18Forty Podcast
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Helping you find meaning in life through the exploration of Jewish thought and ideas.
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5 days ago
Noa Lewis: How Can We Help Israel? Finding Our Purpose
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Noa Lewis, CEO of Echad and a volunteer with the IDF’s women’s casualty-treatment unit, about the sense of purpose it takes to unify the Jewish People with the Land of Israel.
In dire times, we are compelled to move collectively closer to fulfilling the redemptive vision of every Jew living up to their ultimate mission. And Noa, with all of the work she does for the Jewish nation, is the perfect inspiration for us to look toward. In this episode we discuss:*
*
* What makes someone feel called to do the holy work of caring for the dead bodies of _Chayalim_?
* What has been the atmosphere of everyday life in Israel during the war?
* What does it mean to live a purpose-driven life?*
*Tune in to hear a conversation about how we can use our ordinary human bodies to carry out the extraordinary responsibility of being a part of _Am Yisroel_.
*
*Interview begins at 10:45.
*
*Born in Jerusalem and having lived in the Ukraine and Australia, Noa is the founder and CEO of ECHAD and the director of OLAH, a program that brings European Jewish women together for learning, community involvement, and entrepreneurship. Noa has founded and managed a youth program in the Ukraine, opened and managed a women’s Jewish learning center in Australia and initiated many community activities including international group tours to Israel and has project managed many community events. Noa has a wealth of experience initiating and developing community projects connecting different Jewish communities around the world and is an active volunteer in a unit for emergency services.
*References:
*Parshat Korach
Genesis 22:19
Isaiah 60:21*
*
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Nov 28, 2023
The Opportunity and Difficulty of Unity: On the Israel March
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Eric Fingerhut—president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America—and Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff, a scholar and professor at Yeshiva University, about the need for Jewish unity and the barriers to achieving it.
In recent weeks, the Jewish community has been confronted with questions of collective Jewish existence in a way we haven’t seen in decades. In response, the Jewish world has had to join together with an _achdus_ we previously weren’t even sure was possible. In this episode we discuss:*
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* What went into planning the historic and enormous March for Israel?
* What are the opportunities and challenges for Jewish unity in times of crisis?
* What can the current movement for Jewish solidarity learn from past moments from American and Jewish history? Tune in to hear a conversation about mobilizing a people known for its proclivity for disagreement.
*
*Interview with Eric Fingerhut begins at 7:26.
Interview with Rabbi Rakeffet begins at 56:31
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*Eric Fingerhut is the President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. Prior to his appointment at JFNA, Fingerhut served as the President and CEO of Hillel International from 2013-19. He was an Ohio state senator from 1997 to 2006, and he represented Ohio’s 19th congressional district in the U.S. Congress from 1993 to 1994.
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff is a renowned scholar, historian, author, and teacher, and he is currently professor of rabbinic literature at Yeshiva University’s Caroline and Joseph S. Gruss Institute in Jerusalem. Rabbi Rakeffet has written many entries for Encyclopedia Judaica, including the one on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Rabbi Rakeffet served in the Israel Defense Forces until the maximum allowable age, and served in Lebanon during the 1982 Lebanon War. In 1980, he was recruited by Aryeh Kroll to join Mossad's clandestine Nativ operation to teach Torah in the Soviet Union.*
References:*
*
*_The Glue, with Eric Fingerhut_
_Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn_ by Daniel Gordis
_Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation _by Yossi Klein Halevi
“Rabbinic Authority and Leadership On the Contemporary Scene” by Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff
Taanit 20a
“Crisis Management” by David Bashevkin
“Rafael Halperin”*
*
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Nov 21, 2023
Doron Perez: Our Heart: One Child Married, One Child Missing
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Rabbi Doron Perez, executive chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement, about the sacrifices the Jewish People must make to preserve the precious gift of the State of Israel.
In a single day, Rabbi Doron Perez found out that his son Yonatan had been shot and injured in the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks—and his other son, Daniel, was “missing in action” and presumably held hostage. Only 10 days later, the family went on to hold Yonatan’s wedding, with Daniel’s status still completely unknown.
In this episode we discuss:*
*
* What is the experience of a parent with a child who is held hostage?
* How does family life go on when a child is missing?
* What is the role of joy in a time of tragedy?Tune in to hear a conversation about the tears of suffering that fuel our future tears of _simcha_.
Interview begins at 5:40.
Rabbi Doron Perez is the executive chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement, a position he has held since he returned to Israel in 2014 from Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the author of the book _Leading the Way_, and a sought-after speaker and scholar-in-residence in communities in Israel and around the world. At World Mizrachi, Doron’s major focus is on organizational transformation and invigorating the global Religious Zionist movement with its dual focus on Jewish and Zionist identity and destiny.
*References:
*Shir HaShirim Rabbah 5:2
_The Jewish State: From Opposition to Opportunity_ by Doron Perez
_Pachad Yitzchak al Shavuot_ by Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner
Jeremiah 31
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Nov 14, 2023
Yosef Zvi Rimon: What Happens To Jewish Law During War?
In this episode of the 1_8Forty Podcast_, we talk to Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, the esteemed Israeli _posek_, about the role of halacha during a war. Additionally, we are joined by Rabbi Shmuel Ismach, a rebbe at Yeshiva University and a rabbi at Young Israel of Great Neck.
Amid the darkest and most chaotic times, we require the guidance of halacha even more than usual. And we see from Rabbi Rimon that halacha is not just a set of laws, but also the poetry that enables us to move forward. In this episode we discuss:
* What kinds of halachic questions does a rabbi need to answer when a war breaks out?
* Should a soldier donate a kidney during a war? Can a couple get married when people are dying? Should we really believe that God is with us when we’re being attacked?
* What kinds of questions does Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon ask to the soldiers?Tune in to hear a conversation about the redemption we can find even when it seems out of reach.
*
*Rabbi Shmuel Ismach joins at 15:22.
Interview with Rabbis Shmuel Ismach and Yosef Zvi Rimon begins at 23:13.
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*Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon is a prolific author of Halachic books which reflect his unique approach, taking the reader from the sources to the practical application of Halacha in our modern reality. Rav Rimon is Founder and Chairman of the Halacha Education Center which develops innovative educational curricula for Jewish studies using cutting-edge technologies, in Israel and abroad. In 2015, Rav Rimon was appointed the Rabbinic Head of Jerusalem College of Technology and Head of its Batei Midrash. A popular lecturer, Rav Rimon is frequently invited by communities in Israel, North America, the UK and Australia. He also serves as the Rabbi of Alon Shvut South in Gush Etzion. As Founder and Chairman of JobKatif, Rav Rimon was awarded the President’s Prize for Volunteerism in 2008 and the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism in 2014. Some of his published works in English include a commentary on the Haggadah, _Shemita: From the Sources to Practical Halacha_, and a Yom Kippur Machzor, available in both Nusach Ashkenaz and Nusach Sefarad editions.
*
References:
*_Shemita: From the Sources to Practical Halacha_ by Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon
_Shabbat_ by Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon
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Nov 7, 2023
What Is Happening With Jewish Students and Antisemitism?
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to journalist Matti Friedman, author of _Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai_, about how the Israel-Hamas war is (mis)understood globally.
Additionally, we speak to a series of students and educators about the state of antisemitism on school campuses. Special thanks to these guests: Moshe, Micah Greenland, Derek Gormin, Ben Spanjer, Nati Stern, and Celeste.
In this episode we discuss:*
*
* What gets lost in translation when we superimpose Americanized notions of racism and colonialism onto the Middle East?
* What drew Leonard Cohen to go to Israel during the Yom Kippur War?
* What help is being offered right now to Jewish students in American public schools?*
*Tune in to hear a conversation about Jewish identity, moral clarity, and human resilience in times of crisis.
Interview with Matti Friedman begins at 11:45.
Campus interviews begin at 37:46.
