PBS re-aired a Challenger documentary that was only about a year or so old a few days ago (recent, excellent program, btw). They said on it (and I’ll quote it as best I can remember)
Or words to that effect. Heartbreaking stuff 
Uncalled for raisinbread. Shirley was making an honest inquiry.
If any Jewish Dopers can elighten me, I’d like to know about special circumstances and the 24-hour burial tradition.
As I understand from various newscasters, the Jewish faith requires that the faithful be buried within 24 hours after death. Obviously, this will not be possible, given the fact that DNA analysis will take a while. But no newscasters have addressed what is done when a quick burial is not possible.
Is this tradition a requirement? What are the spiritual/religious-law ramifications of remaining unburied past the 24 hour limit? Is there a special dispensation given in extreme circumstances?
There are extenuating circumstances that would extend the 24-hour limit (actually, it’s before sunset the following day). Autopsy is one, and I’m sure something like DNA testing for identification would be considered autopsy. Transport would be another, and I’m sure that Col. Ramon’s family would want him buried in Israel.
Robin
Although I am not Jewish, I would be honored if someone put up a Star of David over my remains.
I think God is able to sort it all out.
Psst- read Jarbabyj’s explaination above. Some idiot called in during the live broadcast on CBS and said exactly what Jar quoted. Stern probably rebroadcast it on his show or something and Shirley saw it. Settle down already. You call people out in the Pit, not in MPSIMS, and usually after you’re sure that you are correct.
As to the OP, I was shocked that they actually found body parts- I was positive that they would have disintegrated upon re-entry.
JERUSALEM (AP) - The remains of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon have been found among the wreckage of the space shuttle Columbia and will be brought to Israel for burial, the Israeli army said Wednesday. NASA officials informed representatives of the Israeli army that the body of Ramon had been identified, the army said in a statement. The remains will be brought to Israel for a funeral in the coming days. Ramon’s body was one of four sets of remains that have been positively identified, Israel Radio reported. The DNA and jaw bone of Ramon’s body were checked to ensure that they were indeed his, the radio said. Israel had sent four ultra-Orthodox specialists to aide NASA in searching for the remains of the astronauts, which were scattered near the Texas-Louisiana state line. According to Jewish law, all parts of a Jewish person must be buried. If the body is not found, a funeral is not possible. On Sunday, NASA officials said there were at least three reports of body parts found in rural areas. Remains reportedly discovered in Texas include a skull, a torso, a thigh bone and a leg. More human remains were found Tuesday, and a resident of Vernon Parish, La., found fabric bearing a blue Star of David on a silver background, according to the local sheriff. Israeli newspapers reported Wednesday that the cloth was from an Israeli air force flag that Ramon had taken with him.
There’s not much to be done. You simply do the funeral when the body becomes available for burial. There’s no “punishment” for breaking this rule (especially in a case such as this where the delay is unavoidable).
Zev Steinhardt
If you look at Shirley’s post. On the part where the user name and location appears, down at the bottom is a time and date stamp for when the post was made. Looking at that tells me that it was made MONDAY 2/3, at about 45 past noon. I’m not sure when Mr. Stren is on as I don’t listen to him but I think the show could have been on at the time.