In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yisroel Besser, who authored many rabbinic biographies and brought David Bashevkin to Mishpacha magazine, about sharing Jewish stories.
This series is sponsored by an anonymous lover of books.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yisroel Besser, who authored many rabbinic biographies and brought David Bashevkin to Mishpacha magazine, about sharing Jewish stories.
During his prolific career, Yisroel has written about Jewish lives with an eye for the good—and encouraged others along the way. In this episode we discuss:
Top 5 by David Bashevkin
ברגז רחם תזכור by David Bashevkin
Reb Shlomo – The Life and Legacy of Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld by Yisroel Besser
Reb Meilech on the Haggadah by Yisroel Besser
Warmed By the Fire (Intimate Glimpses of Inspiring Leaders) by Yisroel Besser
Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz: His Vision, Wisdom, and Warmth Lit Up the World by Yisroel Besser
We talk to Michael Olshin about the purpose of the gap year in Israel.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rav Moshe Weinberger, rabbi and educator, to discuss the role of mysticism in modern-day Judaism.
Dina Etigson answers eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism, including God’s greater goals for the Jewish People.
The true enemy in Israel’s current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls “Palestinianism.”
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Menachem Penner—dean of RIETS at Yeshiva University—and his son Gedalia—a musician, cantor-in-training, and member of the LGBTQ community—about their experience in reconciling their family’s religious tradition with Gedalia’s sexual orientation.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Joey Rosenfeld, social worker and kabbalist, to talk about the differences between mysticism and rationalism and the roles they should play in our lives.
We talk to Adam Ferziger about how American Jews have helped shape the evolution of Israeli Judaism.
In this episode, we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunited.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ora Wiskind, professor and author, to discuss her life journey, both as a Jew and as an academic, and her attitude towards mysticism.
We talk to Michael Eisenberg about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora.
We revisit the topic of agunot by talking to Sarah Nissel, Yona Elishis, and Keshet Starr.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Liel Leibovitz and Lisa Ann Sandell about what happens when one partner wants to increase their religious practice.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Lizzy Savetsky, who went from a career in singing and fashion to being a Jewish activist and influencer, about her work advocating for Israel online.
We speak with Rabbi Aaron Kotler about the beginnings of the American yeshiva world.
We talk to Alana Newhouse about why seemingly everyone is arguing about Israel.
On this episode of 18Forty, we have a frank conversation with author Kayla Haber-Goldstein about her personal, painful journey to find God.
Haviv answers 18 questions on Israel.
How can our generation understanding mysticism, philosophy, and suffering in today’s chaotic world?
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and a leader of the Reform Movement, about the understanding of Jewish Peoplehood among the heterodox majority of American Jews.
Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer answers 18 questions on Israel, including the Haredi draft, Israel as a religious state, Messianism, and so much more.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Moshe Koppel, professor of computer science at Bar-Ilan University to discuss some of the ideas in his books Judaism Straight Up and Meta-Halakhah. We discuss how to conceptualize the halachic system and explore how Halacha’s development can be seen through the prism of language and…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin opens up about his mental health journey.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Frieda Vizel—a formerly Satmar Jew who makes educational content about Hasidic life—about her work presenting Hasidic Williamsburg to the outside world, and vice-versa.
In the eyes of the great architect of the yeshiva world, the world itself is a Torah text—and we ought to study…
Perhaps the most fundamental question any religious believer can ask is: “Does God exist?” It’s time we find good answers.
What Behaalotcha teaches us about spiritual signs, religious uncertainty, and finding God.
I, for one, care deeply about the future of long books—and about reclaiming my own ability to read them. Here’s what I’ve…
The story of Yitro, Denmark’s rescue of its Jews, and the enduring truth that people always have a choice
Joy and meaning can be found not only despite the brokenness, but even because of the brokenness.
Rav Froman was a complicated character in Israel and in his own home city of Tekoa, as people from both the right…
Yes, the Israeli army needs Jews to draft, but more than that, Jews need to experience what it means to serve.
My family made aliyah over a decade ago. Navigating our lives as American immigrants in Israel is a day-to-day balance.
Children cannot truly avoid the consequences of estrangement. Their parents’ shadow will always follow.
A Hezbollah missile killed Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot’s son, Amitai Tzvi, on Oct. 15. Here, he pleas for Haredim to enlist into…
To talk about the history of Jewish mysticism is in many ways to talk about the history of the mystical community.
I consider the Rebbe to be my personal teacher, and I find this teaching particularly relevant for us now.
Children don’t come with guarantees. Washing machines come with guarantees.
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wears the mantle of Kahane in Israel. Many Orthodox Jews welcomed him with open arms.
From verses in Parshat Bo to desert caves, tefillin emerge as one of Judaism’s earliest embodied practices.
Christianity’s focus on the afterlife historically discouraged Jews from discussing it—but Jews very much believe in it.
From Freud through today, our desire to heal asks us to consider why we care so badly—and maybe if it’s hindering the…
If You’re Reading These Words is a book in which all the heroes have died, yet it overflows with life.
Rav Tzadok held fascinating views on the history of rabbinic Judaism, but his writings are often cryptic and challenging to understand. Here’s…
A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, a lone soldier, and more. Here are seven olim sharing their stories of aliyah.
It isn’t only censorship that creates the narrative of our history, but it is every creative endeavor that we engage in.
Israel is clearly important to Jews. The question becomes: To what extent?
What is Jewish peoplehood? In a world that is increasingly international in its scope, our appreciation for the national or the tribal…
In a disenchanted world, we can turn to mysticism to find enchantment, to remember that there is something more under the surface…
Rabbi Moshe Gersht first encountered the world of Chassidus at the age of twenty, the beginning of what he terms his “spiritual…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue,…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, recorded live at Stern College, we speak with Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, director of NCSY Kollel,…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations…
As a Chabad Hasid, Rabbi Zevi Slavin’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich traditions of Chassidut and Kabbala.
In order to study Kabbalah, argues Rav Moshe Weinberger, one must approach it with humility.
18Forty is a new media company that helps users find meaning in their lives through the exploration of Jewish thought and ideas.…
On this 18Forty panel, we speak with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper and Sofer.ai CEO Zach Fish about how AI is reshaping questions of…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Shais Taub, the rabbi behind the organization SoulWords, about shame, selfhood, and…
Rabbanit Sarah Yehudit Schneider believes meditation is the entryway to understanding mysticism.
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