The experience of joyous 'dwelling' in the sukkah manifests a sublime level of faith that has significance for the renewal of prophecy, the messianic era and the ultimate redemption of humanity. Sukkot is a time of celebration -- and testing! -- for all the nations of the world. This week, Jim Long joins Rabbi Chaim Richman in Jerusalem for a Sukkot edition of the Jerusalem Lights podcast. ___ Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem...

Yom Kippur, the awesome Day of Atonement, begins this Sunday evening September 24. This week's Jerusalem Lights podcast looks at this amazing day of 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 this beautiful day, as well as the nature of sin and the fine art of repentance – a gift G-d gives to man which can literally help us become...

The holiday of Rosh HaShana ushers in a new year, bringing a Divine embrace of love, renewal, and a new light for the whole world. But what does it mean for each and every one of us? In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman prepare for Rosh HaShana, birthday of Adam and time of momentous judgement - and awakening to G-d’s sovereignty - for all his descendants. Jerusalem Lights wishes everyone blessings for a Good and Sweet New Year! ___ Rabbi Chaim Richman...

The beloved month of Elul is the last month of the year and during these special days, charged with a unique spiritual energy, we focus on 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 everything Elul! Jim Long and...

This week's Jerusalem Lights podcast is in honor of the ancient, unsung Biblical holiday of Tu B'Av, the fifteenth day of the month of Menachem Av, called by our sages 'the happiest day of year.' What is the source of the great joy, and customs of matrimony, associated with this day? Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share Torah wisdom and insights that illuminate the inspiring and revealing lessons of our sages for Tu B'Av, and every day of the year. ___ Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights...

This week the house of Israel observes Tisha B’Av, the day of national mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temple and the tragic template of suffering throughout Jewish history. With so much upheaval in Israel and all over the world, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman examine Tisha B’Av from a fresh perspective that emphasizes the Temple’s role in social justice, human compassion, and the spiritual elevation of all humanity. Our hosts provide insight into what is going on behind the...

This week’s Torah reading cycle begins the book of Deuteronomy, and Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman ponder the transition to this unique book of Torah in this week’s podcast. Our hosts discuss the essential and indispensable Oral Tradition, misunderstood by some as ‘traditions of men’ but in reality, G-d’s own authoritative, sacred wisdom as revealed to Moses at Mount Sinai and passed on through every generation, from teacher to student; an inseparable and integral unit of Torah. ___ Rabbi...

In this week’s rousing episode, hosts Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman focus on the trailblazing work of Biblical archaeologist and Torah scholar Vendyl Jones, Jim’s mentor of blessed memory. Vendyl brought many non-Jews to a recognition of the G-d of Israel and a love for Torah, and Jim reports his experiences after attending an inspiring conference that was recently held in his memory. Rabbi Richman expounds upon Maimonides’ ‘Thirteen Principles of Faith,’ a universal credo that expresses...

In this week’s Torah portion of Pinchas, we meet the High Priest Aaron’s grandson, for whom the portion is named. Pinchas suddenly emerges as a bold new leader for this new generation of the Children of Israel, and his unprecedented strike against the heinous immorality calculated by the wicked Bilaam and King Balak to destroy Israel, earned him a Divinely-appointed 'Covenant of Peace'… and a covenant of 'Eternal Priesthood.' This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast focuses on the unusual step...

(Due to technical issues, this week's podcast is available in audio format only) The Torah portion of Balak introduces Bilaam, the infamous heathen prophet. In addition to being a sorcerer of darkness, he was also a great philosopher and humanitarian, and a glib spinmaster who fancied himself to be a close confident of G-d. This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast examines the nature of this ancient prophet, who used words to hone antisemitism into a fine art, and his legacy in action...

The Hebrew month of Tammuz has now begun, and this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast looks at some of the mystical, as well as practical dimensions of this month, whose main spiritual challenge is associated with the healing of our vision. Things are not always as they appear to be in this life, a theme also expressed in the Torah readings in the book of Numbers. Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman examine the elusive thread that connects the Red Heifer, Moshe’s striking of the rock, and AI…only...

The Torah portion of parashat Korach introduces us to the first rebellion mentioned in Torah (or was it the second?) – the insurgence against Moshe led by the illustrious Levite, Korach. Who was this man and what life-lessons does Torah impart to us through this remarkable episode? Why Did Korach’s showdown with Moshe feature 250 Talitot of pure sky-blue color? In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share Midrashic, spiritual and psychological insights that...

This week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast looks at the enigmatic Generation of the Desert, that generation of Israelites who participated in the Egyptian exodus, were present at the transformative Sinai experience, and rose to a great level of holiness, yet ultimately failed dismally, as we learn from the sin of the spies. How do we understand the extreme dichotomy of people who could be so righteous and yet, so flawed at the same time? Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman examine this question in the...

Now that we have completed the spiritual goals of the Omer and experienced the re-giving of Torah at Mount Sinai on Shavuot, how can we keep up our zeal and enthusiasm in serving G-d all the time? In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share practical advice, wisdom and insights on the Torah’s concept of living with intent, and how important it is that we learn to focus on Hashem’s presence in our lives all year round. ___ Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. Note: The Jerusalem Lights podcast will be...

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! Dr. Kastner's books are available on...

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...

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...

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...

This week marks Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the new Hebrew month of Adar, whose apex is the holiday of Purim. This is a time of year especially associated with joy – but what is the secret of Adar joy, and how can we tap into it all year long? Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore the unique spiritual dimensions of the month of Adar and its confluence with the Torah portion of Terumah, featuring the fascinating concept of the Ark of the Covenant. As the Book of Exodus shifts its focus...