take that non-compliance and escalate it to a command. THEY MUST REMAIN IN CHARGE. They may not allow a passenger to ignore their requests.
I HAVE SEEN MANY GOYIM TAKEN OFF A PLANE OR ARRESTED FOR FAILING TO OBEY THE FLIGHT and/or CABIN CREW.
Were those actions “Anti-Goyim”?
No. It was flight crews doing their jobs.
We do tend to sometimes inconvenience other passengers with our religious needs. That can’t be helped, and we should continue to daven when possible, but try to lessen the impact on the other passengers and on the crew.
I have seen men form a minyan on a short flight from FL to NY, and occupy the galley with no awareness caring that the cabin crew needed to prepare the food.
There is no reason they could not have davened an hour later upon landing at JFK. They kept lying to the flight attendants and telling them it would be “Only 5 more minutes” … and ruined the flight for everyone else.
They actually came and Yelled at me for not being part of the minyam. I explained that I davened Kriyas Shma before the flight, and would catch a minyan upon landing and did not want to daven on board.
These people could have done the same.
However, they did not want to take the time to daven later. They wanted to get their davening over during the flight, so they did not need to waste time later.
There making a minyan on the flight was for their convenience only, and had no religious need.
It turned out that the crew on that flight was very careful and with politeness and LOTS OF SELF CONTROL, trouble was avoided.
But, though those people’s attitude was that, “We need to pay now, and it is a religious thing. You should not interfere with out practicing our religion.” and they did it in a very “in your face” way.
In my opinion they were wrong. It is wrong to shout “religious freedom” when what you are doing is only for convenience.
There were about 4 other frum men in my general vicinit besides myself, who did not wish to be part of this unnecessary minyan.
This foolish incident could have escalated into a “problem”, but a mostly Jewish passenger list, consisting of people who did not wish to bring any more attention to this matter, kept quite and nothing started.
I have seen a few other “near misses” were the “in your face” attitude of my fellow Jew caused a chillul Hashem and came close to causing trouble. In every one of those situations, the flight and cabin crews were polite. Sometimes they had to be FIRM, but they remained polite.
Oh, I almost forgot, about two years ago, I was on a flight where a Jamaican was asked to dispose of his Jamaican meat patties, as they also smelled and grossed some passengers out.
I was also on a flight where Evangelican Xtians started walking down the isles and passing out their tracts, and being a bit annoying in their persistence in trying to talk to each passenger.
The cabin crew asked them also to cease. They began to politely debate, and were told they must not debate with flight or cabin crews and must follow instructions or get off the plane. What that “Anti-Xtian” ???
Of course not! It was just flight and cabin crews doing their job.
Of course in this case, maybe the Blum’s were polite at all times, and totally willing to dispose of their smelly fish with no debate, and maybe the flight and cabin crews were total anti semitin. Maybe.
It was not that long ago that a Southwest Airlines flight attendant was fired for using a rhyme that had some racial issued long forgotten by most. She was a young flight attendant who had never heard the racially nasty version, as it has not been in use for many years. She only learned “Catch a TIGER by the toe” and not the old version from the first half of last century.
So, she sang on the PA system, “Eeeny Meeny Miney Mo, Grab a Seat so we can Go.” Some older Black person found that offensive do to the old version which used the N word instead of Tiger. So she was fired.
Most airline employees remember that story and are careful to stay on the right side of any religious or racial issue.
Was this United Airlines crew, both the Flight Crew as well as the Cabin Crew so full of anti-semitism that they did not care for the consequences?
Maybe it was. My limited experience has never seen such a large group so out of control. Normally, if one gets near to crossing the line, his associates will either take over with more self control, or call him away and calm him down.
It could be I am totally wrong, as I was not on this flight. I am not saying this out of knowledge, and I could be completely wrong. But here is what I am “guessing” happened:
The Blum’s purchased this food without realizing that to other people who are sensitive to the smell of fish, the smell of fish is one of the most disgusting smells, and to some it really gives them headaches and/or makes then nauseous. They started off innocently.
However when the flight attendant politely asked them to put the food away or trash it, since it was interfering with the other passengers’ comfort, Mr. Blum, embarrassed by this, took an attitude. From watching his interview online, I can see from his words and tone of voice, where he could be easily thought to have an attitude.
