Jerusalem Lights

In this week’s Torah portion of parashat Toldot we witness the beginning of the saga of Yaakov and Esav, two non-identical twins who are polar opposites. From their earliest age, these two individuals represent diametrically opposing world views. This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast introduces their story, which manifests throughout world history as they seek to achieve their goals. It’s a story which is as yet unfolding, and the redemption of mankind hangs in the balance.  Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman also talk about a unique aspect of prayer, and ask, ‘what happens to prayers that go unanswered? Where do they go?’ 

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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

This week’s Torah portion of Chayei Sarah opens with the death of the matriarch Sarah, and a detailed accounting of the painstaking arrangements that Abraham made for her burial. Why the great detail? What does Torah teach about death, and what happens to the soul when we leave this world? How do we deal with the subject of death while remaining ever joyous about life? This week’s eye-opening Jerusalem Lights podcast looks at one of the greatest challenges we face as mortal beings: reconciling with the end of life. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss Torah traditions and teachings emphasizing that death is not the end at all, but a new stage for the eternal soul, the spark of God we have been entrusted with.    

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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

The patriarch Abraham was a true man of kindness, emulating that Divine attribute and teaching the value of doing good for others unconditionally…a trait that Torah urges us to strive to achieve. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect upon how a simple act of hospitality can be an experience of holiness…. literally becoming the road that leads to paradise. Our hosts talk about Political Correctness, media distortion and the demise of democracy. So much about contemporary society today, especially the political climate, is predicated on demeaning and degrading others;  those who go against the stream of PC and stand up for the truth are even dehumanized…just like in Abraham’s time.  

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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

In this week's episode of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, our hosts discuss some of the deeper spiritual dimensions of this Hebrew month of Marcheshvan. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman are also intrigued by the Tower of Babel, which was the flagship project of Nimrod, the world's first king, a master manipulator whose goal was total mastery over everyone...even over G-d Himself. The 'Dark Tower' of Nimrod was the capital of the brave new world he sought to create, a godless, dystopian society where progress and technology were worth more than human life. This week’s Torah portion of parashat Lecha Lecha introduces the patriarch Abraham, the one man who stood up to this evil despot. Jim shares his inimitable archeological knowledge, which as always, sheds fascinating light on these subjects and more.  _________

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

Blessings for this new month of Marcheshvan! During this month we look forward to the beginning of  the much-anticipated rainfalls of blessing in the Land of Israel. Water is life itself, and the most basic manifestation of faith rewarded. Yet water is also the instrument of Divine retribution, and the great flood in Noah’s time began during this month of Mar Cheshvan. How does that work? In this week’s Torah portion of Noach, we learn about the flood that was brought upon the earth to reset all life. Mankind’s rampant, incorrigible evil had corrupted every aspect of life on earth, and Noah was given the responsibility of saving humanity. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman examine the spiritual aspects of water and the mystique of the righteous Noah, lone hero in a world gone mad.   

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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

This week's Jerusalem Lights podcast celebrates the restart of the yearly cycle of weekly Torah readings this Shabbat, with the first portion of B’reishith, the Book of Genesis. Exploring the remarkable confluence of Torah knowledge and scientific discovery, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman’s fascinating discussion touches upon everything from the elusive mystery of G-d’s name, to the Torah’s view on pre-historic man (were there people before Adam?) Our hosts' amazing and animated discussion moves swiftly from the age of the universe, to the pagan origins of Halloween, to little-known aspects of the lives of literary giants Edgar Alan Poe and Arthur Conan Doyle…and Conan Doyle’s unlikely relationship with the famed illusionist Harry Houdini. An amazing kick-off for the new year of 5783! 

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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

The powerful spiritual experience and cathartic relief of Yom Kippur propels us into the Sukkah! The Festival of Tabernacles is the crescendo of the Tishrei holidays and dwelling in the temporary booth of the sukkah provides an opportunity to spend some intimate quality time with G-d during this formative time of the year. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman look forward to Sukkot in this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, and ponder the Biblical significance of this beautiful festival not only for Israel, but as the prophets declare, for all the nations of the world. 

Chag Sameach, blessings for a joyous festival! 

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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

This week's edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast focuses on the universal reset of Rosh HaShana, birthday of Adam and time of momentous judgement - and joyous awakening - for all his descendants. Rosh HaShana isn’t just for Israel, but for the whole world…so how do we prepare for it? How do we observe these sacred days, and get the most out of this powerful spiritual opportunity?  Warmest wishes and blessings from Rabbi Chaim Richman, Jim Long and everyone at Jerusalem Lights to all, for a Good and Sweet New Year!  

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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

Parashat KiTavo

In this week’s episode of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect upon the commandment found in this week’s Torah portion of Ki Tavo, to bring the first fruits of one’s produce in the Land of Israel to the Holy Temple as a special offering. This unique experience, seen as the embodiment of true joy, is rooted in a profound sense of thanks and recognition of G-d.

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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

Parashat Ki Teitzei

In this week’s episode, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman crank up the Elul spirit with a delve into the dynamics of the fine art of repentance…return to sender! Before discussing what it means to repent, we need to re-define the elusive and misunderstood concept of ‘sin.’

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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