Jerusalem Lights

Breaking the Template: Do We Have Free Will or is Everything Predetermined?

This week the Hebrew calendar marks the Fast Day of Tammuz 17, which begins a three-week  period of introspection and mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temple. Is there a message in these days for Gentiles as well as Jews? In this week’s episode of the Jerusalem Lights podcast, our hosts relate to this question against the backdrop of the preeminent Torah principle of free will. In this week’s Torah reading, Pinchas, grandson of the High Priest Aaron, single handedly staves off a devastating plague by striking a zealous blow against immorality, earning him a unique, new status of priesthood…and a ‘covenant of peace.’ Who was Pinchas and what was his unique contribution to the nation of Israel? Rabbi Chaim Richman and Jim Long share the fascinating background of this week’s Torah portion of Pinchas, and find chillingly timely, precise parallels between these lessons, and events currently taking place in America and throughout the world.

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Rabbi Chaim Richman

Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone

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In Israel:

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The Heathen Prophet Bilaam vs. the Existence of Israel - World Hypocrisy and Israel’s ‘Flagrant Violation of International Law’

This week’s double Torah reading outside the Land of Israel, of the portions of Chukat and Balak together, brings the Diaspora back in sync with the Torah reading in the Land of Israel. The two portions together form an amazing tapestry of the new generation, poised to enter into the promised land. Parashat Chukat begins with the elusive Divine decree of the red heifer and continues with vast ideas and precedents: the passing of Miriam and Aaron, Moshe’s inexplicable striking of the rock, and more. The portion of Balak focuses on the evil alliance of King Balak with the heathen prophet Bilaam, a man whose curses were usually fatal. Yet G-d changed his curses upon Israel into blessings. What was the motivation behind this ancient anti-Israel movement? Why did the entry of the Children of Israel into their land pose such a perceived threat to the balance of power? What was the true motivation behind these curses, and who was Bilaam? This week on the Jerusalem Lights podcast, our hosts delve deeply into both Torah portions and find intriguing, eternal truths that impact upon the destiny of Israel as well as the  lives of all those who cherish the G-d of Israel… and mirror the chaos reflected in today’s headlines.

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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:

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In the USA:

Jerusalem Lights Inc.

Post Office Box 16886

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In Israel:

Tel 972 54 7000395

Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem Israel

Narcissism in the Garb of Civil Rights Activism

And, the Dilemma of Israel’s Annexation Question and Lessons of the Month of Tammuz

The charismatic Korach, a Levite of distinction, leads a rebellion against the authority of Moses, ostensibly championing equality and social justice…but it is quickly revealed that his incitement is not directed against Moses alone, but against G-d Himself. His ego-driven rebellion is actually a manifestation of his own myopic, narcissistic world view. Pretending to be concerned about the welfare of the nation, he is only concerned with himself; he is the very opposite of Moses, who is altogether without ego, and places the nation above his own life.  In this week’s podcast Rabbi Chaim Richman and Jim Long ponder the incident of Korach and discuss remarkable parallels to our own time. Throughout history and today as well, we are witness to movements that purport to represent social justice, and are willing to re-write the narrative of history to fit the requirement of their agenda.  Our hosts deliver a fitting lesson for all who love the G-d of Israel, Jew and non-Jew alike, to connect to the energy of this month of Tammuz, with its special qualities and the opportunity it presents to us…the challenge to heal our vision.

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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:

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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 Sin of Evil Speech and the Law of Reciprocity - Speaking Against the Land of Israel: An Ancient Sin with a Modern Twist

The Torah portion of Shelach begins a turning point in history. Moses sends 12 upstanding, righteous men to spy out the Land of Canaan in preparation for the Children of Israel's entry into the Land. Ten of these men come back with an evil, slanderous report that causes the people to despair and cry. This was the first Tisha B'Av, and the disastrous sin of speaking evil against the Land of Israel became the precipitant of countless generations of suffering. What caused these men to undergo such a crisis in faith, and what is the message for our generation? In this week's podcast, Rabbi Chaim Richman and Jim Long ponder the perplexing, painful episode of the spies' slander against the Land, and examine why G-d considered this to be a sin of such magnitude -- more serious than even the transgression of the Golden Calf -- that He decreed this generation would not enter into the Land, but would wander in the desert for forty years. Our hosts connect this untoward incident with the other aspects of this Torah portion, and offer some fascinating insights that can aid us in doing our part to rectify the sin of the spies against the Land of Israel.