So, maybe his “attitude” caused the flight attendant to have an attitude, or simply to be defensive. Then things escalated.
I fly all the time with my tallis kuten on top of my shirt, covered only with my vest. I have flown on United Airlines many times, and have NEVER even felt a drop uncomfortable. I have been treated with utmost respect by every airline attendant. Some have sat down next to me to ask me questions about the ways of Chassidim. Always polite and respectful.
I do not know what really happened on that flight, but I am willing to bet that it was not anti-semitism, but simply something that began by an innocent act by the Blums, that due to the nature of the stench of the food (as perceived by others), and due to some “attitude chapping” by both sides, escalated into a nasty matter, leaving both sides wrong.
But, even if the flight crew and cabin crew messed up and got nasty, that does not mean anti-semitism.
Folks, I spend more time away from NY then I do in NY. To tell you the truth, I see more anti-semitism in NY than I see in Non-Jewish communities. Sure, I do run across a bit of it here and there, but in general, I am treated with respect and politeness by most goyim.
So, though the halacha is Aisav Sonai es Yaakov, that does not mean they do it openly.
In my view, Mr. Blum used the old cry of “Anti-Semitism” to cover his own embarrassment. Or, he sees anti-semitism everywhere he looks.
Oh well, maybe I am right, or maybe the entire flight crew were anti-semites.
Right or wrong, it is our job to try to make a Kidush Hashem and not a Chillul Hashem. It is our job to not go crying Anti-Semitism over every little thing to point that our whining actually causes this anti-semitism. To be honest, I am very turned off by people who whine about these things.
Please, let us TRY to be nice to all, goyim and Yidden alike.
Do we have to open smelly food on a short flight, and make an issue of it?
and, yes, I have davened in minyanim of flights, but that was when it was a long flight that took off before zman tallis, and would not land until after soif zman tefillah. But if there is time to daven in the terminal, I do that.
I realize that the other passengers are people too, and goyim have as much of a right to enjoy a flight as we do. Yes, we have a right to practice our religion, but we do not have an automatic right to inconvenience others for no reason. Our failing to plan does not give us the right to annoy others. They were created by Hashem also.
Mr. Blum, if you really were polite at all times, and if you really had no “in your face” attitude, and you kept your cool throughout this incident, and, if they were as nasty as you say they were, well, I ask your mechila.
However, I would ask a Rov before beginning a lawsuit and/or giving further TV interviews. I saw your interview (online) where you claim that all this was because they saw you walk onto the plane with your “Holy Fringes” and showed their hatred with this fish incident. If I were a goy who was not sure who was right, I may be tempted to side with the airline just from your words and tone of voice in the interview. I saw an attitude.
I hope this attitude was only the remains of your humiliation from this, and that you are not normally like this, but… you were home already at the time of the interview. It looked like you were trying to “set up the scene” for a lawsuit.
Again, I ask your mechila if I am wrong.
Now for all the rest of you who are always seeing anti-semitism everywhere you look, let me tell you all a story.
I was on a Jet Blue flight, and a yingerman took off his hat and went to open an overhead baggage compartment to stow his hat up there. The lady in the next row, yelled at him to stop and not open it. He did not stop to ask why, nor give her a chance to explain, or even really look at her. He simply yelled back at her and called her an “anti-semite b*tch”.
Then here husband, a chassidishe man came and sat next to her. She then looked up at this young man with pity in her eyes and continued, “I just was trying to tell you that we stuffed that compartment so full that I was afraid it would all fall on your head. That is why I yelled to not open it. I was not yelling in hate or anger, but rather to stop you before you got hurt, chas v’sholoim.” The yingerman, then realized this lady whom he accused of being an “Anti-semite B*tch” was this man’s rebbetzin who meant no harm.
I was once stuck in a town over shabbos. I took a taxi and went to check into the nearest hotel, only an hour and a a half before shabbos.
The desk clerk, a really “Bubba” type, with a Confederate flag belt buckle, said, you are a religious Jew, you do not want to be in this hotel. He then said, “Excuse me” and went to answer the phone.
I was surprised by his remark, and was concerned that it may be antisemitism, only to hear the rest of the sentence when he got off the phone: “Our other property on the other side of town is within walking distance to our only Jewish Temple, and I will gladly phone them and have you driven over there if you so choose.”
