Haveil Havalim #328: The Back To School Edition

6 of the Sixth Month 5771

Most Jewish schools began their new term on Rosh Hodesh Ellul. Israeli public schools began theirs on September 1. Some North American universities began their semesters mid-August, others will begin mid-September. So, it seemed apt to name this the "Back To School" Edition."

It also happens to be my birthday Tuesday night. But, that would be just too tacky to call it "My Birthday Edition."

The sixth month, Ellul, is also a time of reflection on the previous year, and preparation for the next one. The shofar is blown daily, and Tehillim 27 is read twice daily.

א לְדָוִד: יְהוָה, אוֹרִי וְיִשְׁעִי--מִמִּי אִירָא; יְהוָה מָעוֹז-חַיַּי, מִמִּי אֶפְחָד. ב בִּקְרֹב עָלַי, מְרֵעִים-- לֶאֱכֹל אֶת-בְּשָׂרִי: צָרַי וְאֹיְבַי לִי; הֵמָּה כָשְׁלוּ וְנָפָלוּ....

1 [A Psalm] of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. (Read more...)

I have always found it to be an inspiring psalm.

Ellul is also a popular time for weddings. Many base this on the verse from the . as this month's letters form an acronym for a in The Song of Songs (6:3):

ג אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי, הָרֹעֶה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים.

3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine, that feeds among the lilies.

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.'

But, first a word from our sponsor...

This edition of Haveil Havalim is brought to you by NachlaOr, the musicians collective of Jerusalem's of creative and dynamic neighborhood of Nahla'oth, at Nachladorms, Jerusalem's newest Kosher Hostel and Dormitory.


No money was received, of course, just the "After-Shabbos" atmosphere created by local musicians, a comfortable place to sit and work, free water, and the free use of a wireless connection.

And, now, 0n with the show!

Torah

The Kalashnokover Rebbe presents There Is Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself - Parshas Shoftim.

I ask a question on Parashath Shofetim: Which Justice Will You Pursue? at Esser Agaroth.

The Velveteen Rabbi brings us How To Return: Heschel On Death (in the season of teshuvah).

Joshua Waxman brings us a kashruth lesson in The Hydrax As Ruminant at the Parsha Blog.

The Rebbetzin's Husband teaches us about Amram.

Metro Imma asks if we can derived Torah Lessons From Cartoons. Hmm.... I'm not so sure.

Israel

Sharon A's Looking Toward September at The Real Streets Of Jerusalem sets the tone, covering a broad range of events.

Look who's back after more than a three year hiatus! Israeli Satire Laboratory (AKA Satiracohen) introduces us to the Encyclopedia Of Jew Hating.

Rafi at Life In Israel tells us how the Jerusalem Post Fired Larry Derfner For His Support Of Murdering Israelis.

In a related post, Joe Settler @ The Muqata, brings us This Is The NIF. Although I am glad that Joe posted this, I believe that a good subtitle would have been "This Anti-Israel Fund."

The persecution of Jewish settlers and the cynical, political exploitation of Arabs by NGO's such as "Yesh Din" and "Peace Now" is explored by Jameel @ The Muqata in Justice Undone In Israeli Settlements.

Going back to an historical source, Mrs. S. at Our Shiputzim brings us a snippet from "Hertzl's Address." Personally, I believe that Hertzl's pedestal has been set much higher than it deserves to be.

More history comes to us from Kayla at Israelity in Journey From Josiah Wegewood To Kibbutz Ein Dor. Ever heard of the Shomer Hatza'ir Youth Movement?

On the other end of the spectrum, Tomer Devorah owes A Debt Of Gratitude to Rabbi Me'ir Kahane hy"d.

On another topic, I recommend that you check out Tomer Devorah Messages series. It will give you something to think about.

Batya, Shiloh's Muse, asks, "Will Jerusalem ever the same?" Gee. At least someone else besides me likes the new Jerusalem Light Rail. That reminds me. I have to write my Light Rail post already. Stay tuned!

Jacob at Good News From Israel also likes the Light Rail. Check out the video of his ride on it.

On a more serious note, Batya writes that there is Nothing Insidious About The IDF Preparing Jewish Communities For Arab Violence.

But, Yoel Meltzer sees the coming new Arab state as The Coming Opportunity.

This is also evident in the next post by Jameel @ The Muqata, which recounts the day's news in Terror In Israel.

David at Israelity has a rather different take on the Tel-Aviv terrorist attack in DJ Saved My Life. I am very worried about my brothers and sisters in Tel-Aviv whose mentality is like that of this DJ.

Yishma'el is hitting us physically from one side, while Esau is hitting us spiritually from the other, like this "Honored Guest" Of Samaria, posted here at Esser Agaroth.

Ariel at The Torah Revolution expresses his displeasure about this issue as well in So Called "Rabbis" And So Called "Leaders."

Daniella at Isreview reviews Jump's Lightly Carbonated Peach Iced Tea and MamaOf's Panko Coated Chicken Shnitzel.

Hutz la'Aretz
(Outside of Israel)

David at Jewish Boston brings Shofar Across Boston, as well as a link to your Boston High Holiday Guide. By the way, David, what does it mean, "The Wandering Is Over?" Boston is, of course, only a temporary layover until continuing on to Eretz Yisra'el. Do tell!

Last Wednesday brought The Rebbetzin's Husband The Relief Of the Shofar.

John Newmark at Transyvanian Dutch gives us At Historical Look At United Hebrew Synagogue - 1915.


Wrap-Up
Batya has the latest edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival at Me-Ander.

Just Call me Chaviva will be hosting next week's edition. You can submit posts via Blog Carnival's on-line submission form,...which appears to be working,...for now.