This week's Torah portion of Tetzaveh (Ex.27:20-30:10) mysteriously omits the name of Moshe, and though his presence is hidden, he is very much on the scene. But what's that all about? In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore this theme of hiddenness -- a major lesson of the Purim story, both past and present. Our hosts engage in a fascinating discussion of the Breastplate of the High Priest and its mysterious, oracle-like function known as the 'Urim V'Thummim', and begin to prepare for the upcoming days of Purim. The Fast of Esther will be observed on Monday, March 2 2026. Purim in most of the world will be observed on Tuesday March 3, and in Jerusalem, Shushan Purim will be observed on Wednesday March 4. Purim Sameach, Blessings for a joyous Purim to all! _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

The indescribable event of the Giving of Torah at Mount Sinai, highlighted by the Voice of G-d and the highest prophetic revelation, is grounded onto the earth through the Divine commandments that relate to the sanctification of everyday life, and circumstances of human interaction and conflict resolution which we find in the portion of Mishpatim. Fulfilling the Divine commandments in every situation fills the world with the light of G-d’s presence….and in this week's Torah portion of Terumah, G-d seeks a 'home' in this world to rest that presence…the eternal commandment of the building of the Holy Temple. In this week's edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman review the amazing trajectory of the Sinai experience, from the portion of Yitro, through Mishpatim, and to this week's portion of Terumah...the bringing of Torah down to earth. _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

Moshe's father-in-law Jethro, Yitro in Hebrew, had been the world's foremost pagan priest and idolatrous practitioner...but then he turned his life around completely, declaring that the God of Israel is the One True God. How does such a turnabout happen? What was the price he paid for clinging to the truth, and what are the lessons learned for today's spiritual seekers? In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect on the life story of this true servant of God and brave iconoclast...for whom the Torah portion including the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai is named. Our hosts also discuss the relationship between the Ten Commandments and all the other commandments of Torah. What makes these ten stand out especially, and why were they uttered aloud at Sinai?_________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

What is the true connection between the Tanach – the Written Torah – and the vast body of teachings that has been handed down ever since the Sinai Revelation, known as the Oral Torah? In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman examine the sacred origin of this unified revelation, focusing on the Oral Torah as the continuous, living transmission that makes up the ongoing, living resonance of the Written Torah. Our hosts demonstrate, through clear examples, how the Written Torah itself clearly testifies that together, these two halves form a seamless, single flowing garment of Divine wisdom and light. _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

If free choice is of preeminent importance, why did God 'take away' Pharaoh's free choice by 'strengthening his heart?' Why did God initially command Moses to ask Pharaoh for permission for a three-day leave, if the intention was never to return? What happened to 4/5 of the Israelites who did not want to leave Egypt? In this week's edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman offer some answers to our viewer's excellent and thoughtful questions about some of the deeper aspects of Exodus narrative that we are currently studying in these weekly Torah portions. _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

As this week's Torah portion of Va'era begins, God seeks to clarify His Name...identifying Himself as YHVH, 'Hashem,' a name that 'He did not make known' (Ex. 6:3) to the forefathers. What is it about the Redemption from Egypt that demonstrates the uniqueness of God's name? How do we understand the implication and nuances of the various sacred names that are mentioned in the Torah...and why did God first identify Himself to Moses at the Burning Bush with the mysterious identity of 'I Will be What I will Be?' (Ex. 3:14). In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss the foundational, sacred topic of the Names of God, and all that these names convey to humanity. _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

As the drama of Egyptian exile begins to unfold in this week's Torah portion of Shemot, the family of Jacob begins to transition into the nation of Israel. The deepest truth is that this exile was written into Israel destiny long before...it has its roots in Abraham's prophetic experience at the 'Covenant between the Portions,' recorded in Genesis 15. In this week's podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect on this connection, and explore the understanding of the sages that the Egyptian exile was a crucible for the spiritual development of the nation of Israel. Plus: Jim Long fills us in on the latest developments in historical and archeological research of ancient Egypt. _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

What is the secret that the patriarch Yaakov knew about the 'Shema Yisrael' ('Hear O Israel) prayer - the Torah's famous declaration of God's unique Oneness? And why do we close our eyes when we recite it? In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share ideas that elevate our understanding of the 'Shema' prayer from a recitation, to a kiss of the soul. Our hosts also share some amazing insights to clarify the Torah's narrative that speaks of the embalmment of Yaakov and Yosef in ancient Egypt....and much more. _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839  

What is the true significance of the beloved holiday of Chanukah? What secret is conveyed by the 36 lights that are kindled over the holiday? Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore the depth and meaning of Chanukah, its connection to Adam, the first man, and its eternal themes of spiritual struggle and the victory of faith, that are more relevant today than ever. Blessings for a joyous, light-filled Chanukah from Jerusalem Lights! _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelSubscribe to our newsletter at https://www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  

In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long wraps up his trip to Israel before heading back to Arkansas with the story of his trip to Amman, Jordan - but wait for the surprise ending! Our hosts ponder the meaning of the sages' enigmatic expression, reflecting vast theological truths, that 'G-d is the place of the world, but the world is not His place.' What does that mean? Rabbi Richman pulls it all together with an unexpected connection between a story told about the holy Baal Shem Tov, and the celebrated American philosopher and poet, Henry David Thoreau. Lots of surprises in this week's episode! _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: [email protected] or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelSubscribe to our newsletter at https://www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:    / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman  Follow us on Facebook:   / rabbichaimrichman    / 282440396475839