Israeli Tourists Denied Boarding with Torah Scroll Until Ticket Purchased
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Twenty Israeli tourists faced a two-hour delay in Hanoi, Vietnam, when an airline refused to let them board with a Torah scroll. The situation was resolved when a Menora Mivtachim executive purchased an extra ticket for the scroll, costing about $300. Coincidentally, the seats next to the scroll's carrier were found empty on the flight. The group proceeded to Northern Vietnam to use the scroll for religious services.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli tourists were delayed in Vietnam for nearly two hours trying to board a flight with a Torah scroll.
- Airline staff initially refused to allow the Torah scroll on the plane, citing lack of space.
- A Menora Mivtachim executive purchased an additional $300 ticket for the Torah scroll to resolve the issue.
- The group later found the seats next to the scroll's carrier unexpectedly empty on the flight.
- The incident occurred during a trip for Israeli insurance agents in Northern Vietnam.
A group of 20 Israeli insurance agents and their spouses encountered a significant delay at Hanoi airport in Vietnam when attempting to board a domestic flight to Northern Vietnam. Airline staff, unfamiliar with a Torah scroll, refused to allow the sacred object to be brought onto the plane, initially suggesting it be checked with luggage. The group, traveling as part of a Menora Mivtachim incentive trip, insisted they would not fly without the scroll, which was essential for their religious observance. Amit Kedmi, a senior vice president at an insurance agency, was carrying the scroll and explained its importance, but the airline personnel remained unyielding.
The standoff lasted nearly two hours until Shai Avissar, Deputy CEO of Menora Mivtachim, intervened. He authorized the purchase of an additional plane ticket for the Torah scroll, costing approximately $300, resolving the immediate crisis. Kedmi recounted that despite the purchased ticket, he held the scroll throughout the flight, as it did not require a separate seat.
Adding to the unusual situation, upon boarding, the group discovered that the two seats next to Kedmi were unexpectedly empty, as the original passengers did not show up for the flight. Kedmi described this as a "miracle" after the prolonged dispute. The group eventually reached their destination in Northern Vietnam, where they were able to use the Torah scroll for prayer services as intended.
Kedmi, who returned to Israel on Wednesday, stated that while the experience taught him the importance of better preparation for future trips, it would not deter him from bringing a Torah scroll on similar journeys. He emphasized that the incident, along with the beauty of Vietnam, made the overall travel experience even more memorable.