Both Yitzchak prayed with nisgav (overcoming challenges), Rivka prayed with tznius (inner depth). Hashem answered Yitzchak because the tefillah of a tzaddik ben tzaddik who never knew evil is simply greater. Yet the true Yid lives like Yaakov – humble, small, and constantly striving. Torah Sparks by Rabbi Ori Strum

What a joy! Kids filled shul with laughter exploring Parashas Toldos, boys and girls separated like Yitzchak & Rivka, making “lentil soup” from Cheerios. Little Ezra Yosef and Sara Batya shared sweet Torah insights. Sunday’s Chanukah workshop was a hit with creative menorahs and tile art!

BEVERLY HILLS (Nov 12, 2025) 400+ supporters at AFMDA Gala honored Israel’s Magen David Adom, raised major funds for ambulances, medics, and blood services. Event featured Jonah Platt as host, Ambassador Gilad Erdan’s remarks, Humanitarian Award to Elizabeth Goldhirsh-Yellin, and ambulance dedications for Sarah Milgrim, Yaron Lischinsky, and Sami Liber. Erdan: “Every time Israel rises stronger.” CEO Catherine Reed: “Filled with gratitude and hope.”

“If the enemy already dug the pit for us, why not use it for planting?” In the crater left by a rocket, the people of Kerem Shalom planted a tree. From every hole, they grew new life. That is the legacy we choose.

“The words feel heavy in my throat, Like wearing 100 pound winter coat. I want to say, ‘It wasn’t me!’ Or, ‘You just didn’t see!’ But deep inside, I know, Only truth will help me grow. Saying ‘sorry’ isn’t small— It’s brave, it’s strong, it’s the ONLY call. It opens hearts and clears the air, And shows the world you really care.” Before you speak, ask yourself: Will this help or hurt? Would I rather be right, or happy? When RIGHT is WRONG.

He was hungry. Right now. To the starving brain, a steaming bowl of lentil stew is worth more than any future inheritance that cannot be eaten tonight. Every CFO and founder has sat in Esau’s chair: quarterly numbers growling louder than strategy, urgency drowning out importance. We despise our birthright not because we are foolish, but because the cost of patience feels infinite when the stomach is empty. The tragedy is not that Esau was wrong about his hunger.

Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. Modern brands do the same when they trade trust for clicks. “FINAL CHANCE!!!” emails, engagement-bait posts, keyword-stuffed blogs, aggressive pop-ups, stalker retargeting, all soup. All perishable. Isaac didn’t fight over clogged wells. He dug new ones. When the algorithm buries you, when the platform dies, when attention shifts, don’t panic and sell your birthright. Just keep digging. The clicks are never worth the trust. Don’t b

The last Warsaw Ghetto fighter and last Bielski brother are gone. From their ashes, our generation has found its fire. The flame that burned in ghettos and forests now shines in Israeli teens lighting Shabbat candles and in hostages who found God in Gaza’s tunnels. “If they found Him in darkness, we can find Him in light.” We don’t just remember the fire. We carry it. The Jewish soul’s light is eternal, no enemy can extinguish it.

The Zohar demands special kabbalistic kevanos when writing Hashem's Names in STa"M, but poskim warn: better no kevanos than incorrect ones. Sephardic and Chassidic sofrim write in hei chalukos per the Arizal yet rarely intend the full kevanos. Interrupting while writing tefillin parshiyos diminishes the hiddur, but does not invalidate, though the Ba’er Heitev urges writing at least the first two parshiyos without pause.

Mamdani’s victory reminds Jews that comfort can breed complacency. Political landscapes shift quickly; engagement and vigilance remain essential. Safety in exile is always conditional, Israel is the anchor of Jewish survival.

Yitzchak married Rivka, then loved her, teaching that true love deepens through giving, care, responsibility, respect, and knowledge. As Erich Fromm writes, “Love is not a feeling, but an art.” The root of Ahavah (love) is hav—to give. Invest in your partner daily to build lasting love.

Gaslighting, control disguised as care, my body trembled at his sight. Divorce wasn’t the end; it was the start of a new fight. With no safe place in marriage, I left. The Get battle began.

Rav Moshe Shternbuch: Sarah Imeinu’s pain at Yitzchak’s “death” was greater than death itself—death is a moment, but to LIVE עַל דְּבַר הַמִּיתָה spans many moments. Dedicate each day to Hashem; if you’re alive now, you have the opportunity to LIVE עַל דְּבַר הַחַיִּים!

Released hostage Bar Kuperstein’s homecoming led to Bnei Brak, where thousands of charedim danced in the streets. His mother Julie, who built bridges between worlds, thanked the Jewish people “for every tear.” Bar then visited Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, proving unity rises from shared pain.

Ambassador Mark Walker, Trump’s pick to fight global antisemitism, met Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and joined Dirshu’s massive test in Jerusalem. He declared: “Call antisemitism by name and meet it with force!” Vowing U.S. action, not words, he heard chilling reports of attacks from Australia to England, pledging, “Not just with words, with action!”

Dr. David Isaacs, UCLA-trained oculofacial surgeon, launches a new LA Jewish Home column to demystify facial aging and aesthetics. From Botox to deep-plane facelifts, he’ll share science-based insights for natural, confidence-boosting results, because in Jewish LA, looking rested and vibrant is about feeling your best.

A woman’s surrender evokes a man’s leadership. When she stops managing, he feels the weight, and rises. Like Abraham’s Lech Lecha, true direction is born in trust, not control. Release, soften, and watch polarity restore the dance.

Donna Cohen, widowed on Oct 7, urged: “Never wait to say what needs saying.” Weeks later, a grandfather’s letter to his grandson, written in Rabbi Sytner’s bar mitzvah program, as read at his funeral: “You’ve made my life 100% better.” Divine timing: love spoken before it’s too late.

Trusting Judaica stores isn't enough, many sell invalid STA"M from unreliable sources. Buy directly from a certified, God-fearing Sofer who personally writes, checks, and guarantees every letter's kosher perfection.

Temple Beth Hillel’s preschool became a safe haven for food allergy families. Director Claudine Douglas created protocols, training, and open communication to protect children like Sam—diagnosed with life-threatening allergies at age 1—while fostering inclusion. Now in remission after the Food Allergy Institute’s program, Sam thrives. Hear their story on Resilience And Hope: A Food Allergy Podcast.