Oh, NOW, They're Upset...

Mossa'ei Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Wayeitze 5769

IDF soldier assaults Haaretz photographer in Hebron
by Amos Harel, Dec. 6, 2008

An Israeli photographer on assignment for Haaretz was assaulted by an Israel Defense Forces soldier in Hebron on Saturday. The photographer, Tess Scheflan, suffered light head injuries and was taken by an ambulance to hospital.

The IDF issued a response later Saturday, apologizing for the assault and emphasizing its stance that the soldier acted inappropriately, even if it emerges that he struck her after being attacked. (cont...)

What about all of the Jews in and around Beth HaShalom (Peace House) who were injured?

What about the ambulances which weren't let through to treat the wounded Jews?

What about the government storm troopers who went looking for Nadia Matar and Daniella Weiss,...and found at least one of them?

No, HaAretz only cares about the "injustices" to its own.

Now, you know why HaAretz has been nicknamed "Am HaAretz."

*********

HaAretz: "The Land [of Israel]"

Am HaAretz: "rif-raf"

Crescent News Network

10 of the Ninth Month 5768

I was reading Debbie Schlussel tonight, one of the few writers I read on a daily basis, when something caught my eye. Debbie wrote a piece on one of the, shall we say, extremely unhelpful people in the universe she's been tracking, Julie Meyers, nominee to head the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE]. In the process she referenced CNN, referring to it as the "Crescent News Network."

For a minute there, I thought it was hysterically funny, and clever. Then I realized how frighteningly true it was. It's no hidush (nothing new) to us in Israel, who when flipping the channels catch CNN at their deceit. No, it's not laziness, but deceit, thus the popularity of the bumper sticker (left). I, myself, have literally watched CNN report on events in Israel inaccurately, events I experienced personally, painting an Islamic-friendly, Israeli-bashing picture of things. Well, "inaccurate" would be a profound understatement.

During the Second Lebanon War, I came up with another idea for a bumper sticker. Some of CNN's "errors" seemed to be just too convenient. I'm not accusing them of anything, of course. I'm only speaking hypothetically. (eyes rolling).

It's 3:00 in the morning, I'm unemployed, and the money is running out. I'm reading Debbie Schlussel. What else would I be doing? Getting some sleep, so that I can get up at a decent hour and pound the pavement?

No. Why should I do that? I'd rather doctor CNN's logo, using only Graphic Converter, Debbie's clever reference, and my imagination.

For all I know something like this has already been done. But, I had fun making it anyway. Feel free to spread it around the Web. And, please make sure to credit me with a link to this post.


Oh, and, by the way, it turns out that there already is a "Crescent News Network." But, that's OK. We can start calling IT CNN for short.

Haveil Havalim #118

10 of the Third Month 5767



I would like to begin this edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival with some reflections,...some meta-blogging reflections.

But, first, I had better introduce and/or remind those of you reading this what the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is:

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 Soccer Dad. 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, 'vanities.'

Before I first hosted Haveil Havalim, only about four months ago with edition #101, a fellow blogger sent me the link to a blog entry, and asked me if I had seen it, yet.

I hadn't. It was somehow connected to a "Jewish" blog which I abhorred, and found to be juvenile, ridiculous, offensive, and horribly misguided. I previous had on-line "dealings" with the owner of that blog, and found this individual to be...juvenile, ridiculous, offensive, and horribly misguided. This got me thinking. What if this individual submitted a blog post to Haveil Havalim while it was my turn to host? It was suggested to me by the same experienced and helpful, fellow blogger who sent me that link, somewhat connected with that juvenile, ridiculous, offensive, and horribly misguided blogger, that while hosting, I would have to consider including submissions of ALL blog posts, even those with which I disagreed.