I blushed with embarrassment because I realized I had misjudged this nice man. His son drove me to the other hotel in his pickup and eagerly carried my suitcase inside. He stayed with me until I was registered, and then told me the directions to walk to the “Jewish Temple.” He refused a tip.
It turned out I could not go there anyway, as it was not an orthodox shul, but at least I was in a Jewish area.
Imagine how I had totally misjudged these nice people. Oh, the other “Bubba” who managed the new hotel, showed me how to tape over the door lock so I did not need to use the electronic room key, and instructed the maids to not interfere with this, and that in case the tape fell off, they should tape it back for me with my having to ask.
This was all goyim in The South.
and I was ready to call them antisemitic.
We all make mistakes. Let’s us all try to not make mistakes that cause a chillul Hashem.
And, yes, I HAVE seen antisemitism, but I no longer see it under every rug, and behind every door. Many goyim are nice people. In fact, I have suffered more from sinas chinam of fellow Yidden then from goyish anti=semitism.
was it sushi or tilapia?
Sue them!
Unless Blum was fighting with them and they asked nicely to put the fish away,There was no call for verbal abuse from the airline.
An obvious frum family obviousely got their goat,so thewy picked on them for no valid reason.
MY favorite is the story of a Frum guy with a Charedi appearance, smuggling his way into FIRST CLASS and having to be escorted out by the crew!!!
Bringing fish onto a plane is not being considerate of the other passengers. The NY TImes once had an article about how people feel the need to bring their own food on planes since there is less & less served on board.
If I recall correctly, the article spoke about “food ettiquette” on a plane & it said fish was a big “no no”.
This has NOTHING to do with being Jewish or keeping kosher.
Let’s face it. Some frum people are incapable of acting like mentschen in public.
I was taking a NJ Transit bus to Lakewood. A bochur had been speaking loudly so the passengers could hardly sleep. He must have gotten hot from blowing all that hot air, so he opened up the emergency window letting in a cold gust of air at the remaining sleeping passengers. Unfortunately, eshiva World will not let me print the choice words hurled at that bochur by the passengers. The bochur must have been shocked at the “anti-semitic” attitude of the passengers.
DM,
youre the winner for the longest post ever.
Well we all know these days costumers don’t get any service on ailines anymore. it’s all about making money.
Dm’s Post reminds me of that famous story about the man, who was on one of the 2 flights that crashed into the World trade center.
Once he boarded he realized that he left his tefillin at the gate. The doors were already closed and he raised a ruckus DEMANDING thy let him out so he can get it! They refused and requested he return to his seat but to no avail. He argued and argued until they let him out but told him they are not waiting.
Anyways, the original plan was for the two planes to crash into the trade center simoutaneously in order for the impact to be more powerful. But BECAUSE of the time wasted during the arguement as far as the tefillin, one plane was delayed and
lives were saved!
Mr blum, are you telling me the only thing you had to eat was fish?whats wrong with some chicken? cmon! major chillul hashem!
comemon genugshine,
doesn’t this somehow tie into zionism…..
I think that I can say with assurance that DM’s post was one of the most astute, well-written, intelligent posts I have seen on this site, and on other sites as well. You obviously have a mature and sensible viewpoint towards life and relationships. Here in Florida, we had an incident last week with two Bais Yaakov girls that were hit by a car in an “apparent hit and run.” One of them broke her arm and the other was fine. The girls insisted that it was anti-semitism and that the driver was targeting them because of their uniforms that indicated that they were Jewish. After notifying the police and the local news stations about this “blatant” act of anti-semitism, there was much attention, interviewing and news cameras. It turns out that it was apparently just an ordinary traffic altercation. The driver got out to see if they were ok, and then left quickly, probably to avoid a ticket or a messy lawsuit. It was 100% wrong of the driver not to wait and speak to the driver, but a lack of personal responsibility does not in and of itself make an act anti-semitic. It could be that the girls were right and they were hit because of their uniform, but it is equally plausible that it was a regular accident. It is not good, or productive, to constantly be calling out “anti-semitism.” It dilutes the impact when we really need it to mean something. Please note: I am not commenting on this case with Mr. Blum. I do not know enough facts to comments. I am merely admiring DM’s eloquence and clear vision.
