Havel-Havalim, The “Mama Rachel” Edition

Welcome to this week’s Havel-Havalim! I call it the “Mama Rachel” edition because this week was Rachel Imeinu’s Yahrzeit (the day the matriarch Rachel passed away). This mama’s name is also Rachel, so I thought it appropriate.

For those of you not familiar with Havel Havalim, here is a quick explanation:

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.’

Torah Thoughts: (Mostly written by women this week….)

Shorty writes about Lech-Lecha and bike racing…. and Leora writes about Vayera and hospitality.

Isramom shares her thoughts about Jewish couplehood. Batya has some interesting things to say about Samuel and David.

The Ten Commandments is the topic of this blog post by the Whited Sepulchre- see how long it takes you to spot the mistake….

IlaanaDavita writes about Parshat Vayera.

Eretz Yisrael after the flood – some interesting thoughts by Yechezkel.

Velveteen Rabbi offers a poem, and another interpretation of the Akeda. Dr. Susan Corso shares a story by the Baal Shem Tov.

There were many commemorations this week:

Rachel Imeinu’s Yahrzeit:

I posted a video made by Mystical Paths of a vist to Rachel Imeinu’s grave.

Kristalnacht (in Hebrew, Leil HaBdolach, in English, the Night of Broken Glass)

Shvach Yid shares with us his views on the Holocaust and and the Blame Game.

DaledAmos has a disturbing post about this here. Another related post is here.

Not directly related to this day in November, but a beautiful portrait of courageous Polish woman who saved 2500 Jewish children during the Holocaust.

Veterans Day was also this week, and Seraphic Secret recommends some great war movies (anyone care for some patriotism?)

Jack posts about the oldest living veteran in America…bli ayin hara!

The anniversary of the assisination of Yitchak Rabin

The blog the Jewish Fist has his take here. Treppenwitz is skeptical about what Shimon Peres had to say at the memorial on Saturday night.

EsserAgoroth posts about it too.

And, sort of related, Benji of What War Zone posts about a tragedy at Rabin square….

 

 

 

Carol Feldman

The Israeli scene:

Jewlicious posts about an explanation that comes about a year too late. Batya posts about a different kind of Pandora’s box.

Benji at What War Zone explains one reason why he loves Israel so much.

Batya tells us that the organization Movement for Quality Government is not leftist., and that the leftists are campaigning again….

Eric blogs about what he misses about Israel, and Rutimizrachi tells us why some places in Israel are better for us than others….

OntheFringe mulls her changing views on the settlements… and Jameel posts an “annoying” photo (I thought it was great…)

Local Israeli elections:

Shimshonit writes a very good post about the local elections that took place this week (before) and Batya writes here about the same topic, with pictures (after).

Cosmic X gives his take on the same topic, here.

Chesed:

Dixie-Yid calls for help for a friend’s son.

A terror victim from the Mercaz HaRav attack needs assistance, posted here at Yourish.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That….

The Rebbetzins husband does the right thing (and Kol HaKavod to him!). Orthonomics has a post about the the costs of a year in seminary, and the fact that those trying to make ends meet may cut this out. (For those of you not familiar with Orthonomics, she writes an excellent blog about finances in the Orthodox world. Highly recommended reading.)

Jack writes about holding a grudge – we can all relate! Baila writes about her happy camper.

 Jacob da Jew has some profound thoughts about what we do for our children.

ShiraBatSarah posts an interesting question.

Irina posts about a meaningless slogan. Toby points out a humorous sign. LifeinIsrael points out the conundrum of the day.

A Living Nadneyda writes about a “typical” workday.  Rutimizrachi links to a beautiful post written by her son.

Ezzie ponders the best way to introduce single friends to one another….

Cosmic X writest about something special that he has held on to for more than 24 years….

This submission is something beautiful, (pictured above) so it is with pleasure that I send you over to see Saturday morning coffee… and Carol gives us another Israeli slice of life here too. Nice blog.

For more beauty, check out the Jerusalamite’s views of the old city.

Toby sends us something for the better-late-than-never category (or is it?)

Elms in the Yard tells us about her adventures in making soap from olive oil (I never knew you could do that!)

Insomnia? Beneaththewings can relate. Ahuva shares with us the city of many hats.

Batya gets taken in by a “Trojan horse“… It’s Almost Supernatural writes about a very important book launch.

The world’s opinion of Islam is awful, and it is “our fault”.

Soccerdad writes about a new Jew, and Yechezkel shares with us a very funny (but subtle) satire on the Jewish scene…

Mrs. S. shares with us the pleasures of the stehmp… and Frum Satire asks, “do you own the right stroller?”

Frum Satire also gives us an example of a “Hot Chanie“. (Personally, this phenomenon strengthens my opinion that wigs might be ok according to the letter of the law, but they definitely are against the spirit. Long live scarves and hats!)

Cosmic X gives his opinion about the defeat of Proposition 8 in California.

DaledAmos asks whether we are in for a change, or the same old thing.

And, to end on a “high note”, Benji thinks the Jewish people are doomed….

That’s it for this week. Next week ImaontheBima hosts. Be sure to send in your submissions……

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