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<p>Very often people make minyanimm on flights to Israel.</p>
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<p>The following if from <a href="https://goo.gl/j8hdXR">https://goo.gl/j8hdXR</a> and is a quote from
<em>Rabbi Hershel Schachter</em>.<br>
<br>
Another common mistake people make is regarding <em>davening</em> with a <em>minyan (on a plane)</em>. The Talmud emphasizes the importance of
<em>tefillah btzibur</em>; and one who <em>davens</em> with a <em>minyan</em> stands a much better chance of having his prayers answered than one who lacks a
<em>minyan</em>. However, it is highly improper for the <em>chazzan</em> of a <em>
minyan</em> on an airplane to shout at the top of his lungs to enable the other <em>
mispalelim</em> to hear him over the airplane noise, and thereby wake up all the passengers around him. It is true that there is a
<em>halachic</em> principle of <em>kofin al hamitzvos</em>, i.e. that <em>beis din</em> has an obligation to force people to observe the
<em>mitzvos</em> even when they're not interested in doing so, but this only applies when pressuring an individual will result in his becoming observant. However, when Orthodox Jews disturb non-observant Jewish passengers with their
<em>davening</em>, the non-observant passengers sill remain non-observant and now just have another point about which to be upset with the Orthodox. The practice of the Orthodox passengers under such circumstances appears simply as an act of harassment. Rather
than having accomplished the <em>hidur mitzvah</em> of <em>davening tefillah btzibur</em>, they have violated
<em>lifnei iver</em> by causing the non-observant passengers to become more antagonistic towards
<em>shemiras hamitzvos</em>. The shouting tone of voice employed by the <em>shaliach tzibbur</em> to overcome the noise on the airplane clearly does not constitute a
<em>kavod hatefillah</em>.<br>
<br>
The <em>halacha</em> states that when traveling, if it is too difficult to stand for
<em>shemoneh esrei</em> even the "<em>amidah</em>" may be recited while seated. On a short flight of an hour and a half to Canada it is more correct to
<em>daven</em> the entire <em>tefillah</em> while still buckled in, in a sitting position. On the long flight to
<em>Eretz Yisroel</em> it is healthier to not sit the entire time; walking around somewhat helps the blood circulation in one's legs. As such, there is nothing wrong with standing for
<em>shemoneh esrei</em>, provided that there's no turbulence at that time. However, it is still not proper to gather a
<em>minyan</em> together near the washrooms, disturbing all the other passengers and the stewardesses. As much as various Torah giants of our generation have expressed their opposition to such
<em>minyanim</em> on airplanes<a name="_ednref2"></a>[2], their message has not yet been accepted. We wish everyone a
<em>chag kasher v'sameach</em>, and all those traveling to <em>Eretz Yisroel</em> should have a safe trip, but keep in mind - these
<em>minyanim</em> are <em>shelo b'ratzon chachomim</em>!<br>
<br>
<br>
<a name="_edn2"></a>[2] Rav Shlomo Wahrman (<a href="https://www.torahweb.org/torah/special/2010/airplane-Rwharman.pdf">
<em>She'eiris Yosef</em></a> vol. 7, <em>siman</em> <a href="https://www.torahweb.org/torah/special/2010/airplane-Rwharman.pdf">
3</a>) quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (<em>Halichos Shlomo</em>, page 75), Rav Moshe Feinstein (<em>Igros Moshe Orach Chaim</em> vol. 4
<em>siman</em> 20), Rav Ovadiah Yosef, and Rav Shmuel Wosner all objecting to <em>
minyanim</em> on airplanes that disturb other passengers<br>
<br>
<br>
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