Haveil Havalim #311 — The Warp and Woof Edition

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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Strangely enough, both the Conservative and Reform Rabbinic associations held their annual conventions this past week. Here are just a few posts on the RA (Las Vegas) and CCAR (NOLA) gatherings:

Thanks for the Memories, #CCAR!! (Sects and the City)
CCAR Official Convention Blog
The Future’s So Bright: Are Reform Rabbis Ready for the 21st Century? (Rabbi Marci Bellows)
Post-Katrina New Orleans (Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope>)
The Answer for Conservative Judaism’s Rebound (Rabbi Jason Miller)
And the Tweet streams: #CCAR11 and #RAConvLV

Without further ado…

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Torah

Though the author had self-categorized her post as “culture,” I am taking the liberty as this week’s host to place it here. As we are taught, in Tractate Sanhedrin 37a, that to save a life, it is as if one has saved a world. Batya sheds light on this imperative in Israel to the Rescue!

NY’s Funniest Rabbi has complied a terrific quiz…all answers from the book of Breisheet!!! Go on…see how well you do.

So, is there any true purpose for the existence of the evil inclination? Take a look at what A Chassidishe Farbrengen has to say.

The Rebbetzin’s Husband offers some excellent advice when it comes to the source of common sense.

And Parshablog wonders why there is no ‘famous’ derasha on Isha Ki Tazria as well as investigates why Rashi seems to be out-of-order.

Israel

There are definitely a few different schools of thought when it comes to seeking peace between Israel and her neighbours. Batya shares her POV over at Shiloh Musings. And watch out for getting news from Amira Hass, warns Yisrael (MyRightWord), who also questions the reporting by Linda Gradstein.

As always, Joel Katz keeps us apprised of all issues of Religion and State here and here. While Truth, Praise, and Help has been Deep in the Desert this week.

Tomer Devorah reminds us about the humanity found in the other. Ruti shares a moving and tender conversation between the old and the young. And Yisroel searingly describes what it is like when all of Israel mourns.

These next two entries show the lighter side of things. I have chosen not to create a separate humour category as I believe an Israel category ought to include both just as life in Israel includes both the serious and the humourous.

Over at Esser Agaroth, Yaakov wonders How Spicy Do You Like It?

Ruti shares a bus ride that truly can only happen in Israel.

Judaism

The Mikvah Lady has Left the Building explores marriage Beyond the Huppah.

This incident, reported over at Tzedek-Tzedek, is troubling for several reasons. What do you think? Tell David Morris if he made the right decision and whether or not he ought to take the matter further.

How do we maintain joy in the midst of suffering? The Jew in the City shares her thoughts.

With Pesach looming approaching, You’re Not Crazy offers this helpful timeline, while The Rebbetzin’s Husband offers an interesting perspective on Pesach and Death..

Wondering how to keep all of our Sages straight? Look at the study guide produced by the Masorti movement (via Blessed Little Bird)

Kashrut/Food

In Israel and in need of some home-style potato salad? Don’t make a move until you read Daniela’s review on a new offering.

With Pesach just a few weeks from now (eek!), we can all use some tips for preparation. Batya has some useful ones…as do the folks who have commented on her post, Simplifying Passover Cleaning.

Mara, over at Kosher on a Budget, has some delicious thoughts when it comes to Pesadik side dishes.

To help with cleaning, Daniela, over at Isreview, takes a careful look at San’s San Foam Dish-Soap

And, speaking of Pesach, let’s take a look at some adorable Pesach prep over at Homeshuling and Five Kid-Friendly Passover Ideas from the Minnesota Mamaleh.

Oh, and the Rebbetzin (of The Rebbetzin Rocks) has a few thoughts for Pesach shoppers.

Politics

News Beyond News has some definite opinions in Love Your Enemy?

Culture

Put on the music and see Batya dance in Lots More Than the Hora.

Racism is such an easy remark to throw around. Ruti asks us to think about it a bit more deeply

NY’s Funniest Rabbi is somewhat less than funny but equally as satisfying over here.
And תודה to Jacob Richman for making Hebrew more accessible with his new online program.

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Personal

What I love most about The Kvetching Editor is her frank and open exploration of her personal praxis. And Chavi does not disappoint with this week’s offering, A Chasidishe Woman Waxes Frum on Fly-Aways. Pesach is clearly on everyone’s mind as JaneTheWriter gives her take on The 30-Minute Seder. And if you happened to get a strange email from me on Wednesday, here is the sad, sad, explanation.

On Tuesday, I saw the following from A Mother in Israel, regarding the death of her father, ZTz”L. My heart skipped a beat. And then another. Knowing Hannah through the blogosphere, and by her married surname, I had no way of discovering the connection any sooner. For it seems that Hannah’s father was a beloved professor of my father and so many of my colleagues. At the consecration service the night before my father’s ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Dr. Wacholder addressed the group of men. He spoke of the many blessings that they, as rabbis, would bestow on others during their lives. Then he asked, “And who will bless the rabbis? The people will.” Words that hang in my father’s study and have been a guiding principle throughout these nearly forty years. Though he had a significant impact on the lives of his students, no one will feel his absence more than his family, as noted here by one of his granddaughters.

זכר צדיק לברכה — May the memory of the righteous be for blessing.
And may his name always be sweet on the lips of those who loved and respected him.

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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.