I am NOT a pluralist. Although I have some surprisingly open views regarding some issues, I have even more very narrow views on others, such as Torah and Israel. I have been called a "right-wing extremist," a "religious fanatic," and even a "Jewish terrorist" (See this cute post from Satiricohen). I'm not sure where they got that last one from, unless they witnessed me not so politely, giving various drivers of UN vehicles directions to Ben-Gurion International Airport, where they would be able to catch the next flight OUT of Israel. But, that couldn't possibly be an act of terrorism, as the laughter of the UN workers clearly indicated that they had not been terrorized. Besides, where I come from originally, that's just called civil disobedience. Go figure. But I digress....

I asked myself, as someone with such narrow views, "How could I possibly host a pluralistic blog carnival?"

It was too late. I had already made the commitment. "I need to follow though on my commitments" was the repetitive response resounding in my head. So, I took it upon myself as a challenge. Recently, I had been exercising my open-mindedness muscles. This would be a test of their tolerance and stamina.

Now, to me, open-mindedness means listening, or in this case reading, as well as trying to understand,...but not necessarily agreeing with everything I read or was trying to understand.

But, still I asked myself, "Wouldn't I be compromising my principles by condoning and supporting pluralism?" Even though I was only really organizing a series of opinions on issues, could I possibly allow myself to help publicize those blogs, with which I adamantly disagreed?

I'll be completely honest. I didn't know the answer to this question; I still don't know the answer to this question.

A few months pass, and guess what happens, a blog entry I had submitted, Pork Is Still Not Kosher, was rejected because it was "offensive." OK. So, it wouldn't be the first time that one of my blog entries was considered offensive. No big whoop.

But, wait a minute. Wasn't this supposed to be a pluralistic blog carnival? Not only that, but it was considered "offensive" by none other than someone who self-identifies as "religious" (Read: Orthodox) and "right-wing."

I asked Soccer Dad what the pluralistic story was. He basically said, "Nope. There really aren't any guidelines." He said it a lot more eloquently, though.

Why I didn't ask him this question about hosting guidelines four months ago, I have absolutely no idea. Just slipped my mind, I suppose.

But, now at least you know. The cat's out of the bag. Quite possibly, many of you are already best friends with the cat or hate the cat, and have already been making informed decisions about whether to volunteer to be a host,...or not.

No guidelines, not yet, at least....

Until then, I guess blog hosts can get away with holding readers hostage with long and involved introductions. Well, hey, you could've skipped it, right?

Meanwhile, I believe that Soccer Dad is wondering why I had to turn the nice, little cat, that was in the bag for some of us, into a potentially ferocious monster.

OK. Now, let's get to it....


Torah:

In light of the fortieth anniversay of the recapture, and subsequent giving up, of Har HaBayith (Temple Mount), Rabbi David Bar-Hayim gives us an overview of our connection with the Miqdash (Temple) as a nation.

Sultan Knish takes a look at who is a Jew, or rather...who is called "Yehudi."

Reb Chaim HaQoton examines the misswah of mezuzah, and its implications for women.

Liorah, Walking On Fire, provides her take on the Parshath haSotah, while Faith at "That's So Queer" delves into the prohibition against getting tattooed.

Rafi of Life In Israel reflects on some Halachic terminology which disturbs him.

Israel:

Batya's reflections In G-d's Honor move us into the Israel section of Haveil Havalim, as it truly exemplifies the connection between Torah and the Land. Her story of traveling and trying to get into Qever Rahel reminds us that life in Israel can be adventurous, yet challenging. Was the chaos intentional?

Another spiritual connection is made with the Land by Rabbi Neil Fleischman through his reflections and poetry in Jerusalem And Other Heart Thoughts

David Bernstein of The Volokh Conspiracy gives us two posts about life in Israel, one about the Iraqi Jewish experience and one about the true identity of some non-Jews, which will probably surprise you.

To add to the recent buzz and controversy surrounding Jewish-Christian dialog here in Israel, I find that Yisrael at My Right Word decided to give it a go, and if Israel IS a "Jewish state," Yisrael wants to know why people get excited when we demand rights for Jews.

Boker Tov, Boulder! gives her team recommendations for Israeli leadership, and I tell you why I believe that the National Religious Party has really done it this time. Batya at Me-Ander seems to agree with me,...at least in part.


