No not an April Fool although given the date of this article over at the DM I thought it was, but alas no this really is true (apparently), even the Jewish press (and here) have reported on it.
I'm kind of at a loss for words, dumbfounded and confused by this one perhaps someone could enlighten us? :-?
I'm kind of at a loss for words, dumbfounded and confused by this one perhaps someone could enlighten us? :-?
Full storyOrthodox Jewish man photographed covering himself in plastic bag during flight because faith forbids him to fly over cemeteries
- An Orthodox Jewish plane passenger was seen wrapped in a plastic bag during a flight
- It was believed the man is a Kohein, a religious descendant of the priests of ancient Israel, who are banned from flying over cemeteries
- Fellow passengers strained to see the unusual sight and took pictures
It is not unusual for people to have rituals when flying on a plane, like wearing a St Christopher chain or keeping their eyes closed until they take off.
But one passenger took his beliefs a step further by covering himself in a plastic bag for the whole of his journey because his religion forbids him to fly over cemeteries.
This was the bizarre sight that greeted plane passengers when an Orthodox Jewish man covered himself under a plastic sheet.
It was believed the man is a Kohein, a religious descendant of the priests of ancient Israel, who are banned from flying over cemeteries.
Many wrap themselves in plastic bags as a compromise measure.
The startling photograph, which has now gone viral after being posted on Reddit, shows fellow passengers straining over their seats to get a look.
Beneath his plastic wrapping, the man is dressed entirely in black, and appears to be wearing a Jewish skullcap or 'kippah'.
As a controversial solution - not entirely allowed by those in the Jewish Orthodox - the plastic bag creates a kind of barrier between the Kohein and the surrounding tumah, or impurity.
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser, of Temple Beit HaYam in Israel, explained: 'In orthodox and Conservative communities, Kohanim are expected to abstain from coming in contact with the dead, which includes a prohibition on visiting cemeteries except for the funerals of close relatives.'
Even if they can be secured by a seat belt, the passengers wouldn't be able to reach an oxygen mask or quickly escape the plane in the event of an emergency.
There is also the question of how they can breathe.
Pre-punched holes in the plastic are said to invalidate the barrier, according to Jewish newspaper YatedNe'eman.
