Glimpses into the Holy Land

I just returned with my family from a two-week trip to Israel.

I haven't been to Israel in years...25 to be exact! So much has changed, so much has remained the same.

The physical landscape has changed, with new buildings and development throughout the country.

But the heart of Israel -- the Jewish nation -- remains. Every visible stripe of Jew can be found throughout. Every type of kippah and head covering adorn the heads of men and women. Tzitzit fringes flutter freely on men and boys of every size.

Jerusalem. The city of gold...and pink...and white...and blue. Magnificent, beautiful, striking and enveloping. Coddling us, as we coddle it.

People tell me that when they travel UP to Jerusalem, they are encaptured by an overwhelming rush of emotion, a pure happiness meant to sustain. I understand that myself now. A deflation of sorts happens as you drive down, out of Jerusalem, its scenery reflected in the rearview mirror.

To attend a wedding, with the backdrop of Jerusalem as the tableau, the bride and groom under the open-aired chupah, the glass being broken followed by a beautiful cantorial rendition of "Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim (If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem)" takes one's breath away. As does the country. As do the sunsets. As do the Welcome signs.

Israel...IS Real.

This Blog Isn't Quite Dead

This blog isn't quite dead yet, but it is on life support. We are still trying to figure out what to do about it. In the interim feel free to check out out old posts and the bloggers that wrote them.

Thanks,

Jack

Haveil Havalim #226

It is Haveil Havalim time. Come check out edition number 226.

Haveil Havalim #211 is live

I am pleased to let you know that Haveil Havalim #211: The Preparing for Pesach Edition is up at Ima on (and off) the bima.

Haveil Havalim is the weekly blog carnival of the Jewish/Israeli blogosphere. It serves as an excellent resource that you can use to find out what has been happening within the J-blogosphere during the past week.

A list of past and future hosts can be found here.

Haveil Havalim #196

This blog isn't quite dead yet. Click here to go read the latest edition of Haveil Havalim.

A Quick list of Haveil Havalim Posts

Oct 18, 2008	Ill call Baila
Oct 12, 2008	The Israel Situation
Oct 05, 2008	Writes Like She Talks
Sep 28, 2008	A Barbaric Yawp
Sep 21, 2008	Random thoughts
Sep 14, 2008	Shiloh Musings
Sep 07, 2008	Tzipiyah.com
Aug 30, 2008	My Shrapnel
Aug 24, 2008	Yehuda Berlinger
Aug 17, 2008	Rechovot: A Place to Expand
Aug 09, 2008	SimplyJews
Aug 02, 2008	Little Frumhouse on the Prairie
Jul 27, 2008	Frume Sarah's World
Jul 20, 2008	Esser Agaroth
Jul 05, 2008	Daled Amos
Jun 29, 2008	Ima on (and off) the Bimah
Jun 22, 2008	Soccer Dad
Jun 15, 2008	Writes Like She Talks
Jun 08, 2008	Random thoughts

The "Take 1 On" Mitzvah Campaign.

I'm starting a new campaign in honor of the Rebbe's Yartzeit, which falls out on Sunday July 6th this year. I'm hoping everyone in the Jewish Blogosphere will join in and post and pass this around.

You don't have to take this on in honor of the Rebbe's Yartzeit, if you want to take this on for any other reason feel free to do so. Summer is here and the 3 weeks are almost upon us. This is a time when tragedy seem to always be on the rise. Just take yesterdays Terror attack in Eretz Yisroel.

Often we feel as though there is little we can do, I say here is a chance for us all to do something. It doesn't matter why you decide to do it, just do it.

The campaign is to encourage everyone to take on one Mitzvah. Even if it's a Mitzvah you already do, maybe this can be an opportunity to spend a little more time thinking about it when you do it.

When I was about 20 years old I was going through a hard time spiritually. At the time I was around a lot of Baal Teshuvahs and it was through their excitement for the seemingly more basic concepts in Judaism, that I was able to find more own inspiration. At that time I decided to take on a Mitzvah that I'd make sure I do with Kavana and do it right. That Mitzvah was Mezuzah. Something I'm sure many of forget about it or just do in rote. We end up doing everything, but without the proper Kavanah.

This is a chance to take upon one thing and give it the attention it deserves.

It's my hope that everyone will leave a comment below listing their name (It doesn't have to be a real name) and which Mitzvah they choose.I encourage all Bloggers to post this on their own blogs and ask for the same thing. I'd love to have a really long list and we can all look at and be proud that we were able to use this blogging medium for something positive and inspirational.

Here is just a list of possible things, in case someone is looking for ideas.

• Mezuzah
• Make Brachas more Clearly
• Give Tzedakah before Candle Lighting
• Start Attending a local Shiur
• Learn more with your Children
• Pirush Hamilos (definition of words in Davening)
• Krias Shma Al Hamita (Shema b/f bedtime)
• Asher Yatzar (Blessing after using restroom)
• Shmiras Halashon
• Tznius

If you don't want to leave a comment please feel free to email me so I can add your name and the Mitzvah to the list. Lifeofrubin@gmail.com is my e-mail address.

Thank you everyone and I hope through this we can bring some much needed light into the world.

Cross Posted at The Life of Rubin Blog.