Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival Round-up - Parshat Vayikra edition.

B'SD

2 Nisan, 5775

Woohoo, it's NISAN - the month of spiritual redemption. Hat tip: GOD!

And now, a word from the other sponsor of this blog:

Havel Havelim, the long running, weekly international Jewish blog carnival that has been appearing well over a decade. It was begun by Soccer Dad who no longer blogs. He coordinated it for quite a while. Now we use our facebook page to coordinate and publicize it. 

Next week's Havel Havelim will be hosted by Batya Medad of Shilo Musings. You can send in your links to shilohmuse@gmail.com with "HH" as subject and a short "blurb" about the post with a one-line description of your post and HH as "subject." Our weekly deadline is before Shabbat "your time." 

          You're also invited to send posts from other bloggers, not just yours. Thanks.

So, how'd you enjoy the clean-up this past week or so, allergic readers? I hope that you're breathing easily with all those non-allergenic household tips I shared with you. PS - please let me know how The Bathtub Trick works out for your oven racks.

How are your hands? Nails OK? Sure was a nail-biter of an election day this past Tuesday. 

Even GOOGLE Doodled about it.

V15 and other underhanded stuff sure Backfired.

While we're on the topic, can SOMEBODY please 

convince the powersthatwannabe 

to allow innovative Israelis to create 

user-friendly ELECTRONIC voting devices,

and to permit voters to USE them? 

The Start-up Nation has a few minuses in the

"Achievements" column.

Too many cardboard boxes and paper ballots 

go up in smoke or into thieving, scheming pockets.

As for the robo-calls, grrr...

False promises? Arrrghhh!!!!!

(translation of mocked-up Israeli voting ballots
for outtatowners: "The truth is, all politicians are liars.")

Sad to say, the Start-Up Nation
still votes by putting paper ballots
into paper envelopes that go into
cardboard ballot boxes.
Some malcontents use them for ashtrays
so they can influence the outcomes.

No matter how some people voted, 

they probably did not get 

all the results they wanted.

YACHAD had no chance against ballot thieves.

 (ah-heh-hehm!)

Lose with truth and right rather than gain with falsehood and wrong. 

— Maimonides

Let's laugh along with Karmieler
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S FUNNY 
ANECDOTE OF THE WEEK

The Chazon Ish in the 1950's gave 
a strong speech about how it was 
a mitzvah to vote in the upcoming 
elections. 

One of his students approached him 
after the speech and asked his Rebbe 
if the Rav felt that it was truly 
a mitzvah. 

When the Chazon Ish affirmed his decision, 
the student asked if this was a mitzvah 
just like eating Matza? 

The Chazon Ish responded "No, it is 
a mitzvah like eating Maror! 
JJ...

Let's get spiritual...

Rabbi Pinchas Winston cites the HUGE importance of an apparently tiny letter in Perceptions: Vayikra.

Rabbi Natan Slifkin has some Physics or Metaphysics? thoughts to share after we finish rubbing our eyes from the TOTAL ECLIPSE of the SUN.

Hmmm, I just realized that I'm friends with each of those men. We've been acquainted for years and years. I wonder what that can do for my IQ?

Anyway...

Calvin and Hobbes' sentiment above is my idea of a perfect intro for Tzivia MacLeod's contributions to this HH festival:

This… is how you should welcome olim.

How will you be greeted when you finally arrive here in Israel?  Or, if you’re already here, how were you greeted?  Was it a depressing, bewildering, lonely aliyah story (I’ve heard my share of those) or an upbeat, thrilled, amazing aliyah story?

REVIEW: Hebrew through story with author Leah Broderson

http://blog.aliyahland.com/2015/03/review-hebrew-through-story-with-author.html

I’ve found a Hebrew reading “coach” who is tough without being impossibly demanding.

What do otters have to do with Pesach? (aka Passover)

http://www.mamaland.org/2015/03/what-do-otters-have-to-do-with-pesach.html

After trying to find an animal that was cute but not cloyingly so, I came across this adorable otter.  And thus, Otter Passover was born.

