Haveil Havalim #299

5 of the Eleventh Month 5771

Introduction

Welcome to Haveil Havalim Edition #299! It has been well over a year since I last hosted, due to some Internet connectivity issues that we do not need to get into right now. (Too boring) After such a long hosting hiatus, I am very happy to get back into the frey to do my part, instead of just throwing sending in my posts for someone else to deal with. Thank you very much to all of the hosts who have included them in their editions during the past year.

Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It's hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term 'Haveil Havalim,' which means "Vanity of Vanities," is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other 'excesses' and realized that it was nothing but 'hevel,' or in English, 'vanity.'

So, ups and downs aside, how has Haveil Havalim remained so successful?

Years ago, I asked Soccer Dad, and then later, Jack, what the HH policy was on post inclusion. I was told that hosts have full discretion on inclusion, and on commentary. The only caveat was that there should be no Israel-bashing bashing blogs included. Criticism of the Israeli government - yes; calls for Israel's destruction - no.

I am not a pluralist,...from far it. Yet, I strongly believe that Jews with differing views working together is the bottom line behind HH's success. Sometimes a particular issue will have a noticeable theme or skew to it, depending on the host. But, the following week could well provide a completely different one.

It is an interesting set of relationships we have been developing here. Do I include posts from people who disagree with me? Am I compromising my principles if I do? But, if I don't, then I sure can't expect them to include mine, right?

Velveteen Rabbi and I have [radically] different views on lots of things, and yet I would hate to think what my HH editions would be like without the inclusion of her weekly parashah-oriented poem.

On the other hand, Dan Ilouz and also disagree on quite a bit, and yet we both refer to ourselves as "Religious Zionists." Go figure....

Like I said, I am not a pluralist, far from it. But, if we take the time to look around and to listen (I mean REALLY listen), we can often be surprised at how much we really do have in common. Even if it's poetry or music, or a search for the best cappuccino in Israel, it's at least a start.

As they say, "It's a process." I don't know about you, but I am going to keep coming back to see how it continues to work out.

And, now, without any further adieu, I am proud to present Haveil Havalim edition #299.

Torah

Josh Waxman at the Parsha Blog brings us is always interesting parashath hashavu'a commentary in A Liver Is The Heart Of Pharaoh.

Comments on Parashath Bo also come from Amelah's Blog. Bringing Light Into Darkness is presented in memory of Amelah's grandmother Joan Blustein z"l who passed away 11 months ago.

Tomer Devorah has translated these important Messages From Rabbi Nir Ben-Artzi into English for us.

Israel

News

Debbie Schlussel comments on the UK Embassy Officials in Israel Who Sold Arms to HAMAS (to Attack Stadium).

On Shabbath, I was told about More Leftist Incitement in a religious neighborhood, which began a few minutes RIGHT before Shabbath. How conveeeeeeeeeeeeenient!

Eric at The Israel Situation reports on Abbas: No Jews In Palestinian State. Maybe it's just me, but that sounds like racism! (wink) He also lets us know that if Iran fires a missile at Israel, we have ten to twelve minutes to get ready. I was not aware of that. Pretty scary, huh?

Speaking of scary, what's bothering Tamar Yonah? Could it be that she is upset that her readers are none too happy that Christian-loving, Israel National News (Arutz 7) has turned over IP addresses of its commenters to the Shabba"k?

Jameel @ The Muqata reports on How Jawaher Abu Rahma Really Died. Batya at Shiloh Musings also chimes in here with So Easy To Lie.

Cosmic X In Jerusalem presents Amazing Scoop at Rotter.net: What is the Real Reason That Danny Rosen Wants to Sue Eli Yishai?

Harry at Israelity reports on Disney coming to Israel in Goofy And Pluto Find A Home In Haifa. Oy! He also reports on [Goyshe] New Year's At The Kotel. Apparently, Perez Hilton was in town, and couldn't even pick up the phone to call me! I'm insulted! If you get lost, you can use the New iPhone App Always Points To Jerusalem.

Moshe Katzav

Rafi at Life In Israel brings us one additional theory in Blaming Shas For Katzav.

Cosmic X In Jerusalem asks, and answers, the question Who Thinks Katzav May Be Innocent?

Jonathan Pollard

Rafi at Life In Israel brings us the Text Of The Letter PM Netanyahu Sent On Behalf Of Clemency.

Tomer Devorah would like you to help make this video viral to help get Jonathan Pollard released.

More About Israel

Dry Bones also weighs in on Jonathan Pollard.

Avi at Eretz Avot tells us about Marketing Israel.

Ruti Mizrachi at Ki Yachol Nuchal! vents her frustration in I Hear You, George Santayana.

Batya at Shiloh Musings comments on the recent fires in The Difference Between The Prisoner And The Prison Guard. Writing at Me-Ander, she tells us a little about the Israel [American] Football League.

Mrs. S. at Our Shiputzim gives us another lesson in Heblish.

Don't forget to read the appeal from Danny Halamish to support Honenu's Legal Defense Fund.

