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Ohel Zaruk in Space

If a Cohen astronaut orbits the earth in a spacecraft, would he have a problem of ohel zorek?

Answer:

No, there would be no problem.

Poskim discuss the question of an ohel zaruk with regard to an airplane, and explain that the airplane does not have a problem of ohel zaruk, because it does not have any attachment with the ground, unlike an ohel on top of an animal, and so on.

See Shut Eretz Tzvi 1:93; see also Rav Chaim Brisker, Tumas Mes 11:5.

Of course, a spacecraft has even less connection with earth than a regular airplane.

So if you’re a Cohen preparing for takeoff, you needn’t have any tumah-related fears!


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