Israel In The News:

First up in the news, Joe Settler wants to know who's reading your mail?

Avi at Tel-Chai Nation reports on the on-going battles of the IDF vs. Hamas YSh"W. Freedom Fighter at Joshuapundit analyzes the situation and Israel's choices, and gives his recommendations. Seawitch also gives an overview of recent events in and around Azza, but also covers Lebanon, in Palestinian & Lebanese Casualties.

Marty Peretz at The Spine wonders who those "Palestinian refugees" are anyway.

By the way, who are Palestinians anyway?

Schvach Yid chimes in with his take on the Middle East.

Meryl Yourish reminds us Why Checkpoints cannot be dismantled.

Posted at Barbara's Tchatzkahs Alana Suskin shows a much different take on Israeli policy in Yehudah and Shomron. Barbara also brings us Ralph Peters A Taste For Terror.

Then there's more on the Qassam Rocket Attacks from Back Spin.

And to wrap up news from the south, I wanted to make sure you are aware of No'am Bedein's work getting the news directly out of Sderoth, and into your homes. No'am is a student at the Sderoth College, and experiences the latest headline news first hand. His latest post is video special, "Behind The Headlines." (Thanks to Sultan Knish for pointing me to this link.)

Batya muses on one result of the rocket attacks.

Regardless of ones political and religious views, attending to the news in Israel can be intense. Only yesterday, there was a shoot out in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Armon HaNatziv, as Avi reports.

On the lighter side of things, Smooth Stone posts for us "Israel's Good Deeds Around the World" from the Israel Highway.

Israeli "Slices Of Life:"

Ra'anana Ramblings fruitlessly tries to tame her father-in-law's shopping habits in "These Bags Overfloweth."

Jameel @ The Muqata recounts the true story of a Hebrew word mix-up between father and son, which may cause you to do a double-take.

And, check in with West Bank Mama how your kids' sports teams may act a little differently in Israel than in other countries.

Baka Diary gives us The Good, The Bad and The Ugly sides of life in Israel.

Finally, Doodlehead gives the ultimate slice of life in Israel of a yeshivah bokhur with some stuff, no clocks.


With Torah and Israel, the combination of the two brings us to two recent holidays:

1. Shavu'oth, not only the Z'man Matan Torah (commemoration of the giving of Torah), but also Hag HaBikkurim, the bringing of the First Fruits in the Land of Israel to the Beth HaMiqdash and Hag HaQatzir, the festival of reaping, expressed in the bringing of the two breads made from the first reaping of wheat to Beth HaMiqdash as well.

2. Yom Yerushalayim, the day commemorating the recapture and reunification of Jerusalem, this year marking its fortieth year.

Shavu'oth:

Batya asks Do You? Or Don't You? (learn all Shavuot night). And Alan of Laz-A-Fare looks into this custom of learning all night and the full meaning of its connection with Shavu'oth.

Heaven Will Split, a nice Shavu'oth memory comes from Seraphic Secret

The next two could have been placed under humor, but since it's the season....

Hesh of Frum Satire gives us,...well,...a "unique" perspective on Shavu'oth.

Dzeni of "Not Quite Perfect" also lightens things up a bit with her Shavu'ot 5767 edition of the Sinai Star Journal.

Yom Yerushalayim:


Daniel Pinner discovers a hidden miracle of the Six Day War, forty years ago.

And, David Wilder reminds us that it was also the fortieth anniversary of the Liberation Of Hevron.



Aggadoth:
(stories)

Bloggers can be great story-tellers, so why not have a special story section?

But, before you read Rafi's "Good Sportsmanship," you had better get the kleenex.

Robert of Seraphic Secret also reminds us that Jewish aggadoth can be poignant and personal in "Ties That Bind."

News from Outside of the Homeland:

Jameel @ The Muqata reports on the NYPD harassment of a YU student, and "brings it home" with a comparison to a similar situation in Israel.

