"When I Awoke from Surgery, I Realized There's No One to Lean on But Hashem, and Began a Journey of Recovery"

Pleased to Meet You

"Doron Bitton, 31, single, living in Netanya, works in the entertainment field as a singer, actor, writer, composer, and voice artist, studying for a bachelor's degree in education specializing in Bible and literature".

Unforgettable Jewish Figure

"The main figure I aspire to be like and deeply connect with is Yosef HaTzadik. Yosef represents to me walking the straight path, even when in the most difficult places. Yosef makes no excuses and simply does what needs to be done. He always thought of the outcome of his actions, not his immediate desires or passions. Therefore, he is the provider, the main supporter of the entire world, and the foundation that nourishes everyone. Additionally, the Ramchal is also one of the people whose path I'd most like to follow. Every week, we have a class on 'Mesilat Yesharim', and I discover more and more how much I love his language and the guidance he provides to live honest, upright lives filled with closeness to Hashem".

Unforgettable Meeting

"I was invited to a program on Hidabroot where Rabbi Yitzchak Fanger hosted a group of artists around a Passover Seder table, alongside talented guests like Gil Sassover, David D'Or, Dan Shapira, and more. My first encounter with Rabbi Fanger was very special for me, as my initial approach to Judaism was through his personal story and lectures full of content, humor, wisdom, and an exceptional approach. For me, it was like closing a circle with a person who gave me tools to drive myself towards my true desires. Besides that, I was happy to meet Gil, who served as a foundational humorous influence for me, and to discover such a profound layer of his rare personality. From the enjoyment and participation in this experience, I received an offer from the Hidabroot team for a joint program with Rabbi Chaim Zaid, and from there I knew I was truly stepping into the world of Judaism and Torah".

An Unforgettable Miracle

"About a decade ago, I was in a severe motorcycle accident during my military service. Two officers and a doctor arrived at my parents' home and informed them that I was badly injured and that they were there to take them to the hospital. The injury was very severe, and I was sedated and on a ventilator for two days. Due to the accident, I had to undergo facial reconstruction surgery lasting 12 hours. The doctors told my parents that the chances of me returning to look like a regular person and function without assistance were very slim.

"When I awoke from the surgery, I realized there's no one to lean on but Hashem, and I began an eight-month rehabilitation journey filled with many tears and pains. In the end, I was blessed to return to myself completely. The doctor who treated me all along called me a fighter, and when I saw that Hashem sent angels to watch over me, I understood I was being looked after and had a mission to fulfill. Trust in Hashem not only helped me to recover but also to become a better version of myself, one that is more confident and deeply grateful".

A Funny Moment I Won’t Forget

"My mentor is Rabbi Rafael Rubin, shlit'a. Beyond his extensive knowledge and deep understanding of the Torah, we share a very similar sense of humor, one of witty wordplay. For example, once I asked him – why shouldn't you sleep next to non-Jews? Because they're *nokhrim* (foreigners)... Many of our meetings create humorous moments, which makes me love him on another level besides the great respect I have for him".

Unforgettable Torah Study

"Studying my first tractate of Talmud, the tractate 'Tamid', together with my dear study partner, Rabbi Yisrael Nachum, a student of my rabbi, Rabbi Rafael Rubin. It was the first time I was exposed to the Talmud from a genuine place, a true desire to learn, not just as educational material. In this study, I felt immense sweetness. Sometimes, after returning from performances, even at four in the morning, my study partner, who has a family, would wait for me at his home with a table full of treats and an open Talmud.

"In the tractate 'Tamid', I learned about the dignity and splendor of our people – about the Temple and the work of the priests, the uniqueness of the Jewish people, and the glorious lineage I come from. During those days, I felt a strong desire to continue learning, and indeed, after about three months of study, I was fortunate to finish my first tractate. A while ago, I had the blessing to complete another tractate, 'Sotah', on the 49th day of the Counting of the Omer, where the tractate itself consists of 49 pages, and my rabbi gave it to me on Shavuot a few years ago".

Unforgettable Prayer

"A few years ago, during a hectic performance period, I happened to have two performances in one day in the north, one in Haifa and the other in Acre. During that time, I was studying the series 'Mesilat Yesharim' by Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi, which greatly connected me to the Ramchal. By divine providence, on that busy day, a person from Tiberias joined us. After we finished the Haifa performance, this person invited us to refresh at his home before the next performance, and we went. During those days, a family member very dear to my heart was awaiting a match and asked me to pray for him earnestly. After arriving at his home, I was excited to discover we were very close to the Ramchal’s grave, and I decided to go there with my partner at the time and our stage manager.

"When I reached the site, I felt a very special sensation I hadn't experienced before. I prayed with all my heart for my family member and then carried out the mitzvah of charity. To our delight, not long after, my family member joyfully married a wonderful woman who became an active part of our family. I celebrated my 27th birthday abroad and suddenly received a call from that family member announcing the birth of their first child, exactly on my birthday. Through this, I once again understood the power of prayers at the graves of the righteous, and it, of course, fueled my desire to continue this important practice".