Pictured: Orthodox Jewish man covers himself in PLASTIC BAG during flight

PUBLISHED: 15:55 EST, 11 April 2013 | UPDATED: 17:27 EST, 11 April 2013

A startling photo of a plane passenger who wrapped himself in a plastic bag for his flight has hit the internet.

The man dressed entirely in black beneath folds of plastic, sightly bows his head beneath the tied ends seen piled on his head. The passengers behind him strain to catch a look.

The photo was posted to Reddit on Thursday amid suggestions that the man is a Kohein, religious descendant of the priests of ancient Israel, who are banned from flying over cemeteries.

Many wrap themselves in plastic bags as a compromise measure.

Sight to see: This photo of a man who appears to be an Orthodox Jew shows him seated aboard a plane while wrapped in a plastic bag, drawing controversy and question on what for

WHY'S THAT MAN IN A PLASTIC BAG?

Kohanim (plural of Kohein) are the male-line descendants of the priests of ancient Israel

Descendants are shunned from flying over cemeteries and being in contact with the dead

Contact with the dead is believed to inflict him with impurity

Why a plastic bag?

Some consider that the bag provides a potential barrier from the impurities/dead

How can they breathe?

Pre-punched holes invalidate the barrier

If the kohein is putting on the bag and it accidentally rips some leniency to breathe is providedContact with the dead would consequently inflict him with impurity.

Problems:

Flights have been delayed or turned around because of the ensuing safety hazards

The passengers would not be able to reach an oxygen mask or quickly escape the plane in the event of an emergency

'In orthodox and Conservative communities, Kohanim,’ plural of Kohein ‘are expected to abstain from coming in contact with the dead, which includes a prohibition on visiting cemeteries except for the funerals of close relatives,’ Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser writes in an article for About.com.

More...

As a controversial solution - not entirely agreed upon even by those in the Jewish Orthodox - the plastic bag used by the man here, would create a kind of barrier between the kohein and the surrounding tumah, or impurity.

Some flights also go to great lengths to take specific paths to avoid cemeteries. Passengers can also be made aware in advance if a body will be aboard the plane in cargo.

Despite what could be seen as a solution, albeit unusual, flights have been delayed or turned around because they refused to carry the passenger wrapped in a bag out of safety concerns.

Even if they can be secured by a seat belt, the passengers wouldn't be able to reach an oxygen mask or quickly escape the plane in the event of an emergency.

Way around it? Israel's Ben Gurion airport is surrounded by small regional cemeteries, dotted in red, creating long concern for Orthodox Jews trying to fly into the airport

Also is the question of how they can breathe.

Pre-punched holes in the plastic are said to invalidate the barrier, according to Jewish newspaper YatedNe'eman.

'Only if when the kohein is putting on this bag it accidentally rips can there be some leniency,' the article claims.

'Kohanim have a duty to protect their taharah, purity,' according to the article. 'They have been bestowed with extra kedushah which makes them worth of being meshorsei Hashem. At times, there may be extra demands made upon them in order to maintain that standard of kedushah and taharah.'

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body bag ...

- Nova Scotia Guy , cole harbour, Canada, 12/4/2013 02:59

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people do some of the stupidest things in the name of religion.

- starlite , NYC, 12/4/2013 02:49

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Probably not a bad idea. I got bedbug bites on a plane once.

- Amy , Boston, 12/4/2013 02:44

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common' guys! Just because you don't understand him or his religion don't give him the name wacko. He is very devout in his beliefs and NOT hurting anyone.

- Dragonslayer , Stevensville, 12/4/2013 02:32

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interesting!

- Dragonslayer , Stevensville, 12/4/2013 02:29

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I'm surprised he was allowed to sit on the aisle. Anyone who may be a hindrance to those sitting outboard in their row-need to sit next to the window. On my flight-he would've been in a window seat, unless those next to him were empty for the flight.

- Evangeline , Ohio, United States, 12/4/2013 02:27

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now, how stupid is that?... sheesh

- Andrew_59 , Richmond VA, United States, 12/4/2013 02:24

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The whole world is a grave yard if you think about it...so what's the point? Roll around in a huge plastic bag for the rest of your life? Religion goes too far sometimes..

- bluestar52281 , Exoplanet, 12/4/2013 02:21

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So how/did he get in the bag and manage to tie it over his head and not suffocate, too? I don't buy it, although I find it ridiculous.

- PatV , FLA USA, 12/4/2013 01:59

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Wow, this is what you call dedication. I would be so embarrassed to have people see me like this. This seems to be a man made rule and one has to wonder why.

- Randy T , Anywhere USA, 12/4/2013 01:40

Click to rate Rating 19

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