Jan at Secular Blasphemy reports on the Norwegian government's tricky business...with Hamas YSh"W.

Smooth Stone and Yid With Lid and have had about enough with Amnesty International or Am-Nasty International, as Yid calls it. Yid With Lid also reports on Holocaust records being opened and their implications for the future.

Bookworm reports on a Nobel Laureate who doesn't take a British boycott of Israeli products lying down.

Former US President Jimmy Carter was in the news this week. See what Yid says regarding President Carter's comments about a certain colleague, and what Cheat Seeking Missiles says about a ruckus being caused by his book.


Media Watch:

Here's a media bias item from My Right Word, this one on the Brazenly Balanced BBC.

Soccer Dad looks at the Washington Post's Post's Leap Of Logic, regarding the current predicament of the Israeli leadership.

And Yid With Lid looks into the mind of New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman.

Photo-trickery in Azza? Elder Of Zion thinks so in Three Photographers Two Wire Services

Omri at Mere Rhetoric wants to know the answer to the question: The Zionists Are So Evil They Even Stop Ambulances At Checkpoints. Why Would They Do Such A Thing? Don't worry. This is not one of those posts which challenged my open-mindedness.

Music:

Hey, guess whose birthday was just last week. I'll give you a hint: He's musical. For the answer, though, you'll have to ask Scott of the Powerline Blog.


Sports:

Did you know that the first Israeli was recently selected to play in the WNBA?

I was not aware of that. Read more about Shai Doron courtesy of Mark at Sportsyids.


Humor:

Satiricohen of the Israeli Satire Laboratory publishes a ground-breaking interview with a little known participant in a failed genocide attempt.

Snoopy The Goon at Simply Jews tries to put to rest some myths surrounding a Zionist plot.


Meta-Blogging:
(blogging about blogging)

Dag gives us a moving, personal experience of a great side benefit to the JBlogosphere.

Rabbi Without A Cause receives a threat of being "outted", and must defend himself,...in a very clever way. He also wasn't sure if this post should be categorized as Torah, humor, or neither. I say it's meta-blogging!

And, so now that this week's Meta-Blogging Edition (Have you figured out why I called it that, yet?) of the Haveilim Havalim has been concluded, you are probably wondering how challenging it was to my open-mindedness muscles. Well, to be honest, yes, it was challenging in places. But, I believe I was fair. In other words....

Please submit your complaints to the management.

By the way, who won this year's JIB Awards anyway?! Inquiring minds want to know....

Please send your posts for next week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival via the Blog Carnival Submission Form. I found this to be very helpful in organizing your posts this week. Plus, it doesn't look like we have a host for next week, so there wouldn't be any other place to send your links to. If you're interested in hosting please contact Soccer Dad at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.

...And speaking of blog carnivals, check out this month's Kosher Cooking Carnival hosted by Batya at Me-Ander, and the current edition of the bi-monthly JPix Blog Carnival hosted by Rafi at Life In Israel.

Haveil Havalim #101

18 of the Tenth Month 5767

Well, this is my first time hosting the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival. I'm actually not nervous about it. I'll just do the best I can,...then stand by and await your scrutiny and [hopefully constructive] criticism. What's the worst thing that could happen? I'll just be banned by Soccer Dad from hosting it ever again....

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 Soccer Dad. 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, 'vanities.'

So, I was thinking about what theme I should make for the 101st edition:

Haveil Havalim 101 (Alla a college course like Psych. 101 or Poly Sci. 101)
Post Hanukkah Blues (Nah, too late)
Preparing For Tu b'Sh'vat (Nah, too early)

After the snow fall in Israel a week and a half ago, I thought seriously about...

Only 73 Days Left Until Spring (Nah, I'm sure the snow-lovers will outnumber and overpower this "don't know from snow," native San Diegan)

Of course, there's always...