HH regular Batya Medad has BUNCHES of stuff for us to read (don't hold back, Batya. Share your thoughts with us from now on. It's OK, we're friends!):

http://shilohmusings.blogspot.co.il/2015/03/the-revenge-of-barack-hussein-obama.html

http://shilohmusings.blogspot.co.il/2015/03/israeli-elections-2015-5775-prediction.html

http://me-ander.blogspot.co.il/2015/03/my-mom-my-hero-book-review.html

http://me-ander.blogspot.co.il/2015/03/better-late-than-never-unveiling.html

Now we can share the thoughts of other writers.

http://www.deprogramprogram.com/another-muhammad-al-dura_2

http://itsallfromhashem.blogspot.co.il/2015/03/a-day-off.html

http://www.benjilovitt.com/2015/03/the-day-after-election-thoughts/

http://israelseen.com/2015/03/19/israel-seen-what-is-israel-fighting-for/

http://www.kvetchingeditor.com/2015/03/mourning-my-bangs.html

http://www.mpaths.com/2015/03/land-or-torah.html

http://www.damaged-mirror.com/march-2015-jewish-book-carnival/

http://ben-tzion.com/2015/03/18/the-guilt-offering/

(wow, lotta content this time around... only a few more entries to go...)

My friend Miriam Green fills her rice pudding with love. Read this delicious Lost Kitchen blogpost and learn about Alzheimer's Disease, family and utter decency.

Jacob Richman puts us on alert with his PassoverEducational Resources and 348 Passover Videos (I'm not gonna count them, but you may if you wish. I trust Jacob).

Back to me, your HH hostess of the hour: 
Here's my plug for paying work. One look at my LinkedIn profile clues you in to my diverse writing skills. Best of all, I tend to beat the boss' deadlines. Yes, I tend to hand in my fact-checked work ahead of schedule so everybody can breathe more easily. No need for errata on my watch. I deal with reality and make it understandable.

Lego Pesach commercial (getchergiggleon!) HERE.

Didja check if the kids hid their 
cereals, 
sandwiches 

or popcorn 
in the air conditioner yet?

Here Comes Pesach Blues here!

Want to put your medical life in order, and still have a sense of humor when you need it? Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 




Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Find something to smile about.

Haveil Havallim Parshat Vayetzay Roundup!

B'SD

7 Kislev, 5775  

Chanuka happens in a few weeks and I sort of celebrated early at the start of the Kislev month.

Thanks to my friends Chava Levin and Batya Medad, I spent time in Shilo, home of the Mishkan last Shabbat. 

​​It was a spiritually spine-tingling time to be in Shilo at Rosh Chodesh. When the men announced the molad (astronomical moment of the new moon's "birth") as "AKHSHAV!" ("NOW!") during rosh chodesh (new month) tfilot (prayers) on Shabbat, I felt spiritually electrified. That confluence won't happen again for another 30 years, I believe. 

Batya Medad (she blogs at http://shilohmusings.blogspot.co.il/) told me that it's a special segula (special portent) for brakhot (blessings) and gosh I felt it. 

Here I am in the white coat, praying for the welfare of the world at large, with women who arrive at this site for the start of every Jewish month. That's Carralee Harwood from Eli, in the denim skirt and orange striped top.

Chava (a local) is in the blue and white snood.

As for praying at Tel Shilo (the archaeological site of Shilo) on Sunday, rosh chodesh (start of the new month), well, I had a mantra during my 3-hour bus ride back home: "I live in the holy land. I live a holy life. I live in the holy land. I live a holy life. I live in the holy land. I live a holy life..."

Miriam Blum, in the middle gave us a guided tour of the area, 

with fascinating information. 

Inside that building behind her are relics of 

several civilizations. 

All over the area, as in all over Israel, 

relics of conquerors are atop

what had been there in the first place: Jewish artifacts!