*
*Matti Friedman’s work as a reporter has taken him from Lebanon to Morocco, Cairo, Moscow and Washington, D.C., and to conflicts in Israel and the Caucasus. He has been a correspondent for the Associated Press, and his writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Tablet Magazine, and elsewhere. He grew up in Toronto and lives in Jerusalem. _The Aleppo Codex_, his first book (Algonquin, 2012) won the 2014 Sami Rohr Prize and the ALA's Sophie Brody Medal, among other honors. His second book, _Pumpkinflowers: A Soldier's Story_ (Algonquin, May 2016) won starred reviews in Kirkus, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, and was compared by the New York Times to Tim O'Brien's masterpiece _The Things They Carried_.
*
References:*
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*_Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israe_l by Matti Friedman
_Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai_ by Matti Friedman
“Who by Fire” by Leonard Cohen
“Who by Fire” by Rufus Wainwright and Amsterdam Sinfonietta
_The Aleppo Codex: In Pursuit of One of the World’s Most Coveted, Sacred, and Mysterious Books_ by Matti Friedman
“An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth” by Matti Friedman
“Israel’s Problems Are Not Like America’s” by by Matti Friedman
_Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition_ by David Nirenberg
“The Decolonization Narrative Is Dangerous and False” by Simon Sebag Montefiore
“Leonard Cohen speaks about G-d consciousness and Judaism (1964)”
“The Anguished Fallout from a Pro-Palestinian Letter at Harvard” by Eren Orbey
“We Stand Together With Israel Against Hamas”
“Modernity and Messiah: On Parshas Noach and the Human Capacity for Revolution” by David Bashevkin
“Why Jews Cannot Stop Shaking Right Now” by Dara Horn*
*
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Oct 31, 2023
Daniel Statman: Can War Be Moral? On Moral Philosophy and War
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Daniel Statman, a professor of philosophy at the University of Haifa, about what it means to wage a moral war.
Professor Statman helped revise _Ruach Tzahal_, the IDF’s code of ethics, which outlines the values that determine what the IDF can and can’t do during a war. Understanding these specifics is vital in a time when there is so much at stake morally and the Israeli army receives so much (often uninformed) criticism. In this episode we discuss:*
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* How does an Israeli moral philosopher react to the recent terror attacks and their repercussions?
* What are the ethics of fighting a war in a civilian-populated area?
* What can Avraham Avinu teach us about restraint in battle?*
*Tune in to hear a conversation about the complexities of the permissions of war.
Interview begins at 10:46.
*
*Daniel Statman chairs the philosophy department at the University of Haifa, Israel. His recent books are _State and Religion in Israel_ (Cambridge 2019, with Gidi Sapir) and _War By Agreement_ (Oxford 2019, with Yitzhak Benbaji).
*
References:*
*
*_Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism_ by Jeffrey Toobin
_Ruach Tzahal_
Genesis 18
_Just and Unjust Wars_ by Michael Walzer
_War By Agreement_ by Yitzhak Benbaji and Daniel Statman
Remarks by the President at the Acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize
“War Is a Very Ugly Thing but Not the Ugliest” by Dov Lerner
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Oct 24, 2023
The Trauma of War: Mental Health Professionals in Israel
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk about mental health amid the current war with Dr. Danny Brom of Metiv, Mike Meyerheim and Susan Cohen of KeepOlim, Rabbi Reuven Taragin of Acheinu, Dr. Ayala Dayan, Dr. Jacob Freedman, and three students spending a gap year in Israel.
In this episode we discuss:*
*
* What is the science of war-induced trauma?
* How can we meet the emotional needs of “lone soldiers”?
* How can we maintain unity during frightening times?*
*Tune in to hear a conversation about the resiliency that has enabled the Jewish people to stay together for millenia.
Interview with Danny Brom begins at 7:55.
Interview with Mike Meyerheim and Susan Cohen begins at 32:66.
Message from Ayala Dayan begins at 51:38.
Interview with Reuven Taragin begins at 1:00:20.
Interviews with students begin at 1:08:56.
Interview with Jacob Freedman begins at 1:13:43.
*
References:*
*
Metiv*
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Psalms 126*
*
KeepOlim
Acheinu *
*
_Tuesdays with Morrie_ by Mitch Albom*
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_Living in the Presence: A Jewish Mindfulness Guide to Everyday Life _by Benjamin Epstein *
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_Mindfulness: A Jewish Approach_ by Dr. Jonathan Feiner*
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_Off The Couch_ by Jacob L. Freedman *
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_Me and Uncle Baruch_ by Jacob L. Freedman *
*
_Reading Jewish History in the Parsha _with David Bashevkin*
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Oct 16, 2023
Voices from Israel
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we listen to the voices of several of our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael, including Naama, Tania Hammer, Gedalia Zemel, Rabbi Dov Fendel, Rav Elyada Goldvicht, Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel, Jeremy and Emily Tibbetts, Sruli Fruchter, and our dearest friend Denah Emerson.
In light of the terror attacks, everyone in Israel has been called to help in whatever way possible, and they’ve proven that heroism is a team effort and can take place in unexpected forms. In this episode we discuss:
* How do we stay collectively anchored during upside-down times?
* Does God cry?
* How can we stay strong in the face of crisis?*
*Tune in to hear the stories of those who have been on the ground during this transformative event.
*
*Guest messages begin at 16:54.
*
References:
*Numbers 10
Jerusalem Talmud: Shekalim 6
Chagigah 5b
Psalms 30
*To support the incredible work of our guests like Tania and get much needed supplies to _chayalim_, please consider a donation to the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center.*
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Oct 11, 2023
Reading Jewish History in the Parsha
*This podcast was recorded before the recent horrific terrorism against Israel and unspeakable atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish People. We decided to share this Torah initiative now to encourage learning the parsha each week for the protection and success of the State of Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.*
**
*This episode is sponsored by Janet and Lior Hod and family, with immense gratitude to Hashem.*
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we introduce our new initiative “Reading Jewish History in the Parsha.” Each week, David Bashevkin will take you through the original "I Read This Over Shabbos," in this series of shiurim and essays on the All Parsha app and on Substack.
Here, we speak to Rabbi Moshe Schwed, creator of All Parsha. Tune in to hear about _shnayim mikrah_ and the art of translation.
Interview with Moshe Schwed begins at 28:55.
Rabbi Schwed serves as the Director of the OU Daf Yomi Initiative. After receiving semicha from Beth Medrash Govoha, Rabbi Schwed taught in Yeshiva Gedolah Kesser Torah. Rabbi Schwed is an alumnus of Yeshivos Long Beach and Brisk.
References:
_Why Pick On Me_? by Louis Sachar
_Molly's Pilgrim _by Barbara Cohen
@ShabbosReads
Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim
Exodus 1:1
Megillah 9a
_Printer's Error: Irreverent Stories from Book History_ by Rebecca Romney
_The Art of Bible Translation_ by Robert Alter
_The Living Torah _by Aryeh Kaplan
_Community, Covenant And Commitment: Selected Letters And Communications_ by Joseph B. Soloveitchik
Likutei Moharan 19
Tiferet Yisrael 13
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Oct 9, 2023
Pray for Israel
In times like these, it feels impossible to find words.
No individual has words to describe this horror, but we—the Jewish People—do have words.
We turn to the only words we have left: words of prayer, of comfort, of our prophets, and of Torah.
We are with Israel in love, support, and prayer. May God protect the Jewish People.
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Sep 19, 2023
Estrangement and Reconciliation: Teshuva for Our Relationships [Teshuva 5/5]
*This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by Dr. Leah Younger of Younger Psychology.*
*
*In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to psychologist Dr. Joshua Coleman, about the nuances of familial estrangement and reconciliation.
Then, we hear from mindset coach Jason Blau and translator Izzy Posen about how these issues play out within the Jewish community. In this episode we discuss:*
*
* What strategies can be employed by families carrying the burden of strife and negativity?
