Jerusalem Lights

Jerusalem Day, coinciding this week with Friday May 19, marks the 56th anniversary of the liberation and unification of Jerusalem in the miraculous Six Day War. This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast looks at the trajectory between this emotionally-charged day of prophetic promise, and Shavuot, the upcoming Festival of Weeks. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect on the dual nature of this powerful festival, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and its relevance to Israel and to the entire world. Rabbi Richman also shares truth – and facts – about the recent Islamic Jihad attacks against Israel, during which over 1200 missiles were launched at Israel within the period of a few days.

This past week, we celebrated ‘Lag B’Omer,’ the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, a day of great joy which is traditionally observed as the anniversary of the passing of the holy 2nd century sage, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Rabbi Shimon is credited with authoring the Zohar, the book of mystical teachings that illuminate the deepest wisdom of Torah and the secrets of creation, and G-d’s interaction with the universe. This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast ponders the question: Who is a 'tsaddik', Hebrew for a truly righteous person, and what is the Torah’s ideal of what a righteous person should be? What is the role that these people fill throughout history, and how can we relate today to this ideal role model of perfected human behavior? Is the 'tsaddik' other-worldly, or is he a regular person, just like us?

Within the framework of this healing month of Iyar, and smack dab in the midst of these days of the counting of the Omer – days of great potential for spiritual growth – this week we encounter the unique and unsung holiday of ‘the second Passover,’ called by our sages the Holiday of Second Chances. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect on the theme of the universal hope that underlines and uplifts the human condition. It’s the hope in G-d’s promised Redemption – both personal and global – that the whole world is longing to express on every level.

This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, recorded on the eve of Israel Independence Day, is in honor of Israel’s 75 birthday! Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share their perspectives and give their personal thanks to G-d for the State of Israel, discussing its significance in prophetic fulfillment, and its unique mission in the saga of human history. Our hosts reflect on Israel’s role in the life of both the Jewish people and the nations, and talk about the signs and promises of the messianic era, and true meaning of the anticipated Redemption.

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This week’s double Torah reading of the portions of Tazria and Metzora focuses on the mysterious ailment known as ‘the affliction of tzarat,’ which the Torah sages understand to be a consequence of the widespread sin of ‘lashon hara,’ evil speech in its various forms. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman focus on the Torah’s outlook on gossip, talebearing, and other forms of speech which are forbidden –even if true – because they can cause damage to another person. This is a beautiful example of the high standards of sensitivity that Torah seeks to instill in a caring, sensitive society. This is in diametric opposition to the widespread insensitivity, public shaming and cancel culture that takes place daily on social media platforms

This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast welcomes the Festival of Passover. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss the eternal covenant of the Passover offering, the seder night, the unique prohibition against chometz (leaven) – and the significance of Passover for all mankind. Passover is a uniquely Jewish holiday but at the same time, it is the birth of freedom for all mankind and is of great importance for all non-Jews who love the G-d of Israel.

This week, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman host special guest Dr. Bernie Kastner, a Jerusalem-based psychotherapist, rabbi and author of numerous books about life after death and the journey of a soul. What is the Torah's view on the immortality of the soul, life after death, and reincarnation? Are there parallels between ancient Torah knowledge and modern research? Tune in to this fascinating edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast for the answers!

This week, we prepare to welcome the month of Nisan, time of the Exodus from Egypt as well as the promised future Redemption. International headlines are focused on Israelis demonstrating against the government’s proposed ‘judicial reform,’ and all the while, devastating terror attacks against Jews continue unabated. What is really going on in the midst of this upheaval and who is behind it? In this week’s episode of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman take spiritual stock of the situation and focus on what is stake and how it all connects to this month’s theme of the Divine plan for Redemption and renewal of faith.

The book of Exodus comes to a finale this week with the reading of its last two Torah portions, Va’yakhel and Pekudei. The grievous sin of the Golden Calf resulted in the first Yom Kippur: the expression of the Creator’s eternal love and forgiveness for His people. On the day following Yom Kippur, Moshe instructs all those ‘who have heart’ to come forward and donate towards the building of the tabernacle…but first he delivers G-d’s declaration to observe Shabbat. The Sabbath and the Tabernacle are two expressions of the same concept: how to hold on to the true reality of the Creator, in an illusory world of doubt and materialism. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore and illuminate these vast and compelling concepts and their significance for all people today.  

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Rabbi Chaim Richman  Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone   Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, 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 16886 Lubbock Texas 79490.   

In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395  Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem Israel  

Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.rabbirichman.com 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @jerusalemlights-rabbirichman

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In recent weeks, multiple terror attacks have been perpetrated in the Land of Israel against the Jewish people.  Families are being destroyed by these murderous attacks. This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast looks to set the record straight and examine the root and cause of what Israel is currently facing. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman present a reality check of current events transpiring in the Land of Israel, examining the spiritual dimension and the historical and political roots and implications of this era. The truth is far from the media’s hypocritical, agenda-driven portrayal.  

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Rabbi Chaim Richman  Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone   Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, 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 16886 Lubbock Texas 79490.   

In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395  Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem Israel   

Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.rabbirichman.com 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel:   / @jerusalemlights-...   

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiChaimRi...

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