Miriam mentioned that the conquerors 

destroyed earlier structures without concern.

I responded that, no, they'd done it with
calculated contempt for their enemies.

(Remember Rabbi Sacks' words: 
"To be free, you must let go of hate.")

She agreed with me.

Let's move on. Real life acquaintance and IDF truck driver Sgt. Shem Tov Sasson brings us along for the ride and another of his excursions around the Israeli countryside in

Mitzpe Oded and Kever Yosef 

Long a beacon of good sense for the Jewish and wider worlds, Gail Winston carries on her late husband Manny's work. Check out the Jewish State Law coverage at

Gaza War Diary Mon. Nov. 24 Day 140 11pm

Oh, you want to know what the heck the Haveil Havalim thing is all about? OK, I borrowed this succinct explanation from fellow (fellowette?) HHer and former homie, Ruti Eastman:

.A blog carnival is a round-up of blog posts, sort of an internet magazine. 

Haveil Havalim is the most veteran of the Jewish blogger carnivals

and probably one of the longest running blog carnivals

Haveil Havalim, the international Jewish blog carnival, 

was established by Soccer Dad,

and was then run by Jack.

Now it is run via the HH facebook page. Anyone interested in contributing to Haveil Havavalim should join the group.

[The term “Haveil Havalim” is from Kohelet, Ecclesiastes, which was written by King Solomon. It means “Vanity of Vanities”.]

Back to me, YG again. My take on the Haveil Havalim phrase for Jewish blogging purposes is that no matter how we try to keep Am Yisrael on track with a pro-Israel, pro-Torah set of priorities, GOD will have the final say in everything. We mortals just do our best  ;^D

Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod shares lotsa good stuff with...

Israel's cheap coffee obsession!

The five-shekel coffee obsession started in the centre of the country, but it’s spreading out, propelled by chains like cofix – the original five-shekel fixed-price coffee joint.

Awesome new aliyah book:

http://blog.aliyahland.com/2014/11/wanna-see-something-cool-hint-it-book.html

How do you write a book about something as momentous as moving to Israel? One Facebook post, one bus ride, one limonana at a time.

From MAMALAND.BLOGSPOT.COM:

It would be a joke... if my foot didn't hurt so much:

http://ronypony.blogspot.ca/2014/11/my-mothers-favourite-joke.html

My problem is that it only hurts when I’m barefoot.  Put on a pair of shoes and I’m Wonder Woman.  I leave everybody in my dust.  Take them off… and I’m Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma, barely able to get out of bed.

Are you smarter than a third grader when it comes to mental illness?

http://ronypony.blogspot.ca/2014/11/9-phrases-youve-got-to-stop-saying.html

Some of these phrases are so deeply ingrained that you might not even realize you're talking about mental illness when you say them. 

Batya's back with "There are many of us who write/blog to stay sane." 

http://itsallfromhashem.blogspot.co.il/2014/11/my-coping-skills.html

Take out the hankie for this wonderful aliyah story.

http://www.headingupwards.com/2014/11/first-steps-in-new-land.html

My illustrated travel adventure. http://me-ander.blogspot.co.il/2014/11/winter.html

Basic hasbara (public relations, literally "explanation")  helps by knocking out the lying anti-semites.

http://shilohmusings.blogspot.co.il/2014/11/palestinian-history-101-curriculum-and.html

Feeling hungry for good food and some history, yet? 

Batya asks "Who remembers this cookbook?" Please read, comment and share, thanks.

http://me-ander.blogspot.co.il/2014/11/kosher-cookbook-memories-bring-on.html

Well I'm the HH hostess this week and I say "NO DESERT for the leftists!" Why? I read what Batya reveals: "That's the only way they could make their demands a reality. Please share if you agree, thanks."

http://shilohmusings.blogspot.co.il/2014/11/israeli-left-wants-communist.html

Ew. So-called Palestinians are Acting Sovereign. BEWARE! 

New HH participant Irene Rabinowitz seems to share my sentiments, somewhat. Check out her Times Of Israel Op-EDs!

