I had a discussion today with some students regarding a story that I found in my local newspaper.

It was about a 17-year old boy on a US Airways flight who went to put on the traditional Jewish prayer boxes, also known as Tefillin (Deut 11:18, “You shall put these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall tie them for a sign upon your arm, and they shall be as totafot between your eyes.”  There are other citations from Exodus), for his morning prayers.  He was on an early flight and wanted to make sure he fulfilled his ritual in the prescribed time.

A flight attendant saw the man putting on the prayer-filled boxes, and emergency procedures were taken as the plane diverted to Philadelphia.  Apparently the leather straps of the Tefillin resembled wires heading into the boxes.  After questioning, the man and his sister were released.

This story leaves me scratching my head.  Understand, some Jewish traditions reportedly go back over 5,000 years.  Jewish practice is the root of much in Christianity and Islam, and there are 15 million Jews in the world.

We live in a country that promotes religious tolerance, but is so unaware of so many religious practices.  This is not unusual, of course.  Not every religious ritual is known to every person, and I expect that 99% of Americans do not know what Tefillin are.

Ok.

But something strikes me as unfortunate about this whole affair, although I cannot quite put my finger on it.  I agree with a Rabbi who stated that we can’t be too careful, and that the air is no place to be educated about such things when it is a security matter.  Yes.  In these times we cannot be too careful.  But I find it interesting that no one on the plane, save for this man and his sister, knew what these boxes were, or spoke up about it.

Furthermore, the crew questioned him and said they did not get a clear response.  Now, I was not there.  I didn’t see the exchange.  But I am led to think, was the response not clear?  Or was it simply not understood?  I imagine when settlers first encountered the native cultures living in this land upon their arrival, the original cultures did not know guns or large, multi-masted ships right from the off.  I’m sure the first anthropologists into the jungles of South America or New Guinea did not understand all the customs and rites performed.  Religion is a multi-faceted diamond, sparkling in the light of culture, society, belief, practice, and person.  It is quite strong, but often delicate when confronted with the new.  And, as humans with limited experiences, we certainly can’t know all things about all peoples.

But this passenger was from White Plains, NY.  His religion is the basis of many that came after it.  He obviously practices his beliefs openly.  Did no one ever pay attention?

The study of religion…of the practice and histories of religion…is so important.  At least, I’ve always thought so.  I don’t expect every person to be an expert on the subject.  I’m no expert.  And I don’t know everything about everything, so I don’t expect others to.  And I don’t expect the TSA to loosen security measures in these dangerous times.

But maybe this one event can teach us something that goes deeper than one diverted plane.  In the end, maybe we should be a little more inquisitive, a little more open, and, hopefully, just a little more tolerant.

-josh