The First Haveil Havalim of the New Year

But HaZa"L (Our Sages, may their memories be for a blessing) only mention four new years (Mishnah Rosh HaShannah 1:1):

1 Nissan - the New Year of Kings
1 Ellul - the New Year for the tithing of the beasts
1 Tishrei - the New Year of the "Years," sabbatical and Jubilee years
15 Sh'vat - the New Year of the Trees (Beth Hillel)

January 1 isn't one of them. Here in Israel, I am sure you will not be surprised to hear that a bit, well, more than a bit, of European culture has snuck in through the back door. The day celebrated here with wild parties of drunken debauchery is called Sylvester, after the day dedicated to a leader of the catholic church of the same name. But, I seriously doubt that's what the catholic church had in mind. Yet, it does ring true to the reputation of Roman culture, located in what is now greater Europe (Read: New Roman Empire).

I don't know about you, but the only Sylvester I knew as a kid was Sylvester the Cat. I thought that I would call this edition of Haveil Havalim the Un-New Year's Edition, as Sylvester is not one of the afore-mentioned new years. Nah! Too obtuse....

OK, so then I thought I'd be clever and look up the 101st pasuq of Qoheleth, the book of origin of the the phrase "haveil havalim," and see what theme could be developed:

ה,יט כִּי לֹא הַרְבֵּה, יִזְכֹּר אֶת-יְמֵי חַיָּיו: כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים מַעֲנֶה, בְּשִׂמְחַת לִבּוֹ

5:19 For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Nah. Too bitter-sweet. So, I'll just leave it to you, then, and see if any particular theme develops out of the posts you send in.... OK. So, now that you've sent in your entries, I see that the theme is...

"Stop Messing Around with Themes, Ya'aqov, and Get it Done Already!"

Enjoy...

Torah:

Let us begin with Torah...

Backing up a bit in time, Avromi at Daf Notes Discussion provides us with Reb Oizer Alport's comments on last week's Parshath Wayigash. He also provides us with his notes on Mesekheth Rosh HaShannah (Bavli), daf 29 in "Power Of Tefillah."

Rafi at Life In Israel also reminds us of the important concept that dinim (legal stati) are not based on "feelings," or for that matter hashqafah (point of view),...whether I like it or not. In his entry Teddy Kollek's Legacy, he sets a good example for us by bringing in sources to back up his position.

Tradition:

Sheynah Galyan at Books and Beliefs has a question with which she would like some assistance concerning Rebbetzins.

Israel:

The Israel section begins with Dag who opines on the latest controversy in Israel, a decision regarding women's education in Haredi communities. A summary of this decision appears in the Ha'Aretz newspaper. And Batya sends us an additional opinion post on the matter, this one by Liel Liebowitz, posted at Holy Heresy.

Rafi updates us on another controversy, as he defends Rabbi Nosson Slifkin.

And speaking of controversy, Carl in Jerusalem updates us on the state of the State, and it doesn't seem to be doing so well:...the IDF searches for more options to defend the Negev, as the governemt won't really let it do its job, even though a think tank encourages the government to attack Azza. So, overall, the government isn't a terribly successful one, but reather a spineless one. But, if Prime Minister Olmert were to vacate his position, who would be there to take his place, do you think? None other than... And, don't miss the great photo on this post, courtesy of The Muqata, reminding us not to let the Orthodox Union of America [OU] off the hook! (Whew!)

Meanwhile, yet another scandal is brewing, or rather another tangled web is being woven: This one is related to taxes!

Nu? Who knew? Well, in Getting Closer, Batya at Shilo Musings didn't seem too surprised by the scandal. She also notes some criticism of the IDF command's handling of last summer's war. (That's right; it was a war.) She also takes time to reflect on life in her town of Shiloh, with "Not Even A Month?" and "From A Different Perspective." on Me-ander.

And speaking of taxes, Rafi reports on the new strategy being taken by the residents of S'deroth, who have been bombarded by rockets for the past two and a half years. They're "suing the state for backtaxes." Carl and Batya chime in on this one, too.

