Avraham’s first test: “Lech Lecha”, leave everything for an unknown land. Not just geography, but a soul journey. “Go to yourself.” True bliss isn’t ignorance, it’s knowing. Gematria: לך לך = 100 brachos daily to instill gratitude. Avraham didn’t ignore reality; he embraced it to live with purpose. We can too.

In life-or-death cases, halacha demands evidence-based medicine. For non-critical issues, natural remedies like amber stones are permissible if free from idolatry or superstition. Emergency spells are allowed to calm the mind, but proven paths are preferred, consult a Rav.

Rav Kook on Cheshvan: “When the soul shines, even foggy skies radiate light”, a reminder for dark times, like hostages returning with unbroken faith. Avraham’s courage? He dressed against trends, standing apart as a revolutionary. Five insights: humanity restarts with Avraham; he and Sarah are eternal influencers; first olim; brit milah’s devotion; from idolater to moral visionary.

"After your video I lost 97% of my business.” One text turned a TikTok food flop into a kosher firestorm. What started as a sketchy Uber Eats order in a back-alley ghost kitchen became a viral controversy, a single mom’s fight for her yeshiva kids, and, BH, an epic redemption. From double-wrapped ovens to OK-certified tacos, Sweet and Spizy is now open at 5450 W Pico Blvd with a mezuzah on the door and the most authentic kosher Mexican in America on the table.

After two years of Hamas aggression since October 7, 2023, a deal emerged on October 8, 2025: all Israeli hostages freed for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, with Israel withdrawing post-release. This reflects moral strength, not weakness, driven by Trump’s leverage of Abraham Accords allies to isolate Hamas. Vigilance is key, Hamas’s past demands it. Saving 20 lives? A triumph worth more than any Nobel, earned through unapologetic resolve.

I was done. After a year and a half, the walls crushed in, draining my soul as I clutched my baby, dread pulsing through me. Each escape attempt met my husband’s excuses, postpartum, promises, yet safety eluded me. At the Vort, fear froze me; I packed silently, vowing never to return. Alarm bells screamed Not Safe Here, I dialed my Kallah teacher, desperate for a lifeline through the chaos.

Excitement builds in LA as the revered Biala Rebbe returns, drawing crowds from all walks of life for his miraculous blessings. Stories abound: engagements sparked by charity commitments, legal woes turned to triumphs, barren couples blessed with children, and shidduchim forged against odds. A young leader continuing a Baal Shem Tov legacy, the Rebbe opens his heart to Klal Yisrael, supporting orphans and fostering shalom bayis. Hosted by Dr. & Mrs. David & Dorothy Stoll at 4

Avraham’s first act upon receiving Hashem’s promise? He built an altar, not for the land or children, but for the appearance of Hashem. The Or HaChaim teaches: gratitude for the gift of connection trumps all else. Like Modeh Ani at dawn and Modim D’Rabanan in prayer, true thanks must be personal. Three simple acts, say thank you, give time, do a favor, turn gratitude into a daily mitzvah, the free gift that transforms lives.

Nearly 300 gathered at Sinai Temple to celebrate 45 years of Beit Issie Shapiro’s impact. Injured soldier “D” shared how Tech for Heroes restored his independence post-war. Rachel Bachar praised inclusion for her daughter with Down syndrome. Errol & Pat Fine and Jila Farahi were honored. CEO Ahmir Lerner: “War pushed us to do more, turning compassion into innovation.”

LINK’s  Youth Director organized a fun-filled Sukkah Decorating party on the Sunday before Sukkos, Oct. 5. The Sukkah, which was comprised of  all of LINK’s fenced-in backyard plus schach, was the setting for the construction of many creative decorations, which were then hung all around  the Sukkah, making it truly beautiful. In addition, the children made edible “Sukkahs” comprised of pretzels and veggies - something to sink their teeth into!

Imagine a man rear-ended twice by the same uninsured driver, shrugging off the petty scratches—only for it to echo in marriage. You ask, "Have you called my grandma for Shabbat Shalom?" She sheepishly says, "No, I’m sorry," and you let it slide. Months later, her "Let’s spend holidays with my family" sparks your sarcastic, "Family is suddenly important?" Like Noah’s flood from small sins, unaddressed petty issues can deluge your shalom bayit. Address them before they overwhel

"I hear strange noises outside," she whispered uneasily. Her husband chuckled, "Maybe it’s time to change your hearing aid batteries." "I don’t wear hearing aids!" she said in shock."Well," he teased, "maybe you should get some!" This banter reveals a deeper truth: like Noah’s hesitant wife, our bonds grow from need, not abundance. A wife’s "neediness" fuels connection, the heartbeat of shalom bayit, crafting an extraordinary shared journey.

Parshas Noach, featuring a quotable quote, "Falling is not failure; not getting up is failure," by Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein. It includes Gematria insights linking "Teiva" (ark) to "tongue," symbolizing a strong connection between the Teiva and words' power. Thoughts in Chassidus and other sections offer spiritual reflections.

On October 11, 2025, the largest American flag ever displayed in Israel, measuring 26×36 feet, was raised near Ateret in the Binyamin region. The flag, visible from afar and near Ben Gurion Airport, honors President Donald Trump for securing the hostages' release. Yisrael Ganz, Governor of Binyamin, praised Trump’s friendship and confidence in his continued support for Israel.

Avinatan Or, a hostage survivor, returned home to Shiloh after two years in Hamas captivity. Thousands of Binyamin residents celebrated with flags, dancing, and a motorcyclist convoy. At the emotional welcome, Avinatan said, “Our strength is in our unity; only through love will we prevail.”

HaRav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rosh Yeshivas Ponevez, delivering a shuir at the Kollel of Los Angeles while in town on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah

Sivan Rahav Meir shares inspiring stories of hostages returned from Gaza, highlighting their faith. Eitan Horn fasted on Yom Kippur, Segev Kalfon yearned to shout Shema Yisrael, and Eliya Cohen imagined wearing tefillin. Amid challenges, 17 babies born in Sderot symbolize life. Rabbi Moshe Hauer’s legacy inspires a global Jewish awakening, urging us to find our personal ark in Torah and community.

Parashat Noach highlights Noah's righteousness, his 120-year ark build, and the flood that reset the world after 10 sinful generations. The Zohar notes Cham, the raven, and dog sinned in the ark, with Cham's transgression marking him. Noah's sons Shem, Cham, Yafet represent Judaism, Christianity, Islam, shaping nations. The flood separated continents, fossilizing dinosaurs, with the world now 5786 years old.

Get ready for an expert-led panel on what California health insurance will cover starting January 1, 2026. Hosted by Yesh Tikva on November 3, 2025, at 7 PM PST, the conversation features Amira Hasenbush, Esq., Virginia Hart, Sarah Paige, and Kim Surratt. Learn about upcoming policy changes and their impact!

This Tuesday, October 21 at 8:30 PM, a monumental asifa by Keren Olam HaTorah will take place at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, with the participation of Harav Dov Landau, Harav Chaim Peretz Berman (Rosh Yeshiva, Ponovezh – on his first-ever visit to America), Harav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel (Rosh Yeshiva, Mir Yerushalayim), Harav Avraham Salim shlit”a, and Harav Yerucham Olshin shlit”a (Rosh Yeshiva, Beis Medrash Govoha), with guest speaker Harav Ephraim W