* What are the common triggers of family estrangement, and how can those in strained relationships move forward?
* What is the role of family in a world of optionality?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we can make peace with the “ghosts” of our past.
*
*Interview with Joshua Coleman begins at 8:54.
Interview with Jason Blau begins at 54:42.
Interview with Izzy Posen begins at 1:15:42.
*
*Dr. Joshua Coleman is a psychologist in private practice…
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Sep 12, 2023
Rabbi Michael Rosensweig: The Majesty of Torah Study [Teshuva 4/5]
*This series is sponsored by our friends Mira and Daniel Stokar.*
*
*In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, a Rosh Yeshiva and the Rosh Kollel of the Beren Kollel Elyon at RIETS, about how we can return as a people to the world of Torah study.
Rabbi Rosensweig is the author of the recently published book _Mimini Mikhael - Essays on Yom Kippur and Teshuvah_, which is the centerpiece of this conversation. In this episode we discuss: *
*
* How does teaching Torah to a broad audience compare with teaching high-level students?
* What should we hope to achieve on Yom Kippur?
* What is the relationship between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?*
*Tune in to hear a conversation about how a teshuva sheleima begins with a return to the majesty of Torah.
*
*Interview begins at 11:47.
*
*Rabbi Dr. Michael Rosensweig is a Rosh Yeshiva and the Rosh Kollel of the Beren Kollel Elyon at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) at Yeshiva Universit…
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Sep 5, 2023
Infidelity: Consequences and Aftermath [Teshuva 3/5]
*This series is sponsored by our friends Mira and Daniel Stokar.*
*
*In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to an anonymous guest about infidelity and its consequences and aftermath. Additionally, we receive the expertise of clinical psychologist Dr. Malika Bhowmik, on re-establishing intimacy after violations of trust.
We love to tell teshuva stories that have perfect and happy endings, but sometimes the most meaningful teshuva does not fix all of one’s problems immediately. In this episode we discuss:*
*
* What does it mean to save a relationship that can no longer continue?
* How does one rebuild their religious identity after having their “good guy” image destroyed?
* Should an unfaithful spouse “come clean,” or should they “bear the brunt of the guilt” in secret?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we can strengthen our essential relationships and revitalize the excitement, joy, and sweetness of our religious lives.
*
*Interview with our anonym…
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Aug 29, 2023
Martha Minow: When Law Should Forgive: On the Limitations of Teshuva [Teshuva 2/5]
*This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by our friends at Shikey Press, a boutique publisher of Jewish content disrupting the traditional model of book publishing.*
*
*In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Martha Minow, a legal scholar and a professor at Harvard Law School, about forgiveness, law, and the boundaries of teshuva.
In a world of ubiquitous transgression, our desire for justice and healing feels perpetually unsatisfied. Why is reconciliation seemingly so hard to get right? In this episode we discuss:*
*
* How is doing teshuva different from confessing in court?
* What is the role of reparations in reconciliation?
* Why is forgiveness such an important part of human culture?Tune in to hear a conversation about why teshuva transcends our systems of justice.
Interview begins at 17:13.
*
*Martha Minow is a legal scholar and professor at Harvard Law School, where she has taught since 1981. Martha serves as the 12…
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Aug 22, 2023
Rav Daniel Kalish: The Song of Teshuva [Teshuva 1/5]
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by our anonymous friend R.G.
*
*In this episode of the_18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Rabbi Daniel Kalish, Menahel of the Mesivta of Waterbury, about how, with the right help, every person can forge their own path of religious commitment. We also get to meet five of Rabbi Kalish’s students, as well as a Mesivta of Waterbury dorm counselor.
In a Jewish world full of pre-blazed trails, one of the great challenges of our time is the task of harnessing our passions to find our own way. In this episode we discuss: *
*
* How can teenagers acquire a newfound fire in their spiritual lives?
* What goes into a positive parent-child relationship?
* What is the relationship between song, teshuva, and Torah? *
*Tune in to hear a conversation about how all of us have the power to find the song of teshuva in our lives.
Interview begins at 18:12.
*
*Rabbi Daniel Kalish is the Menahel of the Mesivta of Waterbury.…
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Jul 25, 2023
'Everything About Her Was Worth It': The Life of Yakira Leeba Schwartz A"H
*This episode is sponsored by Dani and Nechamie Silberberg-Chitrik, in appreciation of the _18Forty Podcast_ and the work it does in having meaningful and thought-provoking conversations across all areas of Jewish life. *
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Sara and Avi Schwartz about the life and loss of their daughter, Yakira Leeba Schwartz A”H. Additionally, we speak with Shelley and Ruvan Cohen about Nathaniel Cohen A”H.
As we move toward Tisha B'Av, we hear two stories of how _chesed_ has brought comfort to individuals enduring the most devastating losses. In this episode we discuss:
* What does it mean to live the fullest life possible with a disease such as muscular dystrophy?
* What is it like to care for a child who is very sick?
* What occurs during the days after the loss of a child?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we stay anchored and full of faith and loving-kindness amid the most difficult times.
*
*Shelley and Ruvan Cohen interview b…
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Jul 18, 2023
Yisroel Besser: How To Share Jewish Stories [Books II 4/4]
*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: *
*
* How does Yisroel go about writing a rabbi’s biography?
* What is the difference between “Shabbos for children” and “Shabbos for grown-ups”?
* What unexpected topic does Yisroel wish he could write about?Tune in to hear a conversation about looking at others with “beautiful eyes,” to tell their stories with a capacity to uplift.
*
*Interview begins at 19:44.
*
*Yisroel Besser is an author and journalist. Yisroel writes for _Mishpacha_ magazine, and has authored several books, such as _Reb Shayele: The Warmth and Wonder of Kerestir_, _The Tosher Rebbe_, and…
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Jul 11, 2023
Dara Horn: On Jewish Fiction and Non-Jewish Fiction [Books II 3/4]
*This series is sponsored by an anonymous lover of books. *
**
*This episode is sponsored by **Twillory**. Use the coupon code 18Forty to get $18 off of all orders more than $139. *
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, we talk to Dara Horn, a leading contemporary Jewish writer, about how fiction and non-fiction can change the way we view our fellow Jews. While we at 18Forty love scholarly and factual writing, fiction has long enabled the Jewish people to be more imaginative and contemplative about the meaning of Jewish identity and memory in our collective past, present, and future. In this episode we discuss:
* What is Dara Horn’s writing process?
* What is the role of belief in literature?
* Are there living Jews whom we struggle to love? Tune in to hear a conversation about how, as Dara says, “the uncomfortable moments are where the story is.”
Interview begins at 7:17. Dara Horn is a Jewish American novelist, essayist, and professor of literature. She has writte…
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Jul 4, 2023
Sarah Hurwitz and Alex Edelman: On Introducing Judaism [Books II 2/4]
*This series is sponsored by an anonymous lover of books. *
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This episode is sponsored by Twillory. Use the coupon code 18Forty to get $18 off of all orders more than $139. *
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*In this episode of the _18Forty Podcas_t, we talk to returning guest comedian Alex Edelman, whose* show* has made it to Broadway, and his _chavrusa_, Sarah Hurwitz, former White House speechwriter and the author of* Here All Along,* about how to introduce people to a Judaism that is both inclusive and rigorous.
*
*In this episode we discuss: *
*
* How does Alex Edelman write a one-man show “_chavrusa_-style”?
* What, according to Sarah Hurwitz, is the difference between “writing to be read” and “writing to be heard”?
* How does a writer bring a rich and relevant body of Jewish knowledge to the masses?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the “neon entrance signs” of Jewish life and how every Jew can find a way into appreciating their inheritance.
*
*Alex Edelman interview begins at 13:32…
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Jun 27, 2023
Josh Foer: How Can You Make a Digital Library for All? [Books II 1/4]
*This series is sponsored by an anonymous lover of books.