Ooops… I gues I was long-winded.
DM – no you weren’t.
mbfl – the reports were that he stopped, waved them on and then hit them.
This is nothing new. It’s an old story with airlines discriminating against frum yidden.
Orthodox Jew says airline discriminated against him
DANIEL KURTZMAN
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON — British Airways has denied that it discriminated against an Orthodox Jew who said he was booted out of an airline lounge for praying.
Aaron Tyk, an assistant attorney general for the state of New York, went to the lounge last week to quietly recite his morning prayers during a layover at London’s Heathrow Airport.
When he concluded, a British Airways employee approached him and asked him to leave.
“I was told that as a Jew I cannot be there, it was only for Muslims,” said Tyk. “I was made to feel like someone in Nazi Europe.”
The airline denied that its employee made any reference to Tyk’s religion or that its lounge was reserved for Muslims.
“Ethnicity and religious background has nothing to do with entitlement to a particular lounge,” said John Lampl, a British Airways spokesman in New York.
Lampl said Tyk was not authorized to be in the lounge because it is reserved for executive club members and for passengers traveling from North America, India and the Middle East. Tyk was en route from Tel Aviv to New York.
Lampl said the airline considers Israel part of Europe for operational purposes because it is a “short-haul flight.”
But flights from Cairo and Persian Gulf states are considered part of their long-haul operations, Lampl said.
Tyk was astounded. “They’ve attempted to accomplish what the Arab states have not been able to accomplish, and that is to eradicate Israel from the Middle East,” he said.
The airline said Tyk was asked to leave only after it was determined he was not authorized to be there. But Tyk said the employee, a senior customer service agent, never asked about his itinerary or his ticket.
“I was evicted from the lounge only because I was Jewish,” said Tyk.
In a letter to the chairman of British Airways, New York Attorney General Dennis Vacco wrote: “That a person should be so treated for the quiet observation of their most sacred religious beliefs is especially outrageous.”
Lampl said British Airways would send an apology to Tyk through Vacco.
Since airlines are not serving meals on domestic flights any more, they should give guidelines as to what they do allow people to bring on board. If they think fish is offensive it should say so in their guidebook.
mdlevine-
The reports only came from the girls themselves. There were no other witnesses that this “stopping and then waving on” happened. The girls might have imagined it, or interpreted another hand motion or gesture (maybe while on a cell phone call) as a wave to cross. It is feasible that this was anti-semitism, but is is just as feasible that it was not. By the way, the police department in North Miami Beach (where this happened) went from saying “We can not be sure that this is a hate crime.” to saying “This was not a hate crime, just an ordinary hit and run.” For all we know, it could’ve been a Jew driving the vehicle. I am not minimizing the pain of the experience, but we can’t be like other minorities who are always accusing everyone of hate crimes. It just isn’t wise. Let’s save those accusations for those times that we really are being “hated.”
As a manager of an office in Manhattan, I can tell you that we had one employee who started bringing in the absolute smelliest fish for luch twice a week. You literally couldn’t breath in the office, EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN.
I can’t begin to imagine what it was like on an airtight airplane!
Instead of earphones, they should have handed out noseplugs!!
DM that was beautiful. i really enjoyed reading something intelligent.
mbfl – if the girls that were hit made comments to the fact that they felt that they were attacked due to who they were, I would rather err in their favor as opposed to looking for the benefit of the doubt of the lowlife who struck them and took off.
regarding your comment “For all we know, it could’ve been a Jew driving the vehicle.” are their additional details that maybe you are privy too that the rest of us are not???
the fact that the police did not label it a hate crime or an anti-semitic act, is not proof that it wasn’t. remember y.rosenberg a’h – that wasn’t a hate crime either. the list goes on…and on…and on…
I cant count how many times I’ve flown on airplanes with pple eating horribly smelly treife food that I couldnt bare the smell (there was a little gagging) a candy in my mouth helped a little!! sheesh what is this world coming to!!
DM- yasher koach!
As for creating a guideline as to what food (of course no liquids) can and cannot be brought aboard, it is an impossible request. If for instance onion and garlic were eliminated (halacha even recognizes the distinct smells these emit), would that include onion powder and garlic powder? Every single ingredient would have to be determined and so forth, and without a gantze megillah with machlokes of meforshim on every nekudah, you could not expect such an intelligent and well thought-out “guideline” from TSA or anyone in a similar field.