OK, OKAY, I hear you. Let's focus more on upbeat content. Check out  Adam Hopkins' message:

My wife and I just made Aliyah last week. 

We are blogging about our adventure 

at www.headingupwards.com 

There are a couple new posts this week 

that people may find interesting.

Since it's almost Hanuka (Chanuka, spell it as you wish), how about making someone feel better with information on how to lower their medical costs, headaches and frustration over a medical or mental health/emotional situation? Give the gift that doctors recommend (click the cover to buy the E-book or print edition): 

BTW, do you know how many candles we use over the 8-day Chanuka holiday?

36! 

While we're on the subject, I'll refer you to a rabbi who shares fascinating information related to that: Rabbi Pinchas Winston. See his website. 

Quick! Click on Jacob Richman's "Only in Israel" Photos for a photographic treat!

Heartwarmer time: Miriam Green of the Beersheva AACI has a fantastic food & family blog about her mom's Alzheimer's situation. It leaves me teary-eyed each time I read it. This post salutes her dad. 

Ruti Mizrachi heals some aching hearts with her message "That we are all one family is evidenced by a love note, from one beleaguered community in Israel to another" here. 

The next HH host/ess is Tzivia  (Jennifer) MacLeod
http://aliyahland.com, so send your submissions to her via tzivia @ tzivia.com (repair the E-mail address by removing the spaces I put in to prevent spam from heading to her).

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Fill yourself with self-respect.

 

Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival Parshat Shemot edition!

B'SD

18 and 19 Tevet, 5773

From time to time I share the privilege of hostessing the Haveil Havalim blog roundup aka Carnival. Now that we Israelis have shaken off the Canadian winter that blew in here a week and a half or so ago, seen our municipal workers push MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SNOW out of the way (sort of) 

and enjoyed rising temperatures - our fingers thawed out and we can type! No more brain freeze-either. whew. 

Here we go with a majorly funny Snowball Effect - in a country without enough shovels (for snow and citizenry interested in clearing out some politicians):

Mr. Haveil Havalim himself, aka Esser Agarot, offers Naftali Bennett Misses the Boat.

Doug Greener shares "What Makes Beer Kosher?"  and ...

 The Snowy Jerusalem STRONG BEER Epilogue.

Ariel ben Yohanan looks at traffic through a spiritual/archaeological lens at London/Washington & Nahum Barnea.

Jacob Richman shares pix of the recent Israeli snow storm remnants! No kidding? We had a snowstorm? I'm wiped out from sliding all over black or white ice. Slippery stuff. It was hard to see without electricity...

Ya'aqov HH assures me and you that, yes indeedy, Israel had an Historic (DAMAGING) Snowstorm (sorry, school kids. You'll probably have to study the topic in your history books next time the new editions come out). 

I'm sure that many HHers would like to join Ya'aqov HH and heave a GINORMOUS snowball at the guilty party over John Kerry's Persistence.

Ruth Palatnik teaches us a thing or 2 about how to stick to your exercise/fitness goals no matter the weather or whatever in A Few Small Points. 

Ruth shares another life lesson At the Toy Store (it's very much like those in the happiness videos I shared at this very blog days ago. Keep up with the class, kids! Ruth and I are on to to something good).

Hmm, what would an HH blog Carnival be without Batya Medad's involvement? Insufficient, to tell the truth. Here are her looks at life: BIG Country, Small Country

Israel is a Jewish country at Heart (especially so during a BLIZZARD)

Batya's Snow Pix!

and... Neither Rain, Nor Sleet nor SNOW nor... 

Let's sign off with a few items: Another entry from Mr. HH-Esser Agorot, entitled Commenting on an IDF Facebook Photo

A word from our SPONSOR at this week's Torah portion, Parshat Shemot. 

Need to cheer up over that medical or mental health issue in your life? Buy the E-book or print edition of doctor-recommended EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Face life with increasing confidence, one baby step at a time.