Most Visited Posts of 2009

Along with my most commented photo of 2009. Note that some of these posts were published before 2009.

Books:
– New Siddur to Be Published Soon
– Picking Out a Siddur
– New Koren Siddur: First Impressions
– Holocaust Project: Topics and Books
– The Litvaks

Recipes:
– My Vegeterian Biryani
– Vegetable Lasagna
– Brown Rice Recipes
– Chulent Recipes
– Quick Tomato Pie

Others:
– Another Israeli Film
– Flights and Kosher Meals
– Séraphine
– The Warsaw Ghetto Little Boy
– Hasidic Judaism, Antwerp & Pictures

Death & Birth – Musings & Questions

– My friend was buried on Tuesday. Two friends read addresses they had written; they were beautiful and, strangely enough, comforting. Then her nephew read a letter she had written a few weeks ago to be read during her funeral. Obviously this was very moving.

As my friend was Orthodox (as in Christian Orthodox) and since there is no Orthodox church in my hometown, the funeal wasn’t in a religious building. At the cemetery, however, a priest said a few words in Greek.

A few years ago I questioned my rabbi about attending a non-Jewish funeral. Living in a predominantly Christian culture, I felt the need for clarifications so that I knew how to deal with the funerals of the people who are dear to me. His advice helped me deal with the issue Do you attend the funeral of non-Jews? What are your limits?

– A friend of mine and his wife have just had a baby girl. They are waiting for the rabbi’s approval before she can be named. They have submitted a name, a double one in fact, and should get his answer pretty soon. Is anyone familiar with this custom?