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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:

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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 Annexation Question and the Book of Numbers: Do Jewish Lives in the Land of Israel Matter?

The Torah portion Behalotcha read this week in the Diaspora features an incident that shares a theme with the portion of Shelach, read this week in Israel: rebellion against the Land of Israel and a lack of faith in G-d’s promise that Israel can enter the Land and prosper…yet love and devotion to Hashem shines through as well. Rabbi Chaim Richman and Jim Long closely examine a thread that connects between these Torah portions and the burning issues of the day, from Covid-19 to George Floyd protests to the contentious issue of Israeli annexation. Our hosts find that the template and pattern of the challenges facing us today is foreshadowed by the teachings of these Torah portions, shedding bright light on the foibles of human nature which Hashem’s Torah empowers us to overcome.

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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

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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

Priestly Blessing of Peace for a World Gone Mad:   Torah Presents Hashem’s Vision for A Just and Loving Society

As both peaceful as well as violent demonstrations, marches and incidents of looting and killing have plagued American cities, this week's edition of the Jerusalem Lights Podcast focuses on the Torah's concepts of society to be founded on justice for all, compassion, acts of kindness, and above all, the value of peace, as Hashem's greatest blessings for humanity...but as in every area of human endeavor, it is up to us to make the right decisions. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss themes of this week's Torah reading of the portion of Naso as they relate to these as-yet unfolding events.

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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:

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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

News Flash: G-d Gave Israel the Torah at Sinai Because He Loves This World…and He Loves Man

This week, with the completion of the counting of the Omer, we welcome the Festival of Shavuot, anniversary of the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. This week’s Jerusalem Lights Podcast is a veritable Shavuot primer, as our hosts explore many layers and levels of the multifaceted festival and open new dimensions for us on this eminently important time, a time of joyous renewal for all who love Hashem, Jew and Gentile alike. Jim Long and Rabbi Richman discuss amazing Torah insights, and Jim Long shares some moving aspects of the personal story of how he came to Torah and declared himself to be a Noahide….a non-Jew who loves Hashem, Torah and Israel.

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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:

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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

Is Torah for everyone, or only for Israel? What does the festival of  Shavuot mean for the spiritual seekers of the nations of the world?

The Jerusalem Lights podcast celebrates the holy city this week, in honor of Jerusalem Day (the 28th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar), which will take place this year on Friday May 22nd. Jerusalem Day marks the day on which Jerusalem was liberated and unified during the Six Day War of 1967, and this year marks the 53rdanniversary. Our hosts reflect upon the spiritual power and preeminence of this special city and its unique distinction as the city chosen by G-d. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman also introduce the Book of Numbers which we begin reading this week in our annual cycle of the Torah portions. The book of Numbers is all about the desert – a fitting segue to the topic of the upcoming Festival of Shavuot. Why was the Torah given in the middle of the desert? And for that matter: Is Torah for everyone, or only for Israel? Tune into this week’s episode for insights and inspiration.

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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:

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Subscribe to our newsletter at www.rabbirichman.com

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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 Unbreakable Connection of the People of Israel with the Land of Israel: One Living Unit…and a Message for the World

We bid farewell to the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) as the cycle of this third book of the Torah draws to a close this week with the reading of its two final Torah portions, Behar and Bechukotei. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman focus on the commandment of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, an amazing bisect of time and space that demonstrates holiness on even the most physical level of earthiness. Our hosts explore the idea that the ‘shemita’ Sabbatical year is both a manifestation of the continuation of the Sinai Revelation experience, as well as a powerful demonstration of Israel’s irrevocable bond with the Land. But these concepts convey a wonderful message for all those of the nations who love the G-d of Israel as well!

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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:

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Subscribe to our newsletter at www.rabbirichman.com

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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 Kohanim and the Calendar: Striving Towards an Elevated Perception of Reality