BURN YOUR SIDDUR AWARD NOMINEE: As a die-hard Vikings fan, I've hated the Green Bay Packers for as long as I can remember, and they're unquestionably my least favorite team in all of pro sports not named "New York Yankees" or "Atlanta Braves." But last night, for the first time ever, I rooted for the Packers to win, even though a loss would have all but clinched a division title for the Vikes.
Brett Favre, you see, decided to play the game, despite the death the previous night of his father and coach, Irvin. And he had a career game, throwing for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay's 41-7 win over the Raiders. And even though it hurt the Vikings, and even though Donald Driver's four catches eliminated my fantasy team from contention, it was still hard not to root for Brett.
Not so happy for Fav-re was "Kosher Sex" author and World Net Daily columnist Rabbi Shmuely Boteach, who took the quarterback to task in a column today for "failing to honor his father." Never mind that Favre's family insisted that he play- Boteach believes that his decision to play was disrespectful not only of his father, but of himself, because:
In the Jewish religion, there is a mandatory period of seven days of mourning after the loss of a parent that must be observed before the mourner can resume his or her normal life. This period, known as Shiva (seven), is often mistakenly understood as being a time to show respect for the dead. But this is erroneous...
I fear the repercussions on Brett in not being afforded this time – of having been devastated on the inside and still having to smile for the cameras, and reach his receivers on the outside.