Jerusalem Lights

Yom Kippur Insights: How Does Torah Define Sin, and What Makes Repentance Real?   

In this week’s Torah portion of Ha’azinu, Moshe calls upon heaven and earth to bear witness, as he delivers his prophetic song of rebuke, consolation, and ultimate redemption. And Yom Kippur, the awesome Day of Atonement will be observed beginning this coming Wednesday night – September 15-16. May non-Jews also participate in the Yom Kippur experience? Should they? How…and why? What do we all seek to gain from Yom Kippur, Jew and Gentile alike? This week’s episode of the Jerusalem Lights podcast focuses on the meaning and power of Yom Kippur 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 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! 

___ 

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.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV... Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiChaimRi...

The Universal Message of Rosh HaShana Unites Jews and Gentiles     

The themes of this week's Torah portion of Nitzavim help to prepare us for our passage into the coming new year -- just as the portion of Nitzavim opens with the awesome scene of the entire nation of Israel preparing to 'pass into' the covenant with G-d and into the Land. Our portion feature so many foundational ideas that directly relate to the coming days of Rosh HaShana, time of judgment for all humanity, including repentance, warnings against the lure of idolatry, and the call to choose life and cling to the commandments. In this week's special edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman focus on the universal reset of Rosh HaShana, birthday of Adam and time of momentous judgement - and awakening - for all his descendants. Rosh HaShana is for the whole world! Jerusalem Lights wishes everyone blessings for a Good and Sweet New Year!  

___ 

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:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV...  

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

Parashat KiTavo / Offering the First Fruits of Our Lives: Everything I Have is Yours  

This week’s Torah portion of Ki Tavo, ‘When you enter,’ seems to be one of extreme, even diametric contrasts. It opens with the quintessential experience of unparalleled joy and ebullient thankfulness – the ceremony of bringing the first fruit offering to the Holy Temple. Yet this very portion also features the ‘curses’ that would befall Israel if they do not hearken to their commitment to observe G-d’s commandments. How do we account for such a vast dichotomy? In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, we learn that these curses are the product of our own self-induced concealment of Hashem in our lives. Our choice is between sweet and constant renewal born of appreciation and acknowledgement, or its polar opposite: the ultimate Amalek-like nightmare vision of vulnerability, fear and isolation...to be a prisoner in a world gone mad. Fortunately – happily – our Torah portion provides the antidote that helps us overcome the peril of existential angst and fear: serving Hashem with joy and appreciation.  

___ 

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:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV... 

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

Parashat Ki Teitze

The Torah portion of Ki Teitzei opens and closes with the theme of battle, and in between, it features more commandments than any other portion – 74 in all. How do we understand the purpose of these commandments in our lives?  It’s Elul, and our world is in a state of chaos and bewilderment…perfect timing! So many people are fearful, and unsure of the future, as we witness more and more violence, natural disasters, and upheaval all over the world. Our world is shaking, but that's right on schedule...this month of Elul is all being shaken up; about crying out to Hashem and finding Him in our lives. It’s a time of inner spiritual upheavals as well – a different, and very personal, type of battle…with one’s own negative traits. The Divine commandments affords us an enhanced, inner vision into the true essence of reality, providing the toolkit we need to win our most difficult battle. 

___ 

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

Parashat Shoftim: ‘You shall be Wholehearted with Hashem your G-d:’ Don’t be Afraid of Tomorrow     

The beloved month of Elul has arrived! Elul is the last month of the year and in 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 the great challenge of Elul for all seekers of G-d. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss some of the intriguing ideas and special, unique commandments in this week's Torah portion of Shoftim that reflect the nature of this very special month.

___ 

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: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV...  

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

Parashat Re'eh

This week’s Torah portion of Parashat Re’eh (‘See’) presents a call for the Children of Israel to become a just, sensitive society in the land promised to the forefathers, always to remain focused on the presence of G-d in their midst. The whole Torah is about developing a heightened sensitivity to ‘avodat Hashem’…serving G-d through everything that we do. And in our Torah portion this week, the concept of the permanent location of the Holy Temple begins to emerge and take shape: for the first time we are told about ‘The place that Hashem your G-d will choose from among all your tribes to place His Name, there shall you seek out His presence and come there.’ (12:5) In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman examine the challenge of ‘seeing the blessing and curse’ presented in parashat Re’eh, connecting these timeless truths with the fabric of our contemporary reality. 