Yisrael at My Right Word suggests we learn from America's fence faux pas, and apply it to our own impending, idiotic fence disaster in Fence Overrunning; I've Told You So. He then exposes more idiocy in Throwing Good Money After Bad. He also sets the historical record straight in Finkelstein Flunks. Check out his cap off, or rather night cap, photo from Absolut.

And while we're busy dealings with our own issues, Glenn has to remind us with whom we're dealing on the outside.

But there are some important, non-political endeavors going in the Negev as well, Andy at Cozy Corner reports on Fishing In The Desert, covering one of my favorite topics -- Jews getting back in touch with the Land. Andy's entry combines two of Israel's crucial fields, agriculture and aquaculture.

Another important endeavor taking place in Israel is the repair work up in the North, where residents are still trying to recover from last summer's war with Hizbollah YSh"W. (Let's call it what it was, People,...it was a war.)

Some of you may not yet know Ben Baruch, creator of the Shabot 6000 comic strip. So, it's my pleasure to introduce you to him. Ben Baruch started a blog just over a year ago, and it's worth checking out. He covers every thing from the trendy, Jewish entertainment scene in New York to this week's post on a mission to the North of Israel to help in the recovery process. Shelter Life illustrates one of the projects, Jewish artists brightening up some of those dismal bomb shelter interiors. Check out his January, 2007 archive for more on this mission.

Marty Peretz at The New Republic provides his take on Teddy Kollek's legacy.

Now, moving from Israel to outside of Israel, Elder Of Zion provides us with evidence which suggests that a certain country has more of a chance of collapsing before Israel does. Can you guess which country that could be?

But, before we leave Israel, the Hedgehog Report updates us on the US Government's stalling the move of its embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. Batya notes the segregation of smokers,...finally, at the airport, as well as what the new arrivals are wearing on their feet, even though it's freezing!

From Outside of the Homeland:

Rondi at Wonkitties provides us two pieces of evidence as to why Jews really ARE in control of everything: Exhibit A & Exhibit B.

Erica tells us the intriguing, page-turner story of her first-hand encounter with a terrorist,... in New York!

Bagel Blogger brings us a very special story of his families' appreciation for Shabbath.

The Town Crier proudly gives us some Hanukkah highlights from the Munkatsh Yeshivah Choir. Yet, he doesn't deem like a happy camper, when it comes to the prospects of a John McCain Republican presidential candidacy. You'd better check out the honorable senator's views on Israel here before you cast your vote. The Town Crier also introduces us to Dr. Mandy Ganchrow's blog with his post "Morality/Populism and the Anti-Semites are at it again."

Sadly, Baleboosteh must report on Australia's Increase In Violent Anti-Semetic Attacks. And, according to Bagel Blogger, Australia also has its connection to Islamic terrorisim.

Also sadly, the Jewish Blogmeister reports on a tragic incident resulting from mixing alcohol and American New Year's celebrations, confirming my comments above. And, he has more bad news for us on the West Coast of the US with Self-Hating Jew trying to Kill other Jews in Iran.

Yet another suspicious element is the US is reported by Soccer Dad. Is it the Council For National Interest, or is the Council For Self Interest.

Dag uses January, 2007 to mark his "No Feminists..." Best Posts of the Year.

Even though this one's from a month ago, I'm posting Lisa's take on the not-so-Conservative Movement. I just wanted to make sure you knew about her fantastic blog, Lamrot Hakol (Despite Everything). Perhaps her background will allow you to accept her political-incorrectness, more so than from others!

Media Watch:

Snoopy the Goon at Simply Jews shoots a blast of reality into the fantasy world of the "international community," with "Another slip of a double tongue."

Health:

Linda at "Everyone Needs Therapy" takes a look at kids "Skipping School," how and why, and provides some suggestions to parents as to how to respond. She also includes some great diagrams which illustrate and help us to understand some of our family dynamics.

I chose to put this post by Smooth Stone under Health. Check out how the US is safeguarding its water supply, and you'll know why.