*In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Joshua Foer, co-founder of Sefaria, about the revolutionary digital Jewish library of which he was the visionary.
Prior to Sefaria, the possibility of finding the Talmud and other central Jewish texts in translation online felt entirely out of reach. Now, we take for granted that any Jew in the world can access the fullness of the tradition.
In this episode we discuss: *
*
* How did Foer come up with the idea for a comprehensive website of Jewish texts?
* What was Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s role in Sefaria putting his translation of the Talmud online?
* How does digitization change our relationship to Jewish books?
* What does having a “gender-sensitive” Tanakh actually mean?Tune in to hear a conversation about how to make the depth and breadth of Torah available to the entire Jewish community.
Interview begins at 30:30.
Joshua Foer is an author and founder. Hi…
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Jun 19, 2023
Dov Singer: Living a Prayerful Life [Prayer & Humanity 5/5]
*This episode is sponsored by our friends Rabbi Sruli and Hindy Motzen.*
**
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dov Singer, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Mekor Chaim and founder of the Beit Midrash L'Hitchadshut, about how prayer can bring clarity to the essentials of our existence.
Rav Singer helps us understand how we can move our concerns from the “X-axis” (the things we want) to the “Y-axis” (our innermost desires that drive us). In this episode we discuss: *
*
* What does it mean to be a “prayer man”?
* How can one effectively set the intention to bring their prayer to a more profound place?
* What does it mean to have a “chavrusa in davening”?Tune in to hear a conversation about the role of deep desire within the routine of daily prayer.
Interview begins at 21:00.
Rabbi Dov Singer is a trailblazing Israeli educator, spiritual thinker, and thinker. Rav Dov is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Mekor Chaim, the founder of the Beit Midrash L'Hitchadshut…
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Jun 12, 2023
Debbie Stone: Can Prayer Be Taught? [Prayer & Humanity 4/5]
*This episode is sponsored by Mosaica Press, whose books—including a range of titles on prayer—can be purchased for 18% off with the coupon code 18FORTY.*
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*In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dr. Debbie Stone, an educator of young people, about how she teaches prayer.
We also speak with David’s dear friend Brad Greenbaum about the experience of prayer in serious times of need—and with Rabbi Yaakov Glasser about how he helps people who are struggling in their spiritual lives.
In this episode we discuss: *
*
* What did Debbie learn about our relationship with prayer in the process of creating a siddur for teenagers?
* How can educators better accommodate for the discomfort with tefillah often felt by newcomers?
* What is the role of “real estate” in prayer?Tune in to hear a conversation about all that goes into cultivating a practice of thankfulness within our communities.
Brad Greenbaum interview begins at 14:55.
Debbie Stone interview begins at 33…
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Jun 5, 2023
Moshe Koppel: Artificial Intelligence and Torah [Prayer & Humanity 3/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to returning guest Moshe Koppel—a computer scientist and Talmud scholar—about Torah and its intersection with artificial intelligence.
In a world in which technology puts vast libraries of Torah at our fingertips, we are tasked with thinking more deeply about what essentially human abilities we bring to the enterprise of Torah and tefillah. In this episode we discuss:
* What computer-based innovations are on the horizon in the realm of Torah study?
* Will AI ever be able to reliably answer our halachic questions?
* Will advances in technology drastically change the experience of Shabbos observance?Tune in to hear a conversation about how AI has the potential to make our Jewish lives richer—if we use it wisely.
Interview begins at 18:21.
Dr. Moshe Koppel is a computer scientist, Talmud scholar, and political activist. Moshe is a professor of computer science at Bar-Ilan University, and a prolific author of academic articles…
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May 29, 2023
Dovid'l Weinberg: The Song of Prayer [Prayer & Humanity 2/5]
*This episode is sponsored in memory of Rabbi Eliezer Skaist, HaRav Eliezer Daniel ben HaRav Eliyahu Dovid A"H, by his family.*
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*In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dovid'l Weinberg—a rabbi, educator, musician, poet, and author—about the wide range of modes and levels of prayer.
Rav Dovid’l speaks with us about how prayer can be our bridge between our lonely place in the world and God’s omnipresence. In this episode we discuss:*
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* What is the relationship between Creation and prayer?
* How does communication between people relate to our communication with the Divine?
* If it often doesn’t seem to affect very much, why does prayer matter?Tune in to hear a conversation about how finite humans seek to speak with an infinite God.
Interview begins at 10:24.
Rav Dovid'l Weinberg is an educator, musician, poet, and author. Rav Dovid’l teaches as a Ra’am in Yeshivat Orayta; is the Rosh Kollel of Camp HASC's Kollel Toras Chesed; is a co-founder of The…
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May 22, 2023
Samuel Lebens: The Hard Problem of Prayer [Prayer & Humanity 1/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Samuel Lebens—a philosophy professor, rabbi, and Jewish educator—about the nature of consciousness.
At a time when artificial intelligence can make us question what it even is that makes humans unique, we look deeply into our ability to have personal experiences and turn them into new ideas. In this episode, we discuss with Sam: *
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* Why do we each have a subjective consciousness?
* What is the relationship between prayer and our lives?
* What is the “Turing test,” and how does it relate to prayer?Tune in to hear a conversation about how consciousness gives us the ability to transform words into prayer, to “sing a new song.”
Interview begins at 31:28.
Rabbi Dr. Samuel Lebens is an associate professor in the philosophy department at the University of Haifa, as well as a rabbi and Jewish educator. Samuel holds a PhD in philosophy from Birkbeck College (University of London), and his academic interests cover the phi…
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May 15, 2023
The How and Why of Moving to Israel [Zionism 4/4]
*This series is sponsored by Unpacking Israeli History.*
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*This episode is sponsored by Daf Yomi with Shaul C. Greenwald, a fast-moving energetic daf shiur, delivered with clarity and intensity.
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**In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to a series of guests who have made aliyah about the practical factors involved with building a life in Israel.
Serena Benovitz, Chana Berkowitz, Yehoshua Fass, Edo Lavi, and Ahron Levi shed light on the nuances and complexities involved in moving to Israel, though for many of us, the mere thought of uprooting our lives and going to an unfamiliar place is intimidating enough. In this episode we discuss:
* What inspires people to leave their homes and begin anew in Israel?
* What are the difficulties that come with making aliyah?
* What does the process of moving to Israel generally involve?Tune in to hear a conversation about what is unique about deciding to lead a Jewish life in the Jewish state.
Serena Benovitz Interview: 11:58
Ch…
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May 8, 2023
Elli Fischer: Can Israel Follow Jewish Law? [Zionism 3/4]
*This series is sponsored by Unpacking Israeli History.*
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Elli Fischer— a writer, translator, and editor—about the relationship between Jewish law and the Jewish state.
For almost 2,000 years, we were able to maintain a system of Jewish law without the convenience of a homeland. Yet now, when we have our own state, Jewish law seems more difficult and complicated to implement than ever.
In this episode we discuss: *
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* What is the effect of halacha on the Jewish state and the effect of the Jewish state on halacha?
* How can halacha and society be integrated in Israel?
* What is it about the nature of halacha that puts it outside the domain of the current systems of government?Tune in to hear a conversation about the role of Jewish religion in the Israeli government.
Interview begins at 19:27.
R. Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi. Previously, he was the OU-JLIC rabbi and campus educator at…
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May 1, 2023
Bezalel Naor: Rav Kook's Mystical Vision of Zionism [Zionism: Bonus Episode!]
