Saved by Shabbat: How One Man's Commitment to Jewish Law Spared His Life

When Faith Comes First

Four years after the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which tragically claimed the lives of all 239 passengers on board, Malaysian authorities announced that the search had officially ended. The global story, long shrouded in uncertainty, was once again in the headlines. But for one Jewish businessman, the news carried even deeper and more personal meaning.

According to a report by the travel site Dan’s Deals, the businessman had initially intended to book a seat on that very flight, which was scheduled to travel from Malaysia to China. But when his Orthodox Jewish travel agent realized the flight was scheduled for Shabbat, he refused to complete the booking.

“I’m terribly sorry,” the agent told his client. “I am Torah observant, and I cannot, in good conscience, sell tickets to a Jew for a flight that departs on Shabbat.”

The businessman thanked him for the explanation and decided he would go ahead and book the ticket on his own.

A Last-Minute Change — and a Miracle

But in a dramatic turn of events, the businessman changed his mind at the very last moment. Already at LAX airport and preparing to board his connecting flight, he emailed the agent: “Greetings from LAX. Boarding begins in 55 minutes. I’ve been rethinking everything. You were right. I’ve decided to be more mindful about religion.”

He canceled his plans to take the Friday night flight from Kuala Lumpur to China and even asked the travel agent for a recommendation on where he could stay for Shabbat meals.

Just a day later, international news broke of the flight’s disappearance, and the businessman immediately messaged his agent: “Oh my God. Have you heard what happened to MH370? I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s a real miracle. You saved my life. I don’t know how to thank you. We’ll talk next week.”

In response, the travel agent replied: “I’m glad things turned out this way for you. But I didn’t save your life. Hashem and the Shabbat did. You owe them, not me.”

Dan’s Deals included photos of the businessman and the agent, along with their email exchange, a striking reminder of how the sanctity of Shabbat can carry with it profound, even life-saving consequences.