Jerusalem Lights

This enigmatic month is called in Hebrew "Menachem Av,' which means 'The Consoling Father.' Ostensibly the name doesn't fit the reality of these days leading up to the fast day of Tisha B'Av, observed next week, which marks the destruction of the Holy Temple. Yet the vision of this month is the secret of the absolute Oneness of God, the vision of true reality: a loving Father calling His children back to Him with kindness and compassion. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore the inner meaning of the cycles of our lives that lead from destruction to rebuilding.

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Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect on the paradoxical character of the heathen prophet Bilaam, who despite being a great philosopher and ostensibly very 'religious,' was actually evil incarnate. For Bilaam, the greatest religious experience was anger and negativity. NOTE: This podcast is being published late and out of sequence due to Rabbi Richman's recent family circumstances. Rabbi Richman's daughter passed away just a few hours after this podcast was recorded and the family began their mourning period, and thus it was not aired on time. Next week with Hashem's help we expect to return to our regular scheduling of broadcasts.

This week's Jerusalem Lights podcast ponders the paradox of the Torah portion of Chukat, featuring the proverbial 'para aduma,' the Red Heifer, Torah's greatest mystery. Moses was the only person who understood its secret...yet this very same Torah portion records Moses' greatest blunder, his striking of the rock to bring forth water....a mistake that cost him the privilege of entering into the Land. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share fascinating insights of Torah wisdom, showing that it's all about connection vs. disconnect, and stagnation vs. spiritual growth.

The Living Hell of Ego, Aaron's Staff of Eternal Life, and The Call For Transformation

This week's Torah portion introduces us to Korach, Moses' power-hungry cousin who led a dramatic rebellion against him, under the guise of campaigning for the rights of 'the little guy.' Korach was a man of renown and influence, but nothing was good enough for him…ultimately he went downhill, literally…and was plunged into the belly of the earth. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share insights and perspectives that frame the Torah's eternal, cautionary lesson about the dangers of ego in a fresh contemporary light.

Who were the 'fallen angels' of Genesis and why did the 12 spies of the Book of Numbers, sent out by Moses on a mission of reconnaissance, just happen to bump into them in the Land of Canaan? Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss this ancient episode of Israel's history, plugging it into today's reality with alarming, sobering relevance, and share some amazing Torah insights, from the secret of the 'wood-gatherer' in the desert, to the secret of tzizit, and why G-d commands that fringes be placed on the corner of a Jewish man's clothing.

Standing Up For the Truth

Jim Long is back in Israel and joins Rabbi Chaim Richman in Jerusalem to share perspective and both political and spiritual insights on Israel's war with Hamas and its global repercussions, drawing contemporary parallels and lessons from the Book of Numbers and the enigmatic Generation of the Desert that foretell and illuminate the unprecedented challenges we are facing.

Finding Love As A Noahide, Two Conversion Attempts & Making Aliyah

In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman host Hillel Penrod, a righteous convert to Judaism who has traversed many worlds on his way to his home in the Land of Israel with his wife and children. Hillel shares their personal and inspiring story which includes their transition from Christianity to Noahide to Judaism, studying in a yeshiva, their conversion and wedding experiences, moving to Israel and much more. Hillel is a cartoonist who seeks to educate children in traditional Torah values, and he creates 'Torah comic books' for kids. You can read about his comic book heroes here:

https://linktr.ee/newherocomics

In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman host Hillel Penrod, a righteous convert to Judaism who has traversed many worlds on his way to his home in the Land of Israel with his wife and children. Hillel shares their personal and inspiring story which includes their transition from Christianity to Noahide to Judaism, studying in a yeshiva, their conversion and wedding experiences, moving to Israel and much more. Hillel is a cartoonist who seeks to educate children in traditional Torah values, and he creates 'Torah comic books' for kids. You can read about his comic book heroes here: : https://www.noahideacademy.org/post/t...

If G-d is love, then why does He allow evil in the world? Does He create it? Why do bad things happen to good people? Does G-d need our praise? Responding to viewers' email questions, these are some of the issues that Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman consider in this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, examining the sources of Torah and seeking answers to some of humanity's most ancient and poignant existential dilemmas.

This week Israel marks a muted, somberly reflective Independence Day, even as the Jewish state continues to fight for its very survival. When the prophets of old speak of the time leading up to the Redemption, they seem to be describing these very days. How do each of us understand our role in God's ultimate plan for the good of humanity? How do we figure out where we fit in? Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss these questions, in the light of a fascinating discussion focusing on the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel...who are they, where did they disappear to...and are they coming home?