Please, use saichel! (I once had an orange, and knowing that it may be problematic in closed quarters, I made sure to eat it before boarding the plane. Even still, I felt bad for the other people in the airport [although I was not sitting in close vicinity to anyone] only because it emits a STRONG, but not necessarily even OFFENSIVE, odor. Not trying to toot my own horn, as I did regret it in the end.)
Anyone want some HERRING? MAYBE A BISAL SHMALTZ OR MATZES? come on stop waisting your time on this stupid story that no one knows what really happened? tell us a vort soemone!
DM
INDEED A VERY WELL WRITTEN COMMENTARY..I ADMIRE YOUR STYLE….THAT SAID….AIRLINE CREWS NEED TO BE IN TOTAL CHARGE AND THE ORDERS THEY GIVE NEED TO BE FOLLOWED FOR ALL OF OUR COMFORT AND SAFETY…ANY PASSENGER BRINGING ON TO A PLANE FOOD THAT COULD FOWL THE AIR IS RUDE (JEW OR GENTILE) AND SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED PERIOD!
16- For the record, many airlines don’t serve peanuts bec of ppl who are severly allergic.
DM- Thank you for your intelligent words. Maybe you can knock some sense into those hotheads in Beis Shemesh.
DM, I agree 100% and YW editor–you are really doing a disservice by keeping that misleading headline.
We have to keep our head high. If our custom is to eat schmaltz herring with our hands then we should be proud of it and eat in on airplanes also. If they want to stop us then they’re a bunch of anti-semites and we should never give in.
I can’t stand the smell of cheese – and I have to put up with passengers eating their pizzas and cheeseburgers. And I’ve never seen or heard of anybody reprimanded for that, let alone threatened with being put off the plane.
DM: copy and paste v’hameivin yavin.
Yep, you are right. Saves typing time. (smile)
Dear Klall Yisroel
As a multi European traveller i feel i would like to add a comment.Sorry for my bad eglish.
1- Here in Europe we know we are in Goluss and we all know we are tolerated this is what H.has meant for us.
2- We learnt from the Godaul Hador Raw Kopellmann Shlite that we have to behave so as not only not to make a Chillul H. but try to make a Kiddush H.
A
As The Rosh Yeshivah was travelling with his wife o.h. to New York one of the Bochurim in the plane had a better place as on one side the Rosch Yeshiveh had his wife on the other side a non jewish lady so the Bocher offered his place to the Rosh Yeshiveh.The Rosh Yeshive asked you want to offer your better place, so i will give it to the Rebbezen as he did not want to offend the lady by leaving his place.
B
People wanted to dawen Shemoine Esre in the plane by standing in a corner , The Rosh Yeshiveh would never let it one had to dawen seated on one`s place as it might disturb.
C
Dine Demalchuso Dine we do not fight with authorities if it is not necessary so that the press who is anyway always busy with jews should have additional subjects to write .It hardly pays off.
D
I travel often from New York on flight ALITALIA to Milano where u.b many Jidden continued to Eretz Yisroel it is an overnight flight so people go to sleep.Beside keneine hore u. the jiddishe babies sometimes cry all night which a baby has a right to, you should see the process of jewish women going to the toil. with a head in their hands taking off the Scheitels and coming back with the tichels the non jewish passengers looking in horror at these heads with on top these scheitels.
I cannot describe everytime how embarassed i feel i look away so as not to see it.
Would it be so terrible for only one night to sleep in a scheitel these few hours???Or do have to behave in an airplane like in our bedroom at home?
The airplane provides us with Kosher food it is a courtesy that cost them additional work and we have to thank for it, if they do not let us take some simple food let us eat like Menschen and disturb as little as possible.
The way you eat is the way your are.How embarassing when they finally bring you the Kosher food you cheque the chechsher open it and give it back.
I came back yesterday from New York.Sometimes there are not enough Kosher foods as people forget to order or because of some misunderstandings you should see the scenario of angry jewish passengers i gladly give away mine and m y husbands on an 8 hour flight and eat some fruits candies or chocolate that i always take with in order to avoid Chillul H.
