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August 03, 2008
Best of the Jewish Blogosphere #176: The Dirty Laundry Edition
Marilyn Monroe says: This is just a silly publicity photo.
I actually can read. And ooooh, I just adore Haveil Havalim.
Baruch Ha-Shem. I can dump the L.A. Times AKA We Hate Jews But Call it Progressive anti-Zionism, castaway The New York Times AKA Obama Election Headquarters, and get some real news.
For my readers who don't speak Yiddish: Frum means observant.
As in: I'm so frum that I don't do laundry during the Nine Days.
The Nine Days are the first nine days of the Jewish month of Av. A strict level of mourning is observed, in accordance with the Talmudic dictum (Ta'anit 26): "When the month of Av begins, we reduce our joy." They are days of intense mourning culminating in Tisha B'Av which commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem.
During The Nine Days, Jewish law (Halakha) forbids eating meat, and pleasure-bathing [swimming]. These prohibitions are in addition to those adhered to during The Three Weeks, which take place concurrent to The Nine Days. These restrictions include listening to music, getting a haircut or shaving, drinking wine [except on Shabbat], participating in weddings and wearing freshly laundered clothes.
—Wikipedia
We'd like to thank Little Frumhouse on the Prairie for including two Seraphic Secret posts; both drew a great deal of attention and e-mails.
First up is Moshe Hammer Z'L, A Life Interrupted, our portrait of a Lubavitch Chasid who leaves behind a brilliant artistic legacy.
Plus, Seraphic Secret's enthusiastic review of a new collection of Jewish short stories, Everyone's Got a Story.
Enjoy!
Oh wait, it's The Nine Days.
Okay, don't enjoy.
And here's today's Word Cloud:
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at August 3, 2008 07:51 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
I would highly recommend "Understanding Secular Zionism from the eyes of Rav Kook" presented by Dan on Little FrumHouse on the Prairie (above). His stellar reasoning presents the antidote for the devout (Jew and Christian alike) ending up in their respective ghettos with little hope of influencing the larger world. It is the future of both Israel and the United States that is at stake.
To the Avrechs and Dr. Carol:
Thank you so much for this posting! I have to admit this is the first writing that has made me want to visit Israel. I have always thought that no current reality could ever compare to the Israel in my heart and mind: a Jerusalem with heavenly Jerusalem hovering above and a staircase with patriarchs and matriarchs, prophets and judges (both those written of and those to come) ascending and descending. But this touched my soul with allusions to empty space and sky and silence, eternity found in the midst of chaos. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Elizabeth ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 3, 2008 06:23 PM
Where did this word cloud concept come from? And how do you do it?
Posted by: mata hari at August 3, 2008 06:32 PM
post script: I don't believe in the idea of the 'developing good". Yahweh has made it clear: evil exists because mankind has allowed it. The Lord of Love has never, ever, ever, been the author of evil.
Posted by: Elizabeth at August 3, 2008 09:21 PM
Elizabeth:
You're right, the article you recommend is excellent.
And of course, we urge yu to visit Israel. Besides the spiritual nourishment you will be supporting, through your tourist dollars, the State of Israel and her besieged citizens.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 3, 2008 10:01 PM
Mata hari:
If you follow the link provided you'll see that word clouds are created through a program that scans a blog, picks out the most frequently used words and then arranges them randomly in various templates.
Jack of Random Thoughts, brought it to my attention. It's dopey, but fun.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 3, 2008 10:06 PM
I love it. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: mata hari at August 3, 2008 11:38 PM
Jack of Random Thoughts, brought it to my attention. It's dopey, but fun.
Dopey but fun, just the sort of description that every man wants to have associated with his name. ;)
Posted by: Jack at August 4, 2008 12:08 AM
So was your choice of Marilyn Monroe due to the fact that she died this week back in 1962?
Posted by: soccerdad at August 4, 2008 09:12 AM
Jack:
Dopey is a compliment:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 09:18 AM
Soccer Dad:
I can still remember where I was when I learned that MM was dead. I was in Camp Hi-Li, playing softball, and right before I went up to bat somebody told me that she was dead. I was just 13-years old, but already a movie nut. I was in shock.
I struck out with three half-hearted swings.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 09:22 AM