Jerusalem Lights

The Holiness of Being Connected to This World    

This week’s double Torah portions of Acharei Mot – Kedoshim features G-d’s calling to Israel, ‘You shall be holy, for I, Hashem your G-d, am holy’ (Lev. 19). What does that mean? How can people be holy in this world, and what is a life of holiness? Is this elusive concept a mystical idea, or can it be translated into everyday, practical terms? 

Listen to Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman’s fascinating conversation about revealing the G-dliness in every area of our lives, in this week’s inspiring Jerusalem Lights podcast.   

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

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

Understanding the Unique Language of the Book of Leviticus:  At 73, Israel’s Prophetic Message for the World

This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, recorded on the eve of Israel Independence Day, celebrates Israel’s 73 birthday! Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share their perspectives and give their personal thanks to G-d for the State of Israel, recount the miracles of its rebirth, contemplate its significance in prophetic fulfillment, and reflect on 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 connect the often misunderstood concepts of spiritual sensitivity found in this week’s twin Torah readings of the portions of Tazria and Metzora with our contemporary reality.

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Rabbi Chaim Richman

Jerusalem Lights |Torah for Everyone

Donate to help support the work of Jerusalem Lights at [email protected] or:

https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?locale.x=en_US

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.rabbirichman.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpVZ_6uuXGnknp2dJD6pSA/featured

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiChaimRichman/

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

Parashat Shemini: The Transcendent Power of Keeping Kosher

The tragic and untimely death of Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu appears in this week’s Torah portion of Shemini. How are we to understand the ‘strange fire’ that these righteous men brought as an offering on the special day of the tabernacle’s inauguration? This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast finds our hosts pondering this question, especially as it relates to our own aspirations and enthusiasm for true spiritual experiences. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman connect the dots between the story of Nadav and Avihu, the laws of kashruth, and these unique days of counting the omer.

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Rabbi Chaim Richman

Jerusalem Lights |Torah for Everyone

Donate to help support the work of Jerusalem Lights at [email protected] or:

https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?locale.x=en_US

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.rabbirichman.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpVZ_6uuXGnknp2dJD6pSA/featured

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiChaimRichman/

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

This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast is a Passover primer! Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman offer an amazing and inspiring analysis of the eternal covenant of the Passover offering, the haggadah and the seder night, the unique prohibition against chometz (leaven) – and the significance of Passover for all mankind. Can Passover be observed by non-Jews? Should it be? Are non-Jews who love the G-d of Israel encouraged to make a Passover seder? Tune into this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast Passover special for the fascinating and uplifting discussion! Plus: The Torah portion of Tzav continues the theme of Temple offerings with which Vayikra began, but the vantage point changes and the perspective is from that of the Kohen. What are the connections between this week’s Torah portion and Passover?   Note: The Jerusalem Lights podcast will be taking a break during Passover week. 

Our next broadcast with G-d’s help, will be Wednesday, April 7th, 2021   

Wishing you blessings for Chag Kasher V’sameach, Passover blessings to the whole world! 

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

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

This week’s Torah portion of Parashat Vayikra begins the book of Leviticus, called by our sages the very ‘heart’ of Torah, which focuses on the korbanot – the offerings that are made in the Holy Temple. Contemporary man has suffered a disconnect from the spiritual foundations of this vastly misunderstood subject, and many misconceptions need to be unlearned -- many ‘sacred cows’ have to be slaughtered in order for us to gain a proper understanding of the system of Temple offerings. In reality, the Divine ‘service’ of the offerings provides us deep insight into humanity’s pivotal role in creation.  The korbanot beckon man to the refinement of his character and urge him to strive for victory in his own constant inner struggle between his G-dly soul and his base animal nature. 