Jidden es kimmt ins gur nischt we want to be different do we not? Let us be different but better let us not show that we loose ourself for a bit of food let us be Menschen.
Raw Dünner o.h was my teacher in Teffiloh in the London Seminary.
Our first lesson was LEOILOM YEHE ODOM KOIDEM SEI A MENSCH.
We are the soldiers of H. army let us make HIM proud.And i.y.H when the Yeshieh will come the whole world will run to serv us.BIMHERO BEYOMEINU
Dear Derech Eretz,
Thank you for stating much of what I feel. I was Rov Kopellmann’s talmid in the Sharei Yosher in Boro Park before he moved to Switzerland. He had a way similar to my father’s AH, Meaning, as much of a godol, tzadik, and talmid chuchom that The Rosh Yeshiva is, he does not forget how to be a mensch, and how to have kovod habrios.
When my parents first came to meet with the Rosh Yeshiva to register me, (all three of us, my mother A’H, my father A’H and me) (wehad a late night appointment with him in the Yeshiva.), we did not know him, and walked into the Yeshiva and only saw a caretaker with a beard working hard, mopping the floor.
They asked this caretaker where they could find the Rosh Yeshiva, and we were told to go upstairs to the corner office and The Rosh Yeshiva would be there soon.
About 5 minutes later the Rosh Yeshiva arrived, and it was the same man, the “caretaker” who was mopping the Yeshiva floor downstairs.
He apologized for being late to the appointment, explaining that he had a phone call interrupting his cleaning of the downstairs. etc.,
Realizing that this man was THE Rosh Yeshiva, my mother very politely asked why if the janitor could not work that day. The Rosh Yeshiva said, “I am the Janitor.”
My mother asked him, “Why can’t you hire someone else to do this work, so you can spend more time learning?” (yes, my mother was a bit outspoken.)
The Rosh Yeshiva answered, “I should PAY someone else to do a mitzvah that I enjoy doing every night? ”
His Yeshiva in Boro Park was a combination Litvish/Chassidish. Many Chassidishe students, many “Rebbishe kinder” who knew how to learn and wanted to learn in the Litvisher derech HaLimud.
But, we had some Litvisher buchorim also.
Everyone got along perfectly. There was no thought of being otherwise. Chassidim were chassdim of many various Rebbes, and the Litvisher buchrim were of various backgrounds. ALL got along in the most friendly and respectful way.
Of course we were blessed to have two Torah GIANTS in such a small yeshiva. 1) The Rosh Yeshiva SHLITA and 2) the Mashgiach, Rov Shmuel Berenbaum SHLITA
Being in their combined presence often gave me goosebumps, from their high madraigas.
But… as I said, besides teaching Torah, they taught Menshlechkeit, and kovod to all of Hashem’s creations.
Derech Eretz, your written English may not be perfect but the words you write are beautiful!
fahrfrumt
In case you are not aware, it was my own post that I copied and pasted.
Ooops I meant HaRav Yosef Rosenblum Not HaRav Shmuel Berenbaum. Sorry, my bad.
This story is ridiculous. Anyone that has common courtesy will NOT eat fish in a plane, kosher or not. This story seems to be very embellished.
For what it’s worth. News reports say United Airlines is apologizing to the family and that the flight attendant and pilot acted inappropriately.
You wouldn’t want someone sitting next to you eating a smelly ham sandwich on an El Al flight. Use common sense. Gedolim have also paskened that it is ossur to make a minyan on a airplane where it disturbs flight attnednats and people using the restrooms. You should daven in your seat. Obviously if we have to forego a chiyuv of minyan in consideration of others,then how much more so a smelly fish dinner! The family was dead wrong and should apologize to fellow passengers for smelling up the plane.
I know this is an old post… but I remembered reading this story and decided to find it just to comment. Most of the commenters are correct, there is more to the story than your reading. Not everyone who wears a kippah is necessarily stable. This is unfortunate, it is a shame that such a chilul Hashem was made. What is more unfortunate is that this is not the first nor will it be the last time such a thing will occur with this man. I am just grateful that all the “anti-semitic attacks” and other altercations this man has been ‘victim’ to are not news worthy. I just hope his poor wife and children will be able to overcome such a hard life.