16 Jun HIGH ALTITUDE HALACHA: DAVENING ABOVE THE CLOUDS

As people preparing
to leave town for
vacation, this is a
good opportunity to
review some of the
halachot relevant to
praying on air travel.
A. Praying in the Airplane Aisles
One should not organize a minyan in the
aisles of an airplane if it interferes with other
passengers. Likewise, an individual should
not stand and pray in the aisle when doing so
obstructs those who need to pass.
Rav Elyashiv (cited in Vayishma Moshe, p.
31) was asked about passengers who organize
a minyan in the aisle of an airplane while
other passengers complain that it prevents
them from moving about freely, such as when
they need to access the restroom. He ruled
that since all passengers have equal rights to
use the aisles, a minyan should not be
conducted there, even if only one passenger
objects.
Similarly, Rabbi Shmuel Vosner (Shevet
HaLevi 11:25) ruled that one should recite the
portions of the Davening service while seated
in his assigned seat and stand for the Amidah
only near his seat, provided that he does not
interfere with other passengers. If even that is
not possible, it is preferable to recite the
Amidah while seated. This approach also
helps maintain proper concentration during
Davening and avoids issues of modesty and
inconvenience.
Rabbi S. Z. Auerbach (Halichot Shlomo,
Tefillah 8:2) likewise wrote that a person
traveling by plane should recite the Amidah
while seated in his place rather than in the
aisles, since standing there obstructs the
passage of others. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
(Igrot Moshe 4:20) also permitted praying
while seated when standing would be difficult
or would distract a person from proper
concentration.
In Belechtecha Baderech (p. 34), it is recorded
that Rabbi Yochanan Chayot, the rabbi of El
Al, asked Rabbi Vosner about a donor who
wished to provide a small Torah scroll and ark
for use during flights so that passengers could
conduct Torah readings and organized
Davening services. Rabbi Vosner responded
that this should not be done, as one should not
organize minyanim during flights.
The Yalkut Yosef (Tefillah 90:69, note 35)
records a practical example from Rabbi
Ovadia Yosef himself. According to his
testimony, Rabbi Ovadia declined to join a
minyan that had been organized on an
airplane.
B. Praying Near the Airplane Restrooms
One should not pray near the airplane
restrooms. This is due to three concerns:
unpleasant odors, obstruction of passenger
traffic, and issues of modesty.
First, restrooms often emit unpleasant odors,
especially when the door is opened. Since

halacha requires Davening to be recited in a
respectful and clean environment, one should
avoid praying in close proximity to the
lavatories.
Second, the area near the restrooms is one of
the busiest sections of the aircraft. Standing
there to pray may block access for passengers
who need to use the facilities. As noted earlier,
one may not obstruct the aisles or interfere
with the movement of other passengers, and
this concern is particularly acute near the
restrooms.
Finally, there is also an issue of modesty.
Throughout the flight, passengers—both men
and women—frequently enter and exit the
restroom area. Praying in such a location may
lead to distractions and is not conducive to the
proper dignity and concentration required for
Davening.
For all of these reasons, one should avoid
praying near the airplane restrooms and
instead pray in or near his seat whenever
possible.
C. Determining Davening Times While
Flying
The times for Davening while traveling by
airplane are determined according to the
location directly beneath the aircraft at that
moment. If one does not know his precise
location, he may rely on the sunrise and sunset
visible through the airplane window.
Nevertheless, it is preferable to wait until
daylight has reached the ground as well.
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe, 3:96)
writes that a traveler flying through the night
should consider daybreak to begin as soon as
daylight appears in his location. Conversely,
if daylight is delayed, the day does not begin
for him until it becomes light. Rabbi Feinstein
further explains that the usual calculations of
three hours for Keriat Shema and four hours
for Shacharit are difficult to apply during
flight, since the aircraft’s location changes
rapidly. Therefore, he recommends praying as
soon as sunrise occurs.
Rabbi Elyashiv (cited in Shvut Yitzchak,
Purim, p. 12) similarly maintained that a
passenger on an airplane is obligated in all
time-dependent mitzvot according to the
location beneath the aircraft. Thus, the times
for Keriat Shema, Davening, and other
mitzvot are determined by the place over
which the plane is flying.
D. Praying from a Siddur vs. an Electronic
Device
One should make an effort to pray from a
siddur rather than from an electronic device
such as a smartphone or tablet. However, if
one forgot to bring a siddur, he may pray
using an electronic device. If possible, he
should place the device in airplane mode or
disable notifications to prevent interruptions,
and ideally have only the Davening text
displayed.
There are several concerns associated with
praying from an electronic device:

1. Distraction Due to Holding the Device
The Gemara (Berachot 23b) teaches that a
person should not hold tefillin in his hand or a
Sefer Torah in his arm while praying. Rashi
explains that he may become distracted out of
concern that the item could fall, thereby
impairing his concentration.
According to Rashi, the concern applies
specifically to valuable items that cause
anxiety if dropped. Other authorities, cited by
Rabbeinu Yonah, maintain that one should not
hold any object during Davening, and the
examples given by the Gemara are merely
illustrative.
The Shulchan Aruch (96) rules in accordance
with Rashi:
“When one prays, he should not hold tefillin,
a sacred book, a bowl full of liquid, a knife,
money, or a loaf of bread, because his mind is
preoccupied lest they fall and his concentration
be disturbed.”
This concern applies not only to the Amidah
but also to Keriat Shema and Pesukei
DeZimrah, during which one is likewise
expected to maintain concentration.
Praying from a smartphone would seem
comparable to holding a siddur. The Shulchan
Aruch (96:2) explicitly permits holding a
siddur during Davening, since it is being used
for the Davening itself and therefore does not
create distraction. By the same reasoning, an
electronic device used solely as a siddur
would appear to be permissible.
2. Incoming Calls and Notifications
A second concern is that incoming calls, text
messages, emails, or notifications may
interrupt one’s concentration. For this reason,
it is advisable to place the device in airplane
mode or otherwise disable notifications
before beginning to pray.
Nevertheless, when necessary—such as while
traveling, in an airport, hotel, or other location
where a siddur is unavailable—it would
appear permissible to pray from an electronic
device. The prohibition against holding
objects during Davening applies primarily as
a preferred practice (lechatchilah); one who
prayed while holding such an item has
nevertheless fulfilled his obligation.
3. Marit Ayin (Appearance to Others)
A further concern is marit ayin. An observer
who sees someone looking at a phone during
Davening may assume that he is checking
messages or otherwise using the device for
non-Davening purposes.
Even so, when no siddur is available, it may
be permitted. In such circumstances, using the
device for Davening is justified, and the need
to pray properly outweighs concerns about
how the situation may appear to others.
E. When the Crew Instructs Passengers to
Sit Down
If a person is in the middle of praying and the
flight crew instructs passengers to return to

their seats and fasten their seatbelts, or if the
seatbelt warning light is activated, he must
immediately comply and continue his
Davening while seated.
The instructions of the flight crew are given
for the safety of all passengers and must be
followed. Therefore, even if one is in the
midst of the Amidah, he should return to his
seat, fasten his seatbelt, and continue praying
while seated rather than remain standing in
violation of the crew’s directions (Shevet
HaLevi 11:25).
F. One Who Feels Uncomfortable Wearing
Tefillin on a Flight
A person traveling on a flight surrounded by
non-Jewish passengers who feels
uncomfortable wearing tefillin during Keriat
Shema and Davening may pray without them
and put them on after landing.
Although the Shulchan Aruch (25:4) rules that
one should wear tefillin during Keriat Shema
and Davening, lest he appear to be testifying
falsely when reciting the verses that mention
tefillin, this requirement is not absolute in all
circumstances.
The Mishnah Berurah (25:14) explains that
this criticism applies primarily to someone
who deliberately delays putting on tefillin out
of laziness. However, when a person is unable
to wear tefillin due to circumstances beyond
his control—such as difficult travel
conditions, severe cold, or similar
impediments—he should not postpone Keriat
Shema until tefillin become available.
From this we learn that if a person feels
extremely uncomfortable wearing tefillin on
an airplane, it is preferable for him to recite
Keriat Shema and pray without them rather
than miss the proper time for Davening. After
landing, he should put on tefillin and recite
the appropriate passages.
This is especially true where there is a concern
for personal safety, such as traveling through
areas where there may be hostility toward
Jews or where openly displaying tefillin could
expose a person to harassment or danger. In
such situations, one should certainly refrain
from wearing tefillin until it is safe to do so.