*This series is sponsored by Unpacking Israeli History.*
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*This week, we are sponsored by the Inaugural Global Jewish Fertility Support Summit, organized by the nonprofit I Was Supposed To Have A Baby. Taking place on Sunday, May 7th, via Zoom, this summit will include some of the most prominent voices from 15 major fertility organizations worldwide. Whether you're on a fertility journey, a professional, clergy, or lay leader in the space, or if you want to know how to be more sensitive to your friends and family, this summit is for you! Learn more and register for FREE at iwassupposedtohaveababy.org.*
**
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Bezalel Naor—author, translator, and expert on Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook—about Rav Kook’s relationship to the Land of Israel.
Rabbi Naor helps us see the bigger picture of the Zionist project by exploring the spiritual dimensions of Zionism as demonstrated in Rav Kook’s thought. In this episode we discuss:
* How did Rav K…
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Apr 24, 2023
Lahav Harkov: How to Read Media About Israel [Zionism 2/4]
*This series is sponsored by Unpacking Israeli History.*
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Lahav Harkov, senior contributing editor and diplomatic correspondent of The Jerusalem Post, about the media we consume regarding Israel.
Living in the diaspora and caring deeply about Israel can be challenging when one does not have first-hand knowledge of current affairs in the land. Lahav Harkov helps us learn how to gain a deeper understanding. In this episode we discuss:
* How can diaspora Jews be best informed about what is happening in Israel?
* What do people feel is at stake in the debate over Israeli judicial reform?
* What are the key differences between American and Israeli politics?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we can experience Israeli issues in a way that doesn’t feel like a “translation.”
Interview begins at 20:07.
Lahav Harkov is the Senior Contributing Editor of The Jerusalem Post and the Post’s Diplomatic Correspondent, analyzing an…
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Apr 18, 2023
Noam Weissman: How to Unpack Israel's Story [Zionism 1/4]
This series is sponsored by Unpacking Israeli History.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Noam Weissman, executive vice president of OpenDor Media, about Israel education.
In a world in which Israel is a key component of Jewish identity, young people often are given a sanitized, doctrinaire understanding of the Jewish state, rather than getting to build on an authentic experience of connection. Dr. Weissman helps us try to correct this by unpacking some recent Jewish history.
In this episode we discuss:
* How should we provide Israel education in the contemporary world?
* How can we further uplift and inspire our enduring connection with the Land of Israel?
* What is the difference between education and indoctrination?Tune in to hear a conversation about the Jewish people, the Jewish land, and the Jewish state.
Interview begins at 18:03.
Dr. Noam Weissman is the Senior Vice President of OpenDor Media. Noam is also the Founder and Director of LaHaV. Noam previ…
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Mar 28, 2023
When A Child Intermarries
*This series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.*
**
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to a son who almost intermarried, the mother of a daughter who married a non-Jew, and Huvi and Brian, a couple whose intermarriage turned into a Jewish marriage—about intergenerational divergence in the context of intermarriage.
This Pesach, we have the opportunity to reflect on our childhoods and how, through our families, all of our “beginnings” stretch back far beyond our own lifetimes. *
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* How can a Jewish family navigate the prospect of intermarriage?
* How can we maintain familial bonds with members of interfaith families?
* What ruptures can happen within families and communities when a Jew dates, or marries, a non-Jew, and how can those ruptures be repaired?Tune in to hear a conversation about how an apparent disaster doesn’t need to be the end of the story.
First interview: 16:16
Second interview: 50:23
Third Interview: 1:17:23
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References:…
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Mar 21, 2023
Liel Leibovitz and Lisa Ann Sandell: When A Spouse Finds Faith
*This series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.*
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*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.
Liel grew up a secular Israeli, while Lisa was raised in a traditional home of loosening observance. When, eight years ago, Liel brought up the idea of keeping kosher, they realized they were moving in different directions. *
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* What first drew Liel toward growing religiosity?
* How did Lisa react to the changes in Liel’s worldview and lifestyle?
* How are they able to run a home, marriage, and family together despite being on separate and dynamic paths? Tune in to hear a conversation about being a “helpmate,” someone who both challenges and uplifts their spouse.
Interview begins at 11:21.
Lisa Ann Sandell is the author of the young-adult books _The Weight of the Sky_, _Song of the Sparrow_, and A_ Map of the Known World_.
Liel Leibovi…
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Mar 14, 2023
Aliza and Ephraim Bulow: When A Spouse Loses Faith
*This series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.*
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.
With the loss of a son, granddaughter, and grandson, Ephraim lost his faith in Judaism while Aliza remained an observant believer. As they describe it, now, when making kiddush, Ephraim provides the words and Aliza brings the kavanah. In this episode we discuss: *
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* What is it like to stay committed to a marriage when one partner loses their religious faith?
* Is there any public embarrassment in having a spouse who is less observant than oneself?
* What might make it worthwhile to keep a religiously divergent marriage intact?
* Which Jewish experiences do Aliza and Ephraim still share?Tune in to hear a conversation about the love and trust needed to hold a marriage with religious differences together.
Interview begins at 12:02.
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References:*
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*…
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Mar 4, 2023
Modi Rosenfeld: A Serious Conversation About Comedy
In this special Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we bring you a recording from our live event with the comedian Modi, for our annual discussion on humor.
As a preeminent Jewish comedian of only growing popularity, Modi finds himself needing to navigate the nuances of public and private life while he brings “Moshiach energy” to audiences all over the world. In this episode we discuss:
* What makes laughter have ”Moshiach energy”?
* What guidance would Modi have for a parent of a gay child?
* What is Modi’s favorite prayer to lead as a chazan?Tune in to hear a conversation about the element of redemption we find in humor amid a broken world.
Interview begins at 5:08.
Voted one of the top 10 comedians in New York City by The Hollywood Reporter, Modi is one of the comedy circuit’s most sought-after performers. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Modi emigrated with his family to the United States at the age of seven and was raised on Long Island. After graduating from Bost…
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Feb 28, 2023
The Cost of Jewish Education [Jewish Education 4/4]
*This series is sponsored by Ari and Danielle Schwartz in memory of Danielle’s grandfather, Mr. Baruch Mappa, Baruch Ben Asher Zelig HaLevi.*
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*In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to three different advocates for affordable Jewish education about the state of the tuition crisis.
While it is a sensitive subject to discuss, the cost of Jewish education remains one of the most vital issues at play in Jewish life today, as passing on a Torah education to the next generation is of the utmost importance.
* Why is Jewish education so expensive?
* How exactly does the process of providing financial aid work?
* What large-scale measures can be taken to attack the tuition crisis?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we can be more effective in our effort to provide a Torah education for all Jewish children.
Interview with Richard Hagler begins at 7:20
Interview with Chavie Kahn begins at 59:30
Interview with Maury Litwack begins at 1:11:42
Richard Hagler has been a lo…
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Feb 21, 2023
Leslie Ginsparg Klein: The Culture of Jewish Education [Jewish Education 3/4]
*This series is sponsored by Ari and Danielle Schwartz in memory of Danielle’s grandfather, Mr. Baruch Mappa, Baruch Ben Asher Zelig HaLevi.*
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*In this edition of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein—an expert on the history of Orthodox girls’ education—about the value of education for all people.
With the founding of the Bais Yaakov movement, Sarah Schenirer sought to create a culture of education that was inclusive to the marginalized. Over a century later, we encounter a related but simultaneously new set of challenges. In this episode we discuss:*
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* What made the early Bais Yaakov movement both controversial and revolutionary?
* What would Sarah Schenirer think of the state of Jewish education in the 21st century?
* Are graduating adults still in need of education and youth programming?*
*Tune in to hear a conversation about the indispensability of Jewish education from the early 20th century to today.
Interview begins at 29:30.
Dr. Leslie G…
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Feb 14, 2023
Michael A. Helfand: Church, State, and Jewish Education [Jewish Education 2/4]
*This series is sponsored by Ari and Danielle Schwartz in memory of Danielle’s grandfather, Mr. Baruch Mappa, Baruch Ben Asher Zelig HaLevi.*
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*In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak to Michael A. Helfand, a Pepperdine Law professor specializing in religious liberty, about the meaning of the First Amendment as it relates to the funding of religious schools.
