In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author and journalist Judith Shulevitz about the world of Shabbos.
Through The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time, Judith introduced the secular world to the concept of Shabbos. She explores the power of a day of rest and the communal aspect that elevates it.
Tune in to hear a conversation about the world of Shabbos.
Judith is a journalist, editor, author, and critic. She is currently a contributing op-ed writer for The New York Times. Judith’s book, The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time, is a deep exploration of our favorite day of rest, from its ancient origins until today. This book weaves together the story of a day but also the story of one person, with ideas and memories melting into each other. Judith joins us to talk about the complex beauty, and challenges, of Shabbos.
We talk to historian Zev Eleff about what 250 years of Jewish life in America can teach us about religion, identity, and the future of American Judaism.
We talk to Elana Moskowitz about how her American Jewish upbringing shaped her life and worldview.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Leah Forster, a world-famous ex-Hasidic comedian, to talk about how her journey has affected her comedy.
Fruma Schapiro discusses the role of prayer for women and how Jewish mysticism can influence our relationships.
David Bashevkin moderates a discussion on finances within the Orthodox Jewish community.
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.
We talk to Rabbi Shaanan Gelman and his son Ziggy about the persistence of a parent-child relationship when the latter faces addiction.
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.
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.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi David Fohrman – author, lecturer, and founder of the Aleph Beta Academy – to discuss in what genre the Torah is meant to be, and how that should influence the way we think about it.
In this episode, we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunited.
We talk to Michael Eisenberg about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora.
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.
Rabbi YY Jacobson joins us to discuss Torah, spirituality, and the function of humility in religious growth.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down for a special podcast with our host, David Bashevkin, to discuss the podcast’s namesake, the year 1840.
Haviv answers 18 questions on Israel.
We talk to Alana Newhouse about why seemingly everyone is arguing about Israel.
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 this episode, David discusses the mystifying qualities of the Talmud and how we find meaning in the nuance of Talmudic law with special guest Chaim Saiman, professor at Villanova Law School.
Judaism does not value power and might, Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein says—in fact, it abhors it.
On this episode of 18Forty, we have a deeply moving conversation with Mark Moskowitz, an author, speaker, and coach, to talk about his search for meaning in federal prison.
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.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Aliza and Ephraim Bulow, a married couple whose religious paths diverged over the course of their shared life.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Joshua Leifer and Shaindy Ort, married progressive activists who are reembracing traditional Jewish life.
From classics to digital minimalism to friendship, the perfect summer reading list is making its way to your bookshelf.
The Torah’s most controversial hero raises a question every society must answer: When, if ever, is conviction enough?
Perhaps the most fundamental question any religious believer can ask is: “Does God exist?” It’s time we find good answers.
Joy and meaning can be found not only despite the brokenness, but even because of the brokenness.
Tisha B’Av, explains Maimonides, is a reminder that our collective fate rests on our choices.
Rav Froman was a complicated character in Israel and in his own home city of Tekoa, as people from both the right…
Children don’t come with guarantees. Washing machines come with guarantees.
Children cannot truly avoid the consequences of estrangement. Their parents’ shadow will always follow.
My family made aliyah over a decade ago. Navigating our lives as American immigrants in Israel is a day-to-day balance.
Until recently, I too found myself almost entirely estranged from Jewish tradition. My return is showing me what we need to do…
What does it mean to live Jewishly in public—and why does it matter?
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wears the mantle of Kahane in Israel. Many Orthodox Jews welcomed him with open arms.
I consider the Rebbe to be my personal teacher, and I find this teaching particularly relevant for us now.
To talk about the history of Jewish mysticism is in many ways to talk about the history of the mystical community.
A Hezbollah missile killed Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot’s son, Amitai Tzvi, on Oct. 15. Here, he pleas for Haredim to enlist into…
Israel is clearly important to Jews. The question becomes: To what extent?
From Freud through today, our desire to heal asks us to consider why we care so badly—and maybe if it’s hindering the…
Yes, the Israeli army needs Jews to draft, but more than that, Jews need to experience what it means to serve.
A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, a lone soldier, and more. Here are seven olim sharing their stories of aliyah.
Their motivations are not ideological extremism but a basic survival instinct to protect their families from the past’s failed paradigms.
It isn’t only censorship that creates the narrative of our history, but it is every creative endeavor that we engage in.
If You’re Reading These Words is a book in which all the heroes have died, yet it overflows with life.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations…
In order to study Kabbalah, argues Rav Moshe Weinberger, one must approach it with humility.
What is Jewish peoplehood? In a world that is increasingly international in its scope, our appreciation for the national or the tribal…
On this 18Forty panel, we speak with Alex Jakubowski of Lightning Studios, Sara Wolkenfeld of Sefaria, and Ari Lamm of BZ Media…
Rabbi Moshe Gersht first encountered the world of Chassidus at the age of twenty, the beginning of what he terms his “spiritual…
There is circularity that underlies nearly all of rabbinic law. Open up the first page of Talmud and it already assumes that…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with Rabbi Eli Rubin and Rabbi Steven…
Rabbanit Sarah Yehudit Schneider believes meditation is the entryway to understanding mysticism.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue,…
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