Kohanim Warned Against El Al Flights From JFK

As Halachic Concerns Resurface

Kohanim planning to fly from JFK to Israel on El Al have been instructed to make other arrangements following a technical problem with the special equipment used to transport niftarim. The November 10 warning, issued on behalf of the rabbanim of Misaskim and Vaad Mishmeres Kehuna, directs Kohanim to avoid these flights until further notice and recommends departing from Newark Liberty International Airport instead.

For travelers holding tickets, the warning could mean changing flights, rearranging transportation, and facing unexpected expenses. It also brings renewed attention to a longstanding concern: accommodating Kohanim while allowing Jewish families to transport their loved ones to Eretz Yisrael for burial without unnecessary delays.

Under halachah, Kohanim are prohibited from contracting tumas meis, ritual impurity associated with the deceased, except in certain circumstances. The restriction extends beyond physical contact and can apply when a Kohen and a deceased person are beneath the same roof. This presents a concern when an aron is transported in an aircraft’s cargo hold beneath the passenger cabin.

To address the issue, Rav Yechezkel Roth zt”l, the Karlsburger Rav, issued a heter permitting Kohanim to travel under specific conditions. Each aron had to be placed inside a specially approved outer box and shrink-wrapped. Misaskim worked with El Al to monitor compliance, allowing Kohanim who relied on the ruling to travel on flights carrying niftarim.

The arrangement ran into trouble in December 2020, when Misaskim discovered that aronos were being loaded onto El Al aircraft at JFK without the required boxes. Rav Roth zt”l, who was niftar on March 7, 2021, withdrew the heter at the time and warned Kohanim against taking the affected flights.

El Al determined that the problem resulted from a shortage of boxes rather than a deliberate policy change. The airline arranged replacement supplies and announced a temporary suspension of aronos transportation from JFK. Plans were also made to maintain approximately two dozen emergency boxes at Misaskim’s warehouse to prevent another shortage.

A different problem arose in 2024, when El Al restricted aronos transportation on a particular JFK departure to accommodate Kohanim. The decision complicated arrangements for families seeking timely burial in Israel. Following discussions with Misaskim, the airline restored coffin transportation on the affected service effective October 1, 2024, while reaffirming the protective-box procedures established under Rav Roth’s original ruling.

The latest warning does not establish that the 2020 shortage has returned. The November 10 notice identifies a technical problem with the approved equipment but does not explain its nature or provide a timetable for correcting it.

Before the arrangement can resume, El Al and Misaskim would need to identify the problem and ensure that the equipment and handling procedures meet the established halachic requirements. The responsible rabbanim would then need to authorize the arrangement’s use. Possible measures include replacing equipment, strengthening cargo inspections, or temporarily suspending aronos transportation from JFK. Similar steps helped address earlier problems, but none has been confirmed as the solution this time.

Passengers with existing JFK reservations also face uncertainty. El Al has not publicly clarified whether affected Kohanim will be permitted to change their flights without additional fees or receive other accommodations.

For now, Kohanim should consult their Rav and contact El Al regarding departures from Newark before changing their reservations. The warning applies specifically to El Al flights from JFK to Israel, not all flights to Israel. Those considering other airlines or routes should seek appropriate halachic guidance.

Misaskim can be reached at 718-854-4548 for clarification. The warning remains in effect until the responsible rabbanim issue a further announcement.