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

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

Jerusalem Lights Podcast #57 - Standing Between the Staves of the Ark of the Covenant  

This week the book of Exodus is concluded with the reading of the last two Torah portions, Vayakhel and Pekudei. On the day following the first Yom Kippur, Moses assembled the entire nation together and conveyed G-d’s message of forgiveness, giving over to them G-d’s commandments of observing the Sabbath and building the Tabernacle—the twin elements for the sanctification of time and space. In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast our hosts reflect on the transcendent, eternal beauty these concepts impart. The tabernacle, with the Ark of the Covenant at its center, is the very expression of man’s participation in the miraculous process of creation. This Shabbat also heralds the arrival of the new month of Nisan, ‘the head of all the months,’ the time of Israel’s past and future redemption, and the great future redemption of all humanity. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman warmly welcome this new month and give testimony to the great spiritual revolution taking place that is embodied by the growing Torah-study community of Jerusalem Lights.   

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

This week’s powerful Torah reading of Ki Tisa features so many concepts that speak to man’s perennial search for a true and meaningful relationship with the Creator, even as he grapples with his own limited humanity. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore the universal meaning of the horrendous Golden Calf episode and it implications for contemporary man, and share knowledge and insight in the wide array of connected topics in our parasha that have great meaning for all true spiritual seekers, such as repentance, humility, G-d’s Divine attributes of mercy….and the secret of the Temple's copper laver, which is all about washing away yesterday. And just why did Moses break the original tablets, anyway? 

Listen and be amazed!

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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

Purim Parallels and Universal Lessons from the Scroll of Esther

The beloved holiday of Purim will be celebrated this week! In this special edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman delve deeply into the multi-faceted dimensions of the Purim story as told by the Scroll of Esther, presenting unique mystical insights, fascinating historical and archeological information, amazing contemporary parallels, and spiritual insights that motivate us all towards spiritual growth, challenging Jew and non-Jew alike to internalize the universal lessons – and redemptive promise – of this ‘highest of all days,’ wherein the true nature of our relationship with our Creator is revealed.

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Rabbi Chaim Richman

Jerusalem Lights |Torah for Everyone

Donate to help support the work of Jerusalem Lights at [email protected] or:

https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?locale.x=en_US

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.rabbirichman.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpVZ_6uuXGnknp2dJD6pSA/featured

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiChaimRichman/

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

The Divine Presence vs. the Spirit of Amalek

This week’s Torah portion of Terumah gives expression to the Creator’s desire to be welcomed into this world – and this changes everything. The message of G-d’s desire that we create a Mikdash – a sanctuary for His presence, first fulfilled with the desert tabernacle and later, through the Holy Temple in Jerusalem -- is a message of love and faith which infuses human existence with purpose and hope. This Shabbat of parashat Terumah is also the special Sabbath known as Shabbat Zachor, wherein, in preparation for the upcoming holiday of Purim, we will read an additional Torah reading: G-d’s commandment to remember the evil Amalek, and to obliterate its memory from the face of the earth (Deut. 25:17​-19). As we discover in this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, these two ideas are polar opposites. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman conduct an exciting and moving exploration of the connection between Amalek’s battle against G-d, and the true meaning of building a sanctuary for G-d in this world.  

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

Jerusalem Lights Podcast #53 - Parashat Mishpatim

Just last week in the Torah portion of Yitro, we stood at Mount Sinai and witnessed the transcendent experience of the Giving of the Torah. This week’s Torah portion of Mishpatim (Ordinances) is firmly anchored in this very physical world…but yet, it is a perfect continuation of the thunderous, Divine Sinai Revelation. This portion contains 53 mitzvoth, and features commandments that relate to the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the individual, as well as the individual as a member of society. This week's Jerusalem Lights podcast focuses on how these commandments, very much about infusing everyday life with moral standards and a proper system for human interaction, are an expression of G-d’s will for a just, caring society. Fulling the Divine commandments in every situation fills the world with the light of G-d’s presence. G-d’s intention is for Israel to receive the Torah at Mount Sinai, and become a nation who lives with G-d in its midst, to be an example to the world.

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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?locale.x=en_US 

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/UCUpVZ_6uuXGnknp2dJD6pSA/featured Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiChaimRichman