Jerusalem Lights

It was a full month ago that 3,000 Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli communities and murdered 1400 of its citizens with a brutality and cruelty that is beyond human comprehension. This event plunged Israel into a war for its very survival, and nothing remains the same. All over the world Jewish people are under attack by those who celebrate the the inhuman savagery of the terrorists, and turn a blind eye to the suffering of the hundreds, including babies and children, that have been kidnapped and are being held hostage in the terror enclave of Gaza. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman provide updates and insight, connecting these days with the themes of this week’s Torah portion of Chayei Sarah: the sanctity of life, the continuation, hope and legacy of the family unit…and our unshakeable faith in the Creator of the Universe.

Israel’s war against the Hamas terrorists who hold Gaza in a stranglehold, now in its third week, is a war that Israel must win – because her very survival is at stake. With each passing day and the skyrocketing, virulent anti-Semitic incidents that are taking place all over the world, it is becoming increasingly clearer that the right of the Jewish people as a whole to exist is once again the real issue. The genie of anti-Semitism is out of the bottle. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman present and analyze these events in the light of the teachings of the eternal Torah and Israel’s Divinely-appointed message for humanity. We present our best efforts and apologize for the technical aspects of this podcast, as our producer is currently called to active military duty in defense of the State of Israel.

Abraham, forefather of the Jewish people, was the real deal – a true spiritual seeker to whom God revealed himself. Abraham was an iconoclast who risked it all – separation from his family, ostracization and even attempts to kill him – in order to bravely declare and teach to all the world that God is One. How did he become this person, and what profound influence does the template of his life have over the lives of his descendants, the Children of Israel? In this week’s episode of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman ponder the legacy of Abraham in the context of Israel’s ongoing war against the Hamas terrorists who savagely murdered 1400 Jews on October 7th, raping women, decapitating babies and burning families alive, and kidnapped 222 people, taking them to the terrorist enclave of Gaza. Our apologies for the diminished broadcast quality of this episode, as our producer is currently away in active military duty in this war. This is our own effort to remain in touch with you.

Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman, together in Jerusalem, recorded this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast on the 12th day of Israel’s war against the Hamas terrorists that savagely butchered over 1300 people in one day, kidnapped hundreds of men, women and children of all ages to Gaza as hostages, and wounded thousands more. How are we to attempt to understand atrocity that is literally incomprehensible? What are the implications of this upheaval for Israel and the world, within the framework of Biblical prophecy and G-d’s purpose in creation? What can we learn from the world’s reaction? A time of great testing is here…and everyone's masks are falling away, preparing the way for the Final Redemption.

A Special Jerusalem Lights Broadcast

The experience of joyous 'dwelling' in the sukkah manifests a sublime level of faith that has significance for the renewal of prophecy, the messianic era and the ultimate redemption of humanity. Sukkot is a time of celebration -- and testing! -- for all the nations of the world. This week, Jim Long joins Rabbi Chaim Richman in Jerusalem for a Sukkot edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast.

Yom Kippur, the awesome Day of Atonement, begins this Sunday evening September 24. This week's Jerusalem Lights podcast looks at this amazing day of forgiveness and atonement…. but how does Torah define sin, and what constitutes true and sincere repentance? Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman begin to prepare for Yom Kippur with illuminating insights into this beautiful day, as well as the nature of sin and the fine art of repentance – a gift G-d gives to man which can literally help us become new people. May we all be sealed in the Book of Life for a long life of health and every blessing, amen! A Good and Sweet New Year to all!

The holiday of Rosh HaShana ushers in a new year, bringing a Divine embrace of love, renewal, and a new light for the whole world. But what does it mean for each and every one of us? In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman prepare for Rosh HaShana, birthday of Adam and time of momentous judgement - and awakening to G-d’s sovereignty - for all his descendants. Jerusalem Lights wishes everyone blessings for a Good and Sweet New Year!

The beloved month of Elul is the last month of the year and during these special days, charged with a unique spiritual energy, we focus on preparation for the upcoming Days of Awe. These are days of special Divine mercy, designed for repentance and deep spiritual work. Elul stands for ‘I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me,’ and rapprochement with our true Beloved – our Creator – is the theme of this month. This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast focuses on everything Elul! Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman contemplate the great challenge of Elul for all seekers of G-d.

The beloved month of Elul is the last month of the year and during these special days, charged with a unique spiritual energy, we focus on preparation for the upcoming Days of Awe. These are days of special Divine mercy, designed for repentance and deep spiritual work. Elul stands for ‘I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me,’ and rapprochement with our true Beloved – our Creator – is the theme of this month. This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast focuses on everything Elul! Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman contemplate the great challenge of Elul for all seekers of G-d.