חוץ לארץ
(Outside of Israel)

Chavi at You're Not Crazy helps you to Plan Your Tzedakah/Charity for the 2011 Tax Year.

Elle at On Becoming Devoted recounts her experience, venturing into a Christian Coffee Shop in Beware The Coffee! She also tells us about The Un-Christmas Shabbos.

I must admit that I had to hold back the tears when I read The Mesh Of Our Sounds from Sheva at My Shtub.

The Rebbetzin's Husband goes Back To The Daf!

Lady Light at Tikkun Olam asks What Do The Talmud And The Chinese Have In Common?

Rivki at Life In The Married Lane gets some Much Needed Me Time at the museum.

יהדות
(Judaism)

Chavi at You're Not Crazy asks What Is The Ideal Conversion Process? (UPDATED Convert Questions)

Just Call Me Chaviva shares some of her Jewish journey with us in When Did You Know?

The Jewish Fist has A Pop Quiz For The RCA. That's the Rabbinical Council of America, and I do not think they are going to do very well on this quiz.

Ally at Modestly Fashioned tells us about Getting Comfortable With Covering Up.

Rivki at In

Cosmic X In Jerusalem points us to some sad news, and yet more hypocrisy, in K'nesseth in Einat Wilf's Sham and Shanty. Check out this post to see what exactly it has to do with Judaism.

Batya at Shiloh Musings presents Rosh Chodesh Shevat At Tel Shiloh.

Josh Waxman at the Parsha Blog presents The Rav, and Shadal, on Removing Yekum Purkan. And, by the way, I vote yes!

The Rebbetzin's Husband Does Not Want To Be Your Heter.

Rivki at Life In The Married Lane provides us with some Torah in the name of Rabbi Avigdor Miller z"l. in Torah Tuesdays, An A For Effort.

A Chassidishe Farbrengen brings us True Life - Bonding With HaShem, A Jew's Mission - Overcoming The World, and Don't Despair - Perfect Is Not Failure.

Lady Light at Tikkun Olam comments on an article from The Globe And Mail in Orthodoxy Or Secularism: Which Is More Fulfilling?

Education

Jacob Richman tells us about the educational resource he created at The Alef-Bet Page.

Music

Ruti Mizrachi at Ki Yachal Nuchal! reports on the Ayelet HaShachar concert in There is a Space for you... In the Fotress of Kindness.

Rivkah at Bat Aliyah also went to a couple of Concerts.

Humor/Commentary

Rabbi Dr. Michael Lemming, Rosh Yeshivath Har Shalom near Haifa weighs in on those Racist Rabbis of Tzfat from his blog Dancing Cousins.

The Jewish Fist comes clean regarding various Zionist conspiracies with We Have Other Plots.

Ima On The Bima has an old, Jewish Joke for us. And, by the way, it is still not too late too wish her Mazal Tov!

Elder Of Zion has become addicted to doing these.... Find out what he's talking about. (Hint: It's a fantastic poster!)

Aussie Dave at IsraellyCool also takes another crack at making a poster. Check it out! It's also cool.

I am embarrassed to admit that I laughed at the first video presented in Gefilte Fish, the Secret To A Good Marriage (Hebrew with English subtitles) at JewTribe. It was sent in by the My Panim Blog.

Meta-Blogging

Aussie Dave at IsraellyCool is hosting the 2011 Pro-Israel Blog-off. You had better hurry up, though, because submissions close this Tuesday!

Batya is hosting this month's Kosher Cooking Carnival at Me-Ander! It's the Finally Winter/Shvat Same'ach! Edition. Batya is also looking for more KCC hosts!

Adventures In Mamaland presents Jewish Homeschooling Blog Carnival #4.

The Kehila bloggers will soon be kicking off its new monthly schedule of blog carnivals, beginning with the Adar Alef Edition. The carnival is expected to be out every Rosh Hodesh, with the deadline for submissions set three days beforehand. But to submit a post for consideration, you must be a member of The Kehila! To become a member contact Eric @ The Israel Situation. You may submit posts via The Kehila on-line submission form.

I go away for just a year, and I have to come back to some unwanted changes. Ron at The Hasmonean has been taking a break since August, and Jacob Da Jew hasn't blogged since October! Soccer Dad himself has decided to go on hiatus,...for now. Well, people have to make choices which are good for them, so these bloggers have my full support, even though they are missed.

The good news is that The Hasmonean may be back as early as February, and you can still follow Jacob Da Jew on Twitter,...his mini-blog.

Also, Fearless Leader Jack is working out the kinks at his blog's new location. Check out this preview of posts.

Wrap-Up

Well, HH #299 is a wrap! To Kiss A Mezuzah will be hosting next week's edition. Please use the handy-dandy on-line submission form at Blog Carnival to send her your posts.

Anyone interested in hosting (It ain't so hard, and it's fun to do!) may contact Fearless Leader Jack via talktojacknow@sbcglobal.net.