Haveil Havalim #54 Big and Beautiful

Hi gang,

I am pleased to host the latest and greatest edition of Haveil Havalim. During this past week I have tried to provide a nice sample of the finest that the JBlogosphere has to offer. I encourage you to take some time to read new blogs and introduce yourselves to new worlds to explore.

For those of you who can't wait a full week for a new roundup might want to check out Ezzie as he has a regular roundup that he pumps out. If nothing else he is in dire need of more tehillim as for some reason he roots for cleveland teams. And now for a definition of Haveil Havalim.

"Haveil Havalim is the 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 Kohelet, Ecclesiastes, which was written by King Solomon. 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.” (Thanks Ezzie and Batya)"

Politics
Elie starts us off on our roundup of some Jewish thoughts about Martlin Luther King with MLK on Zionism: Fact and Almost-Fact Steg cited Rav Abraham Joshua Heschel's remarks about MLK on this post.

Ren Reb spoke about the good doctor here and I shared my own post about him here. Read what the Jewish Atheist had to say. Or view Yo Yenta's take. Reb Chaim asks would it be so bad if in yeshiva kids were taught a little history of the civil rights movement and what King represented? I really appreciated the picture that I Still See A Spark In You had on her blog. The Orthodox Paradox is another Jblogger who shared their thoughts with us about MLK.

Life Events
Jews have Jdate but what do the fines folks in Hamas do? Ask AbbaGav about Hdate.
Speaking of dating it is pretty clear that it is going to be a while before Treppenwitz is ready for his daughter to begin dating, but what do you expect when you have female issues.

Along those lines I would counsel people to be careful around ranting women, not that there is anything wrong with that.

In the category of happy occasions The Shmata Queen's parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Want to read more about a real love story then you need to go visit Seraphic Secret and follow the tale of Robert and Karen. Shoshana's trip to Israel highlighted some of the changes that have taken place in her life over the past few years.

Westbank Mama's anniversary involved Shmatas but not the kind that the Shmata Queen uses. Elisson gives us all an education on Shalom Bayit. Ezzie is another blogger who like the Shmata Queen fled the mistake by the lake for nicer pastures. This week he enjoyed a quiet Shabbos. The great blogger meetup of 2006 hasn't occurred yet, but two famous JBloggers enjoyed a nice meal together. The Meme of Fours has infected many including: House of Joy, The Shmata Queen, The Jewish Freak, and Mommy's Going Meshuggah.

On a different tack altogether Shifra has offered an explanation for why men can't shower until the last minute but sadly neglected to answer why women need 19,876 pairs of shoes. Not to mention why 17,987 must be black. Lab Rab has a response to all of this.

I wonder if Elster has returned from the holy city of Miami. Once upon a time I used to drink close to 20 cups of coffee each day, now I rarely have it because my body just doesn't like the caffiene . A Simple Jew has his own reasons for his withdrawal. Read about it at Caffeine Detox - Part III.

Take a deep breath before you read the next two posts. Treppenwitz has a very touching story about some of the women in his family and his daughter's progression to maturity. Elie shares a beautiful tribute to his son Aaron.

On my own blog I shared the story of a dream I had.

Judaism

One of these days I do want to meet Reb Zalman Shachter-Shalomi. He sounds so interesting to me. Rachel has met him, want to know where and under what circumstances, read her post Witnessing my First Smicha, there. Rachel also blogged about being visible and the feeling she has putting on a kipah.

Back at the Shack I rambled on about moshiach and then Chaim picked up the ball and ran with it. Continuing down this path I also posted a few thoughts about being banished from Gan Eden.
At NY's Funniest Rabbi you can read about Shmot: The Painting of Moshe.
Orthomom has an interesting post about Charedi art. A Simple Jew has a guest post regarding the authenticity of the Zohar.

In a very special guest post at the Muqata Lab Rab writes about his song Do The Daily Daf. He even gave me a part to sing which probably means that he is deaf, but I digress. On a very different tract Modern Orthodox woman has a post relating to the halacha related to revirgination. Barefoot Jewess says that she loves those who question. Speaking of questions you might wonder about the Internet and rabbinic bans. Batya shared her thoughts on parsha Vayechi.

A Simple Jew offers us a Guest Posting From Rabbi Dovid Sears: The Authenticity of the Zohar.
Frume Sarah's world explores teaching and intelligence. Tanisha has a new feature on her blog called Jewish Fridays.

First there was speed dating and now there is speed davening. He is not a crumb, he is Krum as a Bagel and he is interested in MBP and Slifkin. Krum also has a disturbing story of out of control Charedim. Have you ever been curious about what happened to the Essenes. Well, Absolute Celibacy just might give you a clue.

