Haveil Havalim #53

Hello and welcome one and all to the 53rd edition of Haveil Havalim, the weekly Jewish/Israel Blog carnival. I'm a first-time host, so please accept my apologies if I missed one of your entries or good prospects!

Haveil Havalim can also be found at The Truth Laid Bear's ÜberCarnival.

Before getting to the specific articles, I'll start with a message of interest to all: The annual Jewish/Israeli Blog ("JIB") awards are now being held, sponsored by the Jerusalem Post and the Israellycool blog. Round one of the voting started on Monday 1/9 and runs through this Thursday 1/19. Many of the blogs listed below - and of course many other good ones - are nominated in one or more categories. Please go to the official JIB Web Page to vote!

And now, in keeping with yesterday's Torah reading of "Vayechi Yaakov", I dedicate this issue of Haveil Havalim L'chayim, To Life!

Torah - The Tree of Life

Modern Orthodox Woman explores Women and Talmud Study, and Maven Yavin expands to the broader topic of Women Learning Torah.

Ren Chaim HaQoton looks at Family Relations of the Avos.

Lab Rab delves into the concept of Providence (not the one in RI), while Presence shares thoughts on Avraham and Faith.

Jonathan Rosenblum (at Cross-Currents) examines Darwinism as a Religion. Emes Ve-Emunah Responds, as Does Not The Godol Hador.

Krum As A Bagel brings down Rabbinic sources on Torah and History, On The Main Line Discusses the same topic.

Maven Yavin analyses The Akeida, Sodom and the Etz HaDaas.

SerAndEz show the importance of Repentance and Renewal on the 10th of Teves.

On The Fringe examines Gender in Prayer.

OrthoMom talks about Shomer Shabbos Businesses (and Here's a cartoon that those businesses might want to use!)

Steg guides us to the Hidden Directions in Yaakov's blessings.

Jewish Current Issues compares Music, Mozart and the Torah.

Life In Israel

Inspired by The Muqata, we have musings and reminisces about aliyah this week from The Ignoble Experiment, Jack's Shack, Israel Perspectives, A Whispering Soul, If You Will It, Hear, O Israel and probably others I missed (I'm in the middle of one of my own but with all this HH work I didn't get to finish it!)

Meanwhile, life in Israel Goes On for Me-Ander.

Mirty begins a new series in her personal story, with not just One but Two segments about her life in Israel circa 1973-74.

Shiloh Musings reminds us who is really in charge of Israeli Politics and Weather.

Must Gum Addict (guest-blogging on The Muqata) reminisces about a memorable visit to Israel and Thursday Night Chulent.

Israel Perspectives shows us how we can learn Torah even from Israeli Stamps.

Adloyada describes an uplifting Shabbos With His Cousins in Shiloh. BlogHead fills us in with more background on this Inspiring Family.

On Life Support - Ariel Sharon

Mere Rhetoric has been providing regular updates; Here's the most recent.

Don's Mideast Musings appeals to horse sense in his Analysis of Sharon's Legacy, Soccer Dad gives us Many More Links to articles on the same topic.

The Muqata hopes for a Miracle (not only the obvious one).

Rabbi Yaakov Menken (at Cross-Currents) looks at the Armchair Doctors.

The Messy Life of Politics

Soccer Dad remembers Clinton's Broken Promises to Netanyahu. Daled Amos continues the story with other examples of US Pressure on Israel over the years.

Elder of Ziyon shares his clear-eyed views, as always, on the lies spouted by Hamas, the Saudis, and Other Jew-Haters.

Kesher Talk gives us a frank look at the New PLO "Diplomat".

Boker Tov Boulder exposes Saudi Influence at Columbia U and its ramifications.

The Ignoble Experiment Rediscovers Totalitarianism.

Pillage Idiot imagines the Conservative Rabbinic Assembly views on Roe vs. Wade.

Ocean Guy puts the pieces together on potential US Support for Israel in case of war.

Soccer Dad dissects the basic flaws in "the peace process" with The Middle East in Static Flux.

Jewish Lifecycle - Joys and Sorrows

A Simple Jew shows us the Remains of a Shtetl's Shul.

Lab Rab describes going to a Singles Shabbaton when one is already "attached".

Power Line remembers Milton Himmelfarb upon his recent passing.

Chayyei Sarah bids a tearful and touching Goodbye to Her Omi.

Moving On welcomes a New Baby Girl!

Ask Shifra presents Episode 3 of her ongoing Jewish soap opera.

Treppenwitz quotes a harsh, but hilarious Joke about a deathbed pastry request.

Kesher Talk visits his family's Final Resting Place in Gonzales, Texas.

Gedalia Litka (at Cross-Currents) Remembers His Grandparents as his daughter marries.

Seraphic Secret shares an Endless Moment at another wedding.

And last but not least, bringing us back to this week's parsha, Heichal HaNegina sings and kvells about Blessing the Children.