Question: Due to the current situation, there are simply no flights to Eretz Yisroel, and a number of people have been flying to Jordan or Egypt and from there travelling by car to Eretz Yisroel. This leads to a number of questions: 1) Is it ok for a Jew to dress up as an Arab so as not to endanger himself when traveling through Jordan or Egypt, or is this a problem of “going in the ways of non-Jews”? 2) Is it forbidden to enter into a potentially dangerous place? 3) Is a Jew allowed to say he is in Arab in order to enter into Eretz Yisroel?
Answer: The answer must be divided into three parts:
First of all, is it permissible to enter a dangerous place in order to enter Eretz Yisroel? Regarding the risk, it would seem to be permissible because it is not common to be complete danger over there, and the Gemara in (Pesachim 8:1) writes that one doesn’t need to be concerned about danger when it is isn’t a common occurrence. Also, some say today that the Jordanians do not kill Jews, but this of course depends and can’t be used as a blanket pesak since it depends on the situation. Although the Foreign Ministry in Israel says not to travel to Egypt and Jordan, because it is dangerous. Traveling for leisure would be a problem, but some say if he will be dressed up or traveling with a bodyguard there is no danger.
Regarding clothing, based on the pesak of the Shulchan Aruch (YD:157:2) if one is afraid that Gentiles will mistreat him, it is permissible to dress up as a Gentile. However, one shouldn’t dress up with clothing of avodah zarah. Regarding the issue of saying one is an oved avoda zorah, it is prohibited to say that one is a non-jew for the sake of avoiding danger, however, just to dress like a non-jew for that sake is permitted.
In regards to the prohibition of “going in the ways of the goyim”, the dress code of Muslims has similarities to some Jewish people’s dress code so one doesn’t have to suspect that he is transgressing that prohibition.
In conclusion: If one must travel through Egypt or Jordan to get back into Eretz Yisroel, and it doesn’t pose any specific danger, one is permitted to travel, and to dress like an Arab for his safety but is forbidden to say he is an Arab for this purpose. (R’ Skoczylas)