___ 

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:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV... 

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

Parashat Eikev - 'The Eyes of Hashem, your G-d, are always upon it...' - Deut. 11:12 

The Torah portion of Eikev takes its name from the Hebrew word for ‘heel,’ and this week’s Torah portion begins with an allusion to those commandments that people tend to be less mindful of…perhaps considering them to be of less importance. But how do we know what’s really more, or less, important in G-d’s eyes? In this week’s episode of Jerusalem Lights, our hosts ponder this question. The observance of all G-d’s commandments is greatly emphasized in our portion…and their performance, by Divine design and intention, is irrevocably bound up with Israel’s life in the Land of Israel. We learn much about the remarkable nature of the ‘Good Land’ in this week’s parashat Eikev. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share wisdom and inspiration, elucidating the connection between the Divine covenant, and the Divinely-chosen Land, sanctified above all others – the land where ‘Hashem commands His blessing, life forever’ (Ps. 133:3). 

 ___ 

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:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV... 

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

Parashat Va'Etchanan - Ben and Jerry’s, BDS, and the Myth of ‘Occupied Palestinian Lands’:  It’s Not About Ice Cream    

This week’s Torah portion of Va’Etchanan features many fundamental Torah teachings, including the Shema Yisrael and the Ten Commandments. This Shabbat is also ‘the Sabbath of Consolation,’ and coincides with the ancient holiday of Tu B’Av – the 15th of Av, a day of rejoicing. In this week’s edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman reflect on Moshe’s recollection of his heartfelt plea to the Almighty to be allowed to enter into the ‘Good Land.’ For reasons of His own, G-d denied Moshe’s request to enter into the Land, and although unable to enter, Moshe understood the holiness of the land and loved it ....a powerful and ironic contrast to those today who display contempt and disdain for the Land that G-d chose. Our hosts fume at ice cream giant Ben and Jerry’s politically-motivated decision to boycott ‘occupied Palestinian lands.’ It isn’t about ice cream…it’s about an insidious attempt to delegitimize Israel. Rabbi Richman also reviews recent events on the Temple Mount and asks: to pray or not to pray?  

___ 

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:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV... 

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

Parashat Devarim - How Can We Stop the Cycle of Tisha B’Av Mourning?  

This week we begin to read the book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah, called ‘Devarim’ in Hebrew. Devarim means words, and this book presents the parting words of Moses to the people of Israel. The man of G-d who had been described in the book of Exodus as ‘not a man of words…heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue’ has now become a man of many words, and Deuteronomy features Moshe’s compassionate rebuke, inspiring ethical discourse, instruction for living, and the Torah’s major articles of faith. The first portion of Devarim is always read immediately prior to Tisha b’Av, the Ninth of Av, and this Shabbat is known as ‘the Sabbath of Vision.’ Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore some intense connections between this week’s Torah reading and the upcoming fast day of Tisha B’Av, and share their thoughts and insight on what Torah’s conception of mourning for the Holy Temple is really all about. How we can stop the cycle of mourning and ensure that this is the last Tisha b’Av without the Holy Temple?  

___ 

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:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV... 

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

Parashat Matot-Masei

In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Rabbi Chaim Richman reports about the attempted terror arson attack which took place against his community this past week, and shares his personal pain and insights regarding the heroes who truly risk their lives every day for the sake of the Land of Israel, and the twisted way in which the media portrays them.  This Shabbat is Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the new month, and as we conclude the Book of Numbers with the reading of its last two Torah portions, Matot and Masei, we also usher in the month of Menachem Av – the ‘Consoling Father.’ Although we will soon be observing the fast of Tisha B’Av , the day on which the Holy Temple was destroyed, we are ready to rebuild, and the profound message which the very name of this month conveys is that everything that happens is orchestrated by G-d for the ultimate good. Our hosts share profound Torah thoughts, and Jim Long shares an amazing archeological insight in this week’s Torah reading, as well as reflections on the significance of the first day of this new month being the anniversary of the death of Aaron, the High Priest.

___ 

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.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpV... 

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