On a different tack Shira Salomone is conservatively flippin out and Shanna is wigging out. On a different bat channel Irina asks about the davening dilemma. Toronto Pearl wrote about the Shabbos Queen. Akiva blogged about Hints and Prophecy.

Israel
Cosmic X links to a story that slams Israel's Israel's supreme court ruling regarding Jonathan Pollard. Unorthodox Jew blogs about Yigal Amir's request to artificially inseminate his partner. Treppnwitz shared some thoughts about Hebron as did Akiva. Allison also wrote about Hebron and the 'intifada' taking place there.

Soccer Dad blogged about Norway and their finance minister. Life In Israel asks Why Call Her Haredi? Elie says that he was inspired by a few posts to share his own Aliyah Contemplations. Batya is not a believer in Kadima. My Obiter Dicta posts about Jerusalem and his concerns about international guarantees. Yeshayah 62:1 spent time discussing demographic issues in Israel and the US.

If you are looking for a roundup of politics in Israel take a gander at Mere Rhetoric or stop by the Head Heeb. Elder of Ziyon offers Israel a roadmap to use with Hamas. Yourish blogs about The Guardian's Take on Hamas,The Mad Zionist wants to make sure that people understand that it is homicide and not suicide, Sometimes a bus ride is more than a bus ride, just ask Nathan.

Here is a new blog that looks interesting to me: "A Jewish "Settler" resident of the modern Jewish community of Shilo which grew up beside the site of ancient Biblical Shilo exchanges email messages with an Arab, resident of the village of Turmosayya, located in the valley beneath Shilo. Is there a place for true dialog between the two?"

Elder of Ziyon offers The Logical Song. Ze'ev has an interesting post about Israeli patriotism. He also thinks that Olmert needs to be watched carefully. Soccer Dad brings you Headlines from Israel. While still traveling through the Holy Land Batya has a post regarding Loyal Citizens who are in Danger. Where else but in Haveil Havalim would you find a GunsNRoses reference to Israel. Customer service in Israel? Who would have ever believed that this is not one of the many myths associated with the land. Click here.

Miscellaneous
Robbie faced the tin chair of death, but I wonder if we was wearing Bluetooth jewelry.
Chaim takes issue with Hollywood award shows but he was interested in discussing Elie Wiesel on the Oprah Winfrey show.

My Bald Sheitel writes about some of the fears a pregnant woman has in Tears in Heaven and after reading this post I understand better why she might be concerned now.

Penny Stock had what many of us concert goers want, All Access Passes.
Irina writes about being between two worlds and her interest in the Jblogosphere. And then she follows it up with her comment Says Who! Ezzie blogged about Utter Genius.

Daled Amos and Yourish both spent time reminiscing about their teaching days. Psychotoddler provides an excellent example of what can go wrong when doing laundry. Westbankmama has been having Escher moments. Jewish Blogmeister shares the story of bringing Shabbat to our appliances.

Knocking on the Golden Door educates us all regarding Yiddish Semantics while Yitz provides a post about THE YAHRZEIT OF THE "BNEI YISSASCHAR" and his music.

Batya had a busy trip to NYC where she was honored. Biur Chametz made it to Texas. Have you ever eaten a Squinerapple? I haven't either, but it sounds interesting. The Bruce Dickinson made an appearance on my blog because sometimes everyone needs more cowbell.

If you are looking for new blogs to read you should stop by a Whispering Soul and read the profiles he has compiled of various Jewish bloggers. And if you find yourself suffering from insomnia Mirty is ready to offer her patented oven test cure. Or maybe you might want to read about Annabel and the cradle episode.

Daled Amos has an interesting post called Science Vs. Religion. If you are looking for a new hobby you might consider speaking to Sushi Kiddush. Boker Tov Boulder provides the full text of Bin Laden's latest screed.

On a lighter note I provided a quick snapshot of the music I blogged to. And on a darker note Daled Amos wonders about the dark side of Dr. Seuss. Don't upset AbbaGav or he might sick his gang on you, those Geeks are dangerous. It really is Gnome Matter. Is Jack Bauer Jewish?

Is it just me or does Dear Dr. Bean sound like an advice column. Some bloggers would probably be upset that Aussie Dave uses the force when he goes bowling. ;)

A Special Announcement- Hear Ye, Hear Ye. I am pleased to announce the Kosher Cooking Carnival.

One more note. As I mentioned before there are many fine blogs out there and I offer my apologies if you were not included this week, so I strongly encourage you to reach out and offer your words/comments/insights for the next HH.

If you are interested in submitting a post for the next Haveil Havalim contact the fine folks at Kesher Talk. Email Judith at admin-at-keshertalk-dot-com. If you want to host Haveil Havalim contact Soccer Dad at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.

(linked to the Ubercarnival at Truth Laid Bear)