An Orthodox Jewish couple was kicked off an American Airlines flight because they refused to place a Tefillin and Talis bag on the floor of the plane.
Roberto and Elana Birman were heading home from Miami on Flight 322 in August when the “humiliating” incident unfolded, they told The New York Post.
Roberto, 76, and Elana, 71, brought only a briefcase, a purse and his Tallis bag — a small, 8.5 inch-by-8.5-inch, clear plastic carrier for Roberto’s prayer book and shawl — onboard. They sat in aisle seats across from each other.
A flight attendant began checking overhead bins ahead of take-off, pulled the Tallis bag from the overhead bin, asked whose it was, and gave it back to Roberto, saying he had to place it under the seat.
When Roberto explained that according to religious beliefs the item is not allowed to be put on the floor, the attendant allegedly sniffed back, “it doesn’t matter.”
“She was screaming at me and pointing her finger,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe this was happening to me in America,” Roberto told the NY Post, noting, “We use these items every single day to pray.”
The Birmans were then forced off the airplane, without Roberto’s diabetes medication and without any help from the airline for food and lodging, they said.
They’re suing American Airlines for unspecified damages.
“My clients were ejected from the flight based on the prejudices and complete lack of sensitivity of American Airlines employees for reasons wholly unrelated to security,” said their lawyer, Brad Gerstman, adding, “The flight attendant and pilot’s conduct was as offensive as it was illogical.”
Were they possibly allowed by the airline to hold the bag on their lap?
Or landing
its,dinns,,de,malchuta?
How is American Airlines’ refusal to allow the tefillin bag in the overhead bin “dina d’malchusa”? It’s “dina d’American Airlines”!
That one must obey the government’s law. It is a huge misconception and myth. “Din” does not mean “law”, it means “judgment”; it refers only to the determination of who owns any given piece of property. Shmuel says that the kingdom’s laws for property ownership are valid, even if they contradict Choshen Mishpot. If the government says my house belongs to me, it does, and if it says it belongs to you then it does, and a beis din should rule that way. That is all. It has nothing to do with what we should do or not do.
Normally, I don’t have opinions on these matters until we hear both sides—which hasn’t happened yet. But given the frequency of these types of stories, I’ll take the liberty to say that the Jewish couple is probably omitting details, and they’re probably wrong. That’s it
First of all, I didn’t understand how your comment works, so let me paraphrase and see if I get it right: “I normally wouldn’t condemn someone before hearing his side of the story, but here I will condemn this elderly couple although…” – although what? Although you didn’t hear their side of the story? Their side is the only side you heard, and you just don’t like/believe it. Secondly, I would possibly agree with you, were this couple in their 20s or 30s, but given the fact that they are in their 70s(!), I find it hard to imagine them… Read more »
Totally agree..airlines let people hold entire babies in their laps..or they did until recently..and I don’t think even after everyone’s luggage was put up that an 8in bag would surely fit in the bin somewhere.
Delta and United have better service.
Why did the FA take it out of the overhead bin? The article implies they had put the bag up there so why couldn’t it be left there?
They ask that smaller bags be put on the floor to make room for the roll on bags which are plenty these days because they charge for bags.
this is what I call true jew hatred!!!!!!!!!!!
is it even legal?!
hope that flight attendant is punished severely!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then there’s no problem with putting it on the floor—even WITH Tefillin, if they’re double-wrapped it’s not an issue. Not that I agree with the way AA treated this couple, but it sounds like they could have complied
In the 5th book it says that people who are not proficient in the other 4 books (like air hostess) are to treat religious items with respect
Give a shiur going through all the possibilities and how to remedy if in that situation.
“Traveler Tips” or something.
For example, what to do when you need to use the restroom in an airport but nobody is able to hold your tefillin bag…. flight attendant says put your bag on the floor … you’re in the middle of davening and flight attendant says you must put away your tefillin immediately… etc.
Yes it is allowed if double wrapped. This happens all the time on planes. Nu nu. People should learn shulchan oruch.
This should be a Federal Civil Rights violation lawsuit. HISPANIC JEWS singled out.
Why was the flight attendant singling out their item?
Why was the religious explanation rejected?
Were any other passengers forced to remove items from overhead storage?
What kind of training is conducted by the airline?
So many questions and hopefully some employees will be taken to task and made an example of.
This will be settled out of court.
Finally someone taking a stand against these Airlines.
And that includes a decline in quality of customer service and decency in general.. and the targeting of those who represent decency and value of human life and dignity. Look back at any time in history: when society degenerates, antisemitism rises. American Airlines has been going downhill for a while now.
If this was a normal airline they would simply ask them (in a courteous manner) to put it in the overhead compartment. The tallis bag is exactly like a pillow or blanket, which I know from experience is NOT a problem- unless the employees DECIDED to make it a problem in this case. Hope the couple found a better airline.
Did you not read the post before commenting?! The stewardess took it OUT of the overhead bin and ordered them to put it on the floor.
Good topic for a shiur going through all the possibilities and how to remedy if in that situation.
“Traveler Tips” or something.
For example, what to do when you need to use the restroom in an airport but nobody is able to hold your tefillin bag…. flight attendant says put your bag on the floor … you’re in the middle of davening and flight attendant says you must put away your tefillin immediately… etc.
This Content Was Published at https://collive.com/couple-kicked-off-flight-for-refusing-to-place-tallis-bag-on-floor/#comments
They single out frum Jews!
I once traveled business class and for whatever reason they made me give them my purse to put overhead because it didn’t belong on the floor nor on my lap..so how crazy and opposite is this….
Almost identical to my experience. Going from Florida to Isip, I think in Southwest, the flight attendant told me not to put my tfillin bag in the overhead right when I boarded. after I saw the other passengers using the overhead, I put mine in too. Shortly after , the flight attendant angrily pulled it out and thrusted it onto my lap. She later passed by and ordered me to put it on the floor. Even the goyim around me were shocked. I said that this is holy material and I will not put it on the floor. The plane… Read more »
Thank you for standing up for kedusha and making a Kiddush H-sh-m.