With education so deeply essential to the modern Jewish community, we are confronted with the high cost of private schooling. In America, is the government able to step in and help? Should it?
* Why doesn’t the government fully fund religious schools?
* What is the “Lemon test”?
* Does “separation of the church and state” mean the government cannot support any religious institution, or only that it must support all religious institutions equally?*
*Tune in to hear a conversation about the history and status of religious schools in American law.
Interview begins at 9:58.
Professor Michael Helfand is an…
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Feb 7, 2023
Yisroel Kaminetsky: The Goal of Jewish Education [Jewish Education 1/4]
In this edition of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to David’s rebbe, Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, longtime principal of DRS Yeshiva High School, about the state of Jewish education in America.
We find ourselves in a transformative time in the realm of Jewish education. Jewish literacy is at an all-time high, and yet we are still faced with existential angst. In this episode, Yisroel Kaminetsky tells us what goes into creating a yeshiva experience that delivers the most benefit to the most students — and how we can avoid instances of people falling through the cracks.
* How can we build a Jewish-education system that provides a “path home” for every Jew?
* How can parents supplement the education their children get at school?
* How should we define success, and in what ways can a yeshiva, God forbid, fail a student?Tune in to hear a conversation about laying the groundwork for a strong Jewish future.
Interview begins at 25:58.
*References:*
_A Tale of Two Cities _ by Charle…
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Jan 24, 2023
Listener Questions
In this episode of the _18Forty Podcast_, you, our listeners, feature as our guests as we listen to your responses to our series on Romance & Commitment and the Origins of Judaism.
It is our double-absolute privilege to hear how 18Forty’s explorations of the big, juicy Jewish ideas have interacted with your own lives. In this episode we discuss:
* What are the audience’s reflections on dating, loneliness, and belonging?
* What are some potential future 18Forty topics?
* How does David remember all the things he reads?
* And of course, what pronunciation corrections do listeners have for David?Tune in as we check in on the 18Forty audience and hear the thoughts that have been most pressing on your minds. Please do leave us your own voicemail with feedback or questions that we may plan on a future episode, at 917-720-5629.
Voicemails begin at 4:40.
*References:*
_18Forty Podcast: _“How Different Jewish Communities Date”
_18Forty Podcast:_ “Channah Cohen: The Crisi…
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Jan 17, 2023
Malka Simkovich: The Secrets of Second Temple Judaism
In this edition of the 18Forty Podcast, we are privileged with the return of Dr. Malka Simkovich—Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago—who helps us explore Second Temple Judaism and how it relates to Jewish life today.
By diving deep into the Jewish past, Malka enables us to understand the narratives and commitments that have allowed the Jewish people to persist through the most existential challenges. In this episode we discuss:
* What was the relationship between the ancient Jews and the surrounding dominant cultures?
* How did the Jewish world respond to the destruction of the Second Temple?
* What are the differences between Jewish and Christian notions of truth?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the central practices and distinctions that have marked and preserved the Jewish people across the millenia.
Interview begins at 25:53.
Dr. Malka Simkovich is the Crown-Ryan Chair of…
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Jan 10, 2023
Yitzchak Breitowitz: Navigating Controversy
*This episode is sponsored by Daniella and Ari Schwartz in memory of their grandfather Mr. Baruch Mappa a”h - Baruch Ben Asher Zelig HaLevi.*
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**In this edition of the _18Forty Podcast_, we speak with Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz—Rav of Kehillos Ohr Somayach and host of the _Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast_—about the key Jewish issues of our time and how we should handle them. **Rabbi Breitowitz helps us look for the correct framework for discussing intellectual difficulties, family challenges, and the nature of the expanding and diverse Jewish tradition. **
* How should we discuss sensitive topics on public forums?
* What is Rabbi Breitowitz’s advice for 18Forty?
* What sources can people turn to when they’re losing faith in Judaism?Tune in to hear a conversation about what it means to address the big and fraught questions.
**Interview begins at 19:51
Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Ner Israel Rabbinical College, and Harvard Law…
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Jan 3, 2023
Channah Cohen: The Crisis of Experience [Romance & Commitment 5/5]
*This episode is sponsored by Anonymous who is fond of Shalom Task Force & 18Forty. * In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Channah Cohen, a researcher of the OU’s study on the “Shidduch Crisis.” Channah helps us unpack the two sides to this crisis—“Crisis of Process” and “Crisis of Experience”—and considers some potential solutions to the frequent cruelty of the current culture. Also in this edition, we hear the first-hand perspectives of a series of single Orthodox men and women. In this episode we discuss:
* What _really_ is the Shidduch Crisis?
* How can we improve the experience of looking for love in the Orthodox world?
* What do we make of our messy, non-linear life stories while we’re still living them?Tune in to hear a conversation about the highs and lows of being single in Orthodox Judaism today—and what we can do to treat unmarried community members with friendship and humanity.
Interview starts at: 9:49
Channah Cohen has held…
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Dec 27, 2022
How Different Jewish Communities Date [Romance & Commitment 4/5]
*This episode is sponsored by Anonymous who is fond of Shalom Task Force & 18Forty. *
On this episode of 18Forty, we explore the world of Jewish dating. We spoke to insiders and experts from the Chassidic community, “Yeshiva Orthodox” community, and Modern Orthodox community, looking at the commonalities and differences between each community’s approach to finding and building loving relationships. Each community emphasizes different dynamics and difficulties of the process of dating, and by considering them together and independently we can gain a greater understanding of the pressure points around love. How a community approaches dating is a test case for so many of a community’s values and vulnerabilities. In this episode, you’ll hear from representatives of each community that are intimately involved with the project of communal norms around dating, and be asked to think about your own assumptions and hopes for love.
In this interview, we discussed:
* How does each J…
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Dec 26, 2022
2022: A Year Beyond Words (and Numbers)
In this minisode of the 18Forty Podcast, we reflect upon a year beyond words (and numbers).
At every stop of the process in the wild journey that has been 18Forty, we’ve been motivated by our fantastic community members who have pushed us to ask deeper questions, to be more honest with ourselves, and to think more sharply and profoundly about what it means to be a Jew today.
We’ve grown with you and for you, and we’re so thankful to be able to provide everything we can for you all.
More than anything, organic growth inspires us—people finding out about 18Forty from a friend who can’t stop thinking about a recent interview they listened to, articles and podcasts shared in Whatsapp groups and discussed around Shabbos tables across the world, with feedback streaming in from every corner of the Jewish world.
To another year of more growth, curiosity, and asking better questions—for everything, thank you.
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Dec 20, 2022
Zahava Moskowitz: Singled Out [Romance & Commitment 3/5]
*This episode was sponsored by Anonymous who is fond of Shalom Task Force & 18Forty*
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In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Zahava Moskwowitz, host of the Singled Out podcast. Zahava shares insight into the challenges of singlehood, debates the pros and cons of pictures on shidduch resumes, and brings us into the world of singlehood in the Orthodox community.
* What does market information asymmetry relate to dating?
* How do men and women experience the struggles of dating differently?
* What are the biggest controversies behind shidduch resumes?
* Do we have more than one soulmate?Tune in to hear a conversation on the challenges that lie beneath the surface of dating in the Orthodox world.
Interview starts at 20:51
*References:*
Singled Out Podcast by Zahava Moskowitz
“The Market for "Lemons": Quality Uncertainty and the Market Mechanism” by George Akerlof
_The Office_
“Younger Siblings Getting Married First” on the Singled Out Podcast by Zahav…
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Dec 13, 2022
Red Flags: A Conversation with Shalom Task Force Featuring Esther Williams and Shana Frydman [Romance & Commitment 2/5]
This episode is sponsored by Esther & Jerry Williams in honor of all those who support Shalom Task Force.
