Tag Archives: shiva

Aligning the Planets

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Neil

I was returning from having a cup of coffee at the McDonald’s across the street when I encountered a white-haired elderly man who lived in my apartment building.  I didn’t remember his name, but I knew him from my youth … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, New York City | Tagged , , | 43 Comments

Man in the Mirror

Posted on October 2, 2005 by Neil

Every Friday night, a group of Jewish men meet in the apartment building I grew up in and greet the Sabbath.  Most of the men are older or find it difficult to travel to a temple.  Traditionally, you need ten … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

A Walk Around the Block

Posted on September 29, 2005 by Neil

Today was our last morning of sitting shiva.  In the Jewish tradition, at the end of the shiva, we are supposed to leave the house and walk once around the block.  None of us knew the reason for this tradition, … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

Modern Talmudic Question

Posted on September 27, 2005 by Neil

If a rabbi comes to make a shiva call and there are no available parking spaces outside so he parks "illegally" in the parking-lot of the next-door supermarket, is he required to buy something from the store or is it … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Sitting Shiva

Posted on September 26, 2005 by Neil

My friend, Barry, explained to me how the Catholic wake works:  the family sits facing the open casket for a couple of days.  In the beginning, everyone is all reverent being in the presence of the deceased.  By the end, … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments