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Miracles in the Sky
When a co-pilot attacked the captain on a flight full of Israelis, a wounded captain, quick-thinking passengers and two off-duty pilots brought the plane down safely. This Simchat Torah, we say thank you.
On Wednesday, 30 September, flydubai flight FZ1073 took off from Dubai for Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board, most of them Israelis.
According to reports, the co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit, stabbing him, and tried to bring the plane down. In about a minute the aircraft lost roughly half its altitude.
What happened next is why we are gathering on Simchat Torah to say thank you.
Wounded, the captain still managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers rushed in and restrained the attacker.
Two off-duty pilots happened to be on board, and they took the controls.
The plane made a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
No passenger was seriously hurt.
Israeli officials have said they strongly suspect a terror attack, and the investigation is still going on. Much is not yet known. But what we do know is enough to stop and recognise that this was not luck.
אֵין כָּאֵל יְשֻׁרוּן, רֹכֵב שָׁמַיִם בְּעֶזְרֶךָ וּבְגַאֲוָתוֹ שְׁחָקִים
“There is none like God, O Yeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His majesty the skies” (Devarim 33:26) — from Vezot Haberacha, the parashah we finish on Simchat Torah.
It is the same lesson Garry taught us at his Seudat Hodaya last month: before we ask for anything, we stop and say thank you.
First, we say thank you.
So this Simchat Torah, all Israelis in Toronto are invited to a special Seudat Hodaya at the Centre: hakafot, dancing, a festive meal and l’chaim for everyone, to thank Hashem for the miracles in the sky.
Motzei Shabbat, 3 October, 7:00pm · Merkaz Israeli, 7700 Bathurst St, Unit 1
Based on reports by CBS News, CNN, NBC News and NPR.