If you are in crisis please reach out to the Shalom Task Force Hotline at 888-883-2323.
On this episode of 18Forty, we have a deeply moving conversation on the topic of red flags in relationships. We speak with Esther Williams and Dr. Shoshannah Frydman from Shalom Task Force, and one person who extricated herself from an abusive relationship. The dynamics of relationships, whether healthy, unhealthy, or anywhere in between are complex, and we set out to better our understanding of the signs of relational abuse. Whether or not you have personally struggled with the issues we discuss here, we are all better off when we are more informed about the what and why of relational health, so tune in now.
In this interview, we discuss:
- What are the signs of an unhealthy relationship?
- How can we foster understanding and awareness of the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy relationship…
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Dec 8, 2022
Dovid Bashevkin: My Dating Story - On Religious and & Romantic Commitment [Romance & Commitment 1/5]
This episode was sponsored by Jerry and Esther Williams in honor of 18Forty and the Shalom Task Force.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, Dovid Bashevkin dives deeply into the world of dating. As we explore the realm of relationships, Dovid uses his own journey to help us find the proper framework for balancing one’s romantic, religious, and professional identities.
How can one stay connected to their religious self while simultaneously evolving?
What’s Dovid’s best advice for dating and marriage?
Why are we afraid to commit to no?
How can we ensure that the years ahead are the best years yet?
Tune in to hear a conversation on love, commitment, and commitment to commitment.
References:
Shalom Task Force
The Orchard: A Novel by David Hopen
Tehillim 27:10
“Evolving Religiously During Singlehood” on Singled Out Podcast by Zahava Moskowitz
Bambi
Garden State
Dovid Bashevkin on Twitter
“Spending the Seder Alone” by Dovid Bashevkin
Solitude, A Philosophical Enc…
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Nov 29, 2022
Yosef Bronstein: Rav Tzadok & Rav Kook on Jewish History [Origins of Judaism 5/6]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein. A deep thinker with scholarship and experience in many areas of Jewish thought, Yosef has a PhD in Talmud, an upcoming book on the Lubavitcher Rebbe, work editing at the Reshimos Shiurim on Kiddushin of Rabbi Joseph B. Soleveitchik, and countless lectures, classes, and students on Talmud, mysticism, and Jewish philosophy. Yosef joins us to talk about R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, whose thought on the history of halacha, the relationship between human and God, and the ascending evolution of Jewish thought are deeply fascinating. How do we make sense of change in our religious systems and laws, and the development of our traditions? Listen now to find out.
In this interview, we discuss:
- How does Rav Kook think about change in Jewish life and law from the Temple times until today?
- How can we work through dissonance between our individual moral sensitivities and the halacha?
- Can and should our relatio…
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Nov 22, 2022
Yonatan Adler: What Archeologists Find [Origins of Judaism 4/6]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dr. Yonatan Adler about the intersection of halacha and archaeology.
Yonatan Adler is a professor of archaeology at Ariel University in Samaria where he teaches about halacha in early Judaism as we see it through the lens of archeology.
- Why do we view the past in light of the present and not the present in light of the past?
- What does archeology tell us about the origins of the Jewish People?
- Did ancient everyday Jews keep the Torah?
Tune in to hear a conversation on the blueprint of creation, the invention of the term 'Judaism', and more.
Interview begins at 23:15
References:
Rav Ari Waxman on Twitter
Tradition Magazine
“Hazon Ish on Textual Criticism and Halakhah” by Tzvi A. Yehuda
18Forty - “Andrew Solomon: Far From the Tree”
“Hazon Ish on Textual Criticism and Halakhah - A Rejoinder” by Shnayer Leiman
Exodus 23:2
“The Role of Manuscripts in Halakhic Decision-Making: Hazon Ish, his Precursors and Contempora…
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Nov 15, 2022
Tova Ganzel: The Judaism of the Prophets & the People [Origins of Judaism 3/6]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dr. Tova Ganzel about biblical Judaism, and the shift of rabbinic authority over time.
Tova Ganzel is a professor of Judaics at Bar Ilan University. In our discussion with her, we discuss the evolution of mitzvah observance from biblical times and the transmission of authority within Judaism.
- Who gives rabbis their authority?
- How did Jewish law evolve during the Second Temple Period?
- What did the prophets do to popularize Judaism?
Tune in to hear a conversation on authoritative figures, authoritative texts, and accepting authority .
Interview begins at 15:09
Tova Ganzel is a Senior Lecturer at the Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies at the Bar-Ilan University and Head of the Cramim Jewish Studies Honors Program. Tova was the director of the Midrasha – Institute for Advanced Torah Studies at Bar-Ilan University and is a certified women’s halakhic advisor (yo’etzet halakha). She holds a Ph.D. in Bi…
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Nov 8, 2022
Lawrence Schiffman: The World of Early Judaism [Origins of Judaism 2/6]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Professor Lawrence Schiffman about Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism.
Lawrence Schiffman is a professor at New York University, where he lectures on topics such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, Midrashei Halacha, and Second Temple Judasim. He joins us today to discuss the evolution from early Judaism to modern observance, as well as the outcomes of superimposing ancient Judaism onto our present day understandings.
- Who is a “common Jew”?
- Is Jewish disunity as modern as we think it is?
- Why would one cling to modern Judaism despite its evolution over history?
Tune in to hear a conversation on the development of Judaism and how faith must be the answer when history fails us.
Interview begins at 23:48
Lawrence Schiffman is a professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University and Director of the Global Institute for Advanced Research in Jewish Studies. Dr. Schiffman is a specialist in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Judaism in Lat…
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Nov 1, 2022
Anonymous: Searching for the Beginning [Origins of Judaism 1/6]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to an anonymous email sender about life upon the bridge between the truth of fact and the truth of feeling.
Our anonymous guest sent an email in to 18Forty, which we read previously on the Malka Simkovich episode. In his email, he describes struggling with the Oral Torah and clinging to his faith despite the unknown.
- How has practical Jewish religious observance evolved since the canonization of the Oral Torah?
- Are the struggles of modern day Jews the same struggles Jews faced in the Second Temple period ?
- Where does the divinity of the Jewish People lie?
- Is Judaism intended to be a socially arbitrated system?
Tune in to hear a conversation on authenticity within spirituality.
Interview begins at 16:39
References:
Torah Musings Blog by Gil Student
18Forty - “Malka Simkovich: The Mystery Of The Jewish People”
Zakhor: Jewish History And Jewish Memory by Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi
Stories Of Your Life And Others by Ted Chiang…
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Oct 3, 2022
Child & Parental Alienation: Keeping Families Together [Teshuva 6/6]
This series is sponsored by our friends, Daniel and Mira Stokar.
In this episode, we discuss parental alienation. In some way or another, almost all of us struggle with alienation. Who among us doesn’t feel too far from someone that we love? The meeting points of religion and family in religious communities can make navigating change in the family unit difficult, sometimes leading to alienation. As we approach Yom Kippur, we spoke to five people who have lived through the stressors that lead to alienation. These guests are people that might be your neighbors, your rabbis, your siblings, or your parents, talking about the cost and challenge of keeping family close, no matter how hard it might be.
In this interview, we discuss:
— How does parental alienation start, and where might it lead?
— What can someone do to avoid or rectify alienation?
— What can we learn from those who have struggled with familial alienation?
Thank you to each of these guests for sharing their stories…
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Sep 28, 2022
Mark Moskowitz: Within: What Going to Jail Taught Me About Teshuva [Teshuva 5/6]
This series is sponsored by our friends, Daniel and Mira Stokar.
This episode is sponsored by our friends, The Aleph Institute.
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. After being incarcerated for defrauding his investors, Mark found meaning and himself in the least likely of places. This conversation moves from the challenges of living meaningfully amidst pressures to perform your success to the challenging work of teshuva. Our episode with Mark also features Rabbi Sholom Lipskar, founder of Aleph Institute.
