Haveil Havalim #354: The Pesah 5772 Edition

ב Hol HaMo'ed Pesah 5772

It took me only four hours to clean for Pesah (Passover) this year, a lot longer than it should have. Having said that, knowing this information, how many of you would feel comfortable eating in my house?

What would you think if I told you that the halakhicly mandated portion of my Seder Pesah was was finished by 10:30 PM?

Better yet, what would you think, if I told you that I actually LIKE Pesah, experience its holiday joy, and look forward to it every year? (...and that's not just because I have it off from work)

You might think that I was a masochist, insane, or simply knew absolutely nothing about Judaism.

OR

...perhaps, I am actually quite knowledgeable regarding the Laws of Pesah, and adhere to them with little difficulty.

I'll let you decide.

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.'

Just one more thing, before we begin. I saw this floating around Facebook, and could not resist posting it here. In no way is it meant to minimalize the needs of those Jews going to bed hungry in Israel, and around the world. Let us make a point of helping them this Pesah and all year round.

"Also this year, there will be hundreds of thousands of people in Israel that do not have anything to eat this holiday. They are called Ashkenazim. Come, let's help them!"

The ruling that qitniyoth (legumes & various seeds) are permissible for ALL Jews to eat during Pesah applies only in Eretz Yisra'el.

'Nuff said. Now on with the show!

Pesah
(Passover)

Batya at Shilo Musings brings us a comic, a video, and her comments in Jews, All Kinds, The Four Sons Plus. She also shares some thoughts in That Empty Chair At The Passover Seder.

Jew In The City Allison Josephs, recommends that we Shake Off The Crumbs Of Laziness: Motivation In Matza.

I wrote When Passover Became A Holiday Again two years ago. I believe that its message still, very much applies.

U. S. President Obama's silliness is revealed in Tomer Devoah's Paro And The Pesah Seder.

Judaism

Lisa at Lamrot Hakol (Despite Everything) easily refutes a politically-correct (ie. Western-Galuth) position taken by DovBear in Rejoicing Over An Enemy's Downfall.

Susan from To Kiss A Mezuzah brings us Your Questions Answered #8.

The Jewish Fist reflects on the Zealous Heroes Of Masada And Their Message Of Truth.

Israel

News
Daled Amos brings us a Middle East Media Sampler. Ever heard of Helen Thomas?

Elder Of Ziyon reveals some more Lies From Hanieyeh.

Ariel talks back at The Torah Revolution about Neturei Karta, Shimon Peres, and the Golden Calf.

Batya at Shiloh Musings asks Barak Has No Mandate, So Why Is He Ruling?

Northern Lights reports on an Accidental Siren.

Mamilla Cemetery New Incitement is reported by The Real Jerusalem Streets.

Yoel Meltzer brings us an extensive Interview with Rabbi Moshe Tzuriel. Most of you have never even heard of him. Yet, he was at the Merkaz HaRav Yeshivah in the same class with such notable rabbis as Dov Lior and Zalman Melamed. His books on Rabbi A. Y. Kook were banned at one time at this same yeshiva, and then they weren't. Intrigued?

Aussie Dave presents his list of Anti-Israel Celebrities at Israelly Cool.

Life In Israel
Marina at A Letter From Israel writes about Sending A Child To The Army.

Rivka at Bat Aliya teaches us How To Bank (More) Like An Israeli.

Finally, Rafi at Life In Israel asks What Would Bibi Have Done, Had he Not Become Prime Minister (30 sec. video).

Hutz la'Aretz
(Outside of Israel)

News
Eric at The Israel Situation reports that the U. S. Supreme Court Says That Jerusalem May Be In Israel. My, they're slow! Meanwhile, Anthony at The Israel Situation reports on Unspeakable Tragedies.

What is a movie review doing in Haveil Havalim? Find out from Debbie Schlussel what "Holocaust Porn" is, and why you should not see the movie "In Darkness." (modesty alert-written content)

Wrap-Up

1. I chose not to include one very lovely photo-filled post, due to the message of support for those practicing a particular form of avodah zarah (See Ramba"m Hil. A"Z 9:4-uncensored version).

2. There was one other submission which I close not to include, as it seemed to be more like the promotion of a book and services than anything else.

The host has full discretion over which posts are included in his/her editions, as long as they do not call for Israel to be destroyed or otherwise cease to exist, or promote another religion besides Judaism.

Those are the rules.

When you host, you, too, will have full discretion over the content of your edition.

You are welcome to exclude any of my posts. Although I suggest that you first review the מצוה לא תעשה (negative commandment) "לא תיקום."

3. That being said, I believe that it is also time for me to explain why I have no intention of including posts from one blog in particular.

Susan will be hosting next week's edition at To Kiss A Mezuzah. Our new submission system is up and running! Give it a shot. If it's not working, Plan B is to submit your posts via Facebook personal message.

And speaking of Facebook, Jewish Bloggers are invited to join our Haveil Havalim Facebook Group.