I'm putting this under Health, too. Neil Harris at Modern Uberdox shares with us a technique which has helped him to decrease the frequency of an undesired behavior in "Stretching my own Bechira Point."

Even as your "open-minded" (uh-hem!) blog host for this week, I still must exercise my professonal responsibility by mentioning that this technique will not work for every one, and will not work in every situation. We are all different, and our issues are all different. In addition, please bear in mind that if an issue causes you pain and/or anxiety, then it's up to you to decide its importance. Others may perceive your issue to be innocuous or serious, but they're not the ones who have to live with it. Follow Neil's example, and give yourself permission to seek help and support, professional or otherwise.

I guess I'll put Elie's post from Elie's Explosion here, too, as catharsis can be healing,...and so can people connecting wth each other. Please read "Uplifting."

Visual Arts:

These photos by A Simple Jew remind us that a picture truly is worth 1,000 words, and most certainly warrant their own topic heading. I would like to encourage other visual artists to join A Simple Jew in next week's edition.

Music:

Mottel at Letters of Thought gives his take on Jewish Reggae sensation Matisiyahu Has No Place To Be. (Those of you who know me know that I'm just itching to spell his name Matithiyahu. But, hey, it's his name, so I'll let go...this time!) And, I can't help but chime in here with my own Esser Agaroth (two cents). I think that raises up reggae music through the content of songs, and perhaps even provides Rashafarians with a tiqun. But that's just my Esser Agaroth.

Chaim at Life Of Rubin reviews Matisiyahu's recent appearance on the Tonight Show.

Humor:

Israelly Cool livens things up a bit with Top 10 Separated At Births.

Bagel Blogger reports on the current "cease fire" between Israel and the Arabs. And, his caption contest continues, so don't forget to send in your entries!

Misc.:

Snoopy the Goon at Simply Jews takes us on a unique, yet crucial journey, enlightening us as to the fate of a particular famous person's foreskin. (eyebrows raised!)

Pragmatician begins a series of marketing lessons. Part 1 involves studying your child.

Well, I am sure I will "get it" from those of of you on both the right AND left of the political and/or religous spectrum, but no I am NOT making a Saddam Hussein YSh"W section. Those of you who posted on his recent esecution are getting relegated to HH's "Misc." section. And, although I must admit, these posts were interesting, this guy is just not getting his own topic heading. Here are the links to Mottel's, Yekutiel Ben-Ya'akov's, and Carl's #1 and #2 respective posts. And, of course, I can't resist posting a link to a video of the Saddam Is Dead Party, held in Jerusalem this week.

But, an execution wasn't the only surprise in Baghdad. Check out Judeosphere's discovery in "Heir Apparent."

Ya'akov Ben-Moshe at Breath Of The Beast sends us a horror story, "My First Encounter with the Beast." Please pay close attention, and you'll realize just how scarey this story really is!

And, last but not least....I'd like to introduce a new term, which, of course, is not really new...

Meta-Blogging:
(blogging about blogging)

Jack at Random Thoughts writes about How Personal Should A Blog Be.

Batya wonders about what makes a good blog post.

And you can help Bagel Blogger "re-evolve" back into a flappy bird at "Life Is Too Cruel." It's all about ratings!

Well, as we say in Israel, v'zehu nigmar! (That's it; it's finished!)

Please send your posts for next week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival via the Blog Carnival Submission Form. I found this to be very helpful in organizing your posts this week. Plus, it doesn't look like we have a host for next week, so there wouldn't be any other place to send your links to. If you're interested in hosting please contact Soccer Dad at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.

And, finally I 'd like to thank Batya, Soccer Dad, and Bagel Blogger for their assistance and support in getting through my first Haveil Havalim!

I await your scrutiny.....

CNN Complicity? Or Parapraxisity?