In this interview, we discussed:
—How does one find a sense of self when they are expected to be someone for other people?
—How does someone start to veer towards crime, and how do they come back from a mistake of that magnitude?
—What can we learn about teshuva from the experience of prison?
Interview begins at 6:34.
Mark Moskowitz is an…
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Sep 20, 2022
Shais Taub: Teshuva of Innocence and Experience [Teshuva 4/6]
This series is sponsored by our friends, Daniel and Mira Stokar.
On this episode of 18Forty, we have a wide ranging conversation with Shais Taub, a renowned Chabad scholar and author of the book God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction, about the mechanics of teshuva. It's hard to put Rabbi Taub in a box. He is a candid speaker and an eclectic thinker who brings authenticity and honesty to otherwise formulaic topics. During our conversation we discussed:
—What's the difference between teshuva of innocence and teshuva of experience?
—What does Kafka have to do with teshuva?
—Why did the Alter Rebbe, the first Rebbe of Chabad, call his work the Sefer of Beinonim, the book for people in the middle?
Interview begins at 4:35
Rabbi Shais Taub is a rabbi and author. He writes about Jewish spirituality, addiction, and mysticism, and is the author of God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction. Rabbi Taub is a noted speake…
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Sep 13, 2022
Kayla Haber-Goldstein: Questioning the Answers: Rebuilding Your Faith [Teshuva 3/6]
This series is sponsored by our friends, Daniel and Mira Stokar.
On this episode of 18Forty, we have a frank conversation with author Kayla Haber-Goldstein about her personal, painful journey to find God. Kayla proudly describes herself as FFB/BT, a reference to her identifying as a ba’al teshuvah despite growing up in a religious, rabbinic home in Australia and Jerusalem.
—How do you align Judaism to your life so that religious practice doesn’t feel like a burden?
—How can Orthodox education be improved to encourage spiritual-seeking?
—How can you make changes to your life while under intense social scrutiny?
Kayla Haber-Goldstein is an interior designer living in New York. Born to a rabbinic family, Kayla set out to explore her own relationship with Judaism, resulting in her book, Questioning The Answers. Kayla is passionate about questioning the answers—and questions—of Judaism, in order to be consciously religious.
Interview begins at 15:30.
References:
Questionin…
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Sep 6, 2022
Antonio García Martínez: Optionality and Choosing Judaism [Teshuva 2/6]
This series is sponsored by our friends, Daniel and Mira Stokar.
In this episode of 18Forty, tech entrepreneur Antonio Garcia Martinez discusses his powerful “Why Judaism?” essay series, chronicling his conversion to Judaism and his views on the deficiencies of secular liberalism. A formerly Orthodox man who was moved to change his life after reading Martinez’s essays chimes in.
—What is the toll of a culture of optionality?
—What is the value of unchosen commitments?
—How does Martinez reconcile his deeply scientific worldview with Judaism?
Interview begins at 10:21.
Antonio García Martínez is a New York Times best-selling author and tech entrepreneur. He is a former product manager for Facebook, the CEO-founder of AdGrok, and a former quantitative analyst for Goldman Sachs. His book Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley, an insider look into Silicon Valley, was a New York Times bestseller. Antonio reflected on his choice to engage with…
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Aug 30, 2022
Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld: What We Can Learn About Teshuva From Jewish Outreach [Teshuva 1/6]
In the first episode of our Teshuva series, R. Beryl Gershenfeld, one of the leaders of the Jewish outreach movement, joins us in talking about what we can learn about the process of transformation that occurs in Jewish outreach.
- What can the Jewish world learn from Jewish outreach?
- How do we engage in meaningful growth?
This series has been generously sponsored by our friends Daniel and Mira Stokar.
Interview begins at 15:25
References:
Sin•a•gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought by David Bashevkin
The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck
Sefiras Haomer: The Link Between Tushuva And Torah by Yaakov Elman
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing by Pete Davis
Mesilas Yesharim
Chovot HaLevavot
Or HaTzafun
Aspiration by Agnes Callard
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Aug 23, 2022
Listener Questions
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we listen to voicemails sent in by you, our listeners, and reflect on the community we have built beyond our conversations.
- Which episode is the favorite, or least favorite, of 18Forty listeners?
- Why did David Bashevkin get outraged about pagination?
- Is “undoubtably” a word in the English language?
Tune in to hear a conversation between Batman and the Joker, and other fun feedback.
Voicemails begin at 7:24.
References:
“Portlandia”
IFC YouTube channel
Malka Simkovich: The Mystery Of The Jewish People
Bnei Yissaschar by Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Dinov
Tzidkas HaTzaddik by Rav Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin
Oz VeHadar Mesivta Talmud
“Show and Tale”
“I Read This Over Shabbos”
Jewish Mediation: A Practical Guide by Aryeh Kaplan
The Birth of the Spoken Word by Dovid’l Weinberg
If You Were God by Aryeh Kaplan
Tefillin by Aryeh Kaplan
Waters of Eden by Aryeh Kaplan
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Aug 16, 2022
Ari Koretzky: In Conversation with Dovid Bashevkin
Among the many questions we receive at 18Forty, there are some we find recurring: Who does 18Forty serve? What is its purpose? In this episode, 18Forty Founder Rabbi David Bashevkin reflects upon those questions—except he isn’t the one interviewing. Instead, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, host of the Jews You Should Know Podcast, interviews him.
—What is the story of David’s personal religious development?
—What were 18Forty’s greatest challenges and successes?
—Where is it heading?
Interview begins at 5:44.
References:
Jews You Should Know
Saturday Night Live – "Father-Son Podcasting Microphone"
"Rav Moshe Weinberger: Can Mysticism Become a Community?"
The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman
"Journey to 18Forty: A Conversation with Mitchell D. Eichen"
"Malka Simkovich: The Mystery of the Jewish People"
"Dr. Ora Wiskind: How do you Read a Mystical Text?"
Introduction to Love's Executioner by Irvin D. Yalom
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Aug 2, 2022
On Loss: A Child
This episode is sponsored by our friends Victor and Jessica Kagan in honor of Rochel Mindel bas Noson Nuteh and Naftali ben Chaim Shraga Feivel.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Mirlana Morris about the loss of her son, Donny, and perpetuating the memory of a loved one.
Mirlana lost her son, Donny, in last year’s Meron tragedy when he was 19 years old. Mirlana speaks about choosing to live a life of emunah instead of being angry with God, and shares how she perpetuates the legacy of her beloved son.
- Where does a mother find the strength to move forward after confronting a loss of such large magnitude?
- How can one comfort the bereaved with sensitivity?
- What does mourning have in common with Chol HaMoed and what does it teach us?
Tune in to hear a conversation on love, loss, and moving forward.
Interview begins at 12:21
Musical Credit: Im Eshkachech by Itzhak Azulai
References:
Kedusha, Shabbos Davening
“Mimkomcha” as sung at the funeral of Donny Mor…
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Jul 26, 2022
Emanuel Feldman: On Being a Jewish Writer [Books 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Emanuel Feldman about writing styles.
Rabbi Feldman has the unique gift to write in multiple voices for multiple audiences. He mixes his pitches so his readers never quite know what to expect. Rabbi Feldman joins us today to talk about the unique styles of Jewish writing.
- What motivates a rabbi to begin a parallel career as a writer?
- Why is criticism something to love?
- Has Jewish writing gotten better over time?
Tune in to hear a conversation about Yinglish, thumb-driven computers, and Mrs. Cooperman.
Interview begins at 22:49
Rabbi Emanuel Feldman is the rabbi emeritus of Beth Jacob synagogue in Atlanta, Georgia. He previously served as editor-in-chief of Tradition Magazine and has authored 11 books. Additionally, he was editor of the Ariel Rashi Translation Project for 17 years.
References:
Tractate Sukkah
Mishpacha