Haveil Havalim #306 — A MishMash

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.’”
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WOW — a lot of good stuff this week. Don’t just take my word for it…

Torah

Those who learn with me know that I am a huge fan of Ibn Ezra. I have been since I was introduced to him in preparation of becoming Bat Mitzvah. So it is no surprise that I truly enjoyed this take on Parashat Vayakhel over at ParshaBlog. I also found his post on which side one should sleep interesting…though somewhat upsetting as it seems I’m doing it all wrong.

Sometimes there are things that we need to not know…and for good reason. So says The Rebbetzin’s Husband in a lengthy (and TOTALLY worth it!) read.

Find out what this past week’s Torah portion, Vayakhel, has to teach us about parenting over at Parsha Parenting. And Marjorie Ingall wonders if Queen Esther is the best role model for our young daughters.

Life is uncertain. A Chassidishe Farbrengen warns against Postponing Mitzvos Until A Rainy Day. (By the same author, a good one from the archives about slippery slopes.)

Can a woman with no brothers say Kaddish for her deceased parents? Isramom provides us with the recent, and what I imagine to be somewhat controversial, psak from R. Ovadya Yosef.

Machon Shilo addresses the following: What is the halakhah regarding living within a Jewish community? What about living in or out of the Land Yisrael?

Shiloh Musings muses about Gadhafi’s status of legitimacy.

Israel

Jews really do come from the four corners of the earth. And then, sometimes, they get to come home. Israelity reports on the first Bnei Menashe to become an IDF Officer.

Over at Esser Aggaroth, Ben Yehuda asks Should We Apply Israeli Law to Judea and Samaria?

Tomer Devorah points out the calendrical irony of Iran’s movements during the period between Purim Katan and Purim.

Liberty’s Spirit shares some thoughts about what lessons we should take from the recent Egyptian uprising. Shiloh Musings also takes a look at the situation in the Middle East and how it is being reported as well as shares her recent experience on Mt. Zion.

With the political unrest surrounded Israel, it’s normal for those living outside the State to be concerned about family and friends residing in close proximaty. Bat Aliyah shares her perspective in The Eye of the Storm.

Here is a story that is just so interesting, from Israelity, about a gentleman who rode his bike to Jerusalem. From his home. In Belgium. (That’s 5,778 kilometres, if you’re wondering.) [Wonder if he saw the light rail go past, like Jacob Richman did?]

Actually, MOST stories from Israelity are interesting. Such as this one about the long-anticipated visit by the Chilean miners and their families.

And, once again, we have the incomparable Joel Katz to thank for keeping us up-to-date with issues of religion and state in Israel (here and here).

Judaism

How modern do you need YOUR Rabbi to be? The Rebbetzin’s Husband points out the pros and cons of connectivity and Sects and the City asks (and answers) Why Blog?

While we are on the topic of rabbis, what should one do when the rabbi of the congregation holds (and shares) political opinions that differ radically from one’s own? Liberty’s Spirit shares this condrum and the painful, but necessary, conclusion.

OK, I just love this post regarding the expression “Boruch HaShem,” found over at A Chassidishe Farbrengen. It’s the old “keva vs. kavannah” maklochet. If you’re going to say it, say it with feeling.

And speaking of old disagreements, To Kiss A Mezuzah revisits the old “free will vs. fate” debate in God’s Role in All This.

As if parenting wasn’t hard enough, The Mystery Woman shares an important lesson she learned from her son.

HSM always makes us think. This time, it’s about the Dress Code.

A really beautiful insight about perspective, weather, and the Holy One from Jew in the City.

Was it written in the stars? See what Ben Yehudah has to say about that.

When it comes to being Jewish, Sara reminds us that Judaism isn’t for Wimps.

Get ready to “unplug” with the Modern Jewish Mom.

Ilana-Davita takes us to an Oasis of Peace.

Over at Davar Acher, we see that there’s got to be some True Grit in Jewish Education.

Mazal tov to Rabbi Neil Fleischmann! His collection of haiku can be found here, along with other bits of wisdom.

And a mazal tov to Laurel Snyder for the publication of Nosh, Schlep, and Schluff: BabYiddish, which is reviewed over at Homeshuling.

Leah is up to something and I ask What If?

Kashrut/Food

The 2011 Kosher Food and Wine Experience, brought to us by HSM and Chavi, who deftly writes about food AND tznius-fashion in the same post!

Ever wonder what it is like to eat milk (or, in this case, cottage cheese) & honey in the Land of Milk & Honey? Daniela gives a review of a new product from Tnuva. And one on Nestle Fitness Bars. Because what good is milk without chocolate?

Politics

As Shira from On the Fringe remarked, “it’s a sad day, indeed, when the subject of conversion can be listed under the ‘Politics’ category.”

In case you hadn’t heard, Reform Rabbis were said to be dangerous and Rabbi Rachel Guevitz has something to say about that.

Personal

It is amazing how much influence a teacher can have on us. FrozenChallah honours the memory of a brilliant and passionate professor in I Knew Something Once.

The Minnesota Mamaleh has some news…

Learn the Cure for Tantrums over at Two Boychiks and a Meidele.

Jack’s been singing and dancing.
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And that concludes this week’s edition of Haveil Havalim. I hope that you enjoy reading these posts as much as I did!

Next week will be hosted by Esser Agaroth. You can participate in the next edition of HH by using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.