Mossa'ei Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Ki Thesse 5766

So, there I was, minding my own busines,...well, sort of,...checking out something which Barry Zilberman suggested people check out, something about kids in Qiryath Sh'moneh collecting... and giving CNN an earfull about it, when I bumped into the following news item:


Israeli dies in rocket attack
A rocket attack near Nasariyah, Israel, killed one person. (August 2)


Is it me, or does Nasariyah sound just a little too much like Nasrallah YSh"W?

I mean, Netanyah was named for Natan (Strauss), right? And Hertzliyah was named for Hertzl, right?

Oh, I suppose some of you are worried about the missing "L"-sound from Nasariyah, and how that might poke a hole or two in my logic. So, let me remind you that the "allah" in Nasrallah simply means "God" or "of God" (leHavdil), just like, you guessed it, the Hebrew "yah." Get it now?

Now, of course, this simply could have been an innocent occurance of parapraxis (commonly referred to as a "Freudian slip"). It most definitely was not a typographical error, as we all know that CNN is incapable of such things. The only questions which remain are "Did CNN slip up in revealing the secret desires of Hizbollah YSh"W? Or did CNN slip up in revealing its own secret desires and interests?

Here in Israel, we are all familiar with those bumper stickers about CNN. So, I am sure it does not come as a surprise to any of us this latest "accident." But, are we now going to have to make new bumper stickers? And what should they say? "CNN slips?" "CNN routes for the Arabs?" Or how about "CNN Likes the Arabs?" That way we can do our part to protect the environment by reducing the amount of material produced. We'll just have to print the "K," cut the old bumper sticker, insert the the "K," and then add "the Arabs" at the bottom with a black marking pen.

Oh, and in case anyone wants to come after me with legal action for my hypothetical suggestions, please do. I could use the free publicity. Besides, I'll just say it was a [very extended] "Freudian slip."

All's fair in love and war,... and parapraxis.

Fire Phasers! On Lebanon?

14 of the Fifth Month 5766


Photos like this one have been popping up here and there, ever since the Reuters photo-doctoring scandal broke. Yes, I know it's shocking that anyone contributing to such a reputable institution as Reuters would do such a thing (sic.). Nonetheless....

One independent journalist (anonymity protected) was quoted as saying that this photo is an obvious fake due to the absence of a Star of David. That's pretty weak if you ask me. The Arabs would be the first to jump up and yell, "Zionist conspiracy! They purposely paint over their national insignia and jam their transponder frequencies in an attempt to escape identification."

As a Star Trek expert (ie "geek"), I feel it is my obligation to proclaim to you the irrefutable evidence that this is photo is a fake.

You see, the original USS Enterprise was a Constitution class starship, and thus unable to navigate through the earth's atmosphere. I know that it's very easy for you lay-people to get confused. Perhaps you recall witnessing the USS Voyager commanded by Capt. [now Admiral] Janeway, landing on the surface of various planets, and thought to yourself, "Hey, if the voyeur can land on an M-class planet, then so can the Enterprise. And, if the Enterprise can navigate through the earth's atmosphere, then maybe this photo isn't a fake after all." Wrong! These two space vessels are completely different classes of ship. The USS Voyager is an Intrepid class ship. It is a well-known fact the old Constitution class ship was not designed to navigate safely through planetary atmospheres.

Well, now that I've cleared that up for you, I must say that Sultan Knish and then Jameel @ The Muqata, among countless others I'm sure, beat me in posting this photo way before me. I, myself, received it from "Frodo" in Israel, via various middlemen.

(20 of the Fifth Month: This just in: It has been confirmed that Sultan Knish was indeed the creator of this mocked up photo. Apparently, in applying for a position at Reuters, the application asked for....)

But, hey, that's the whole point of this blog, to provide my infinitely invaluable and highly opinionated [I hope] "Esser Agaroth" on world events and life's little surprises. Of course, I'll probably be the only one to get sued for copyright infringement, or at the very least a nasty e-mail from StarTrek.com, canceling my subscription to its e-newsletter.

Stay tuned!

And, of course, may the almighty protect us, and grant us victory over our enemies. war is no laughing matter, but it often reveals some of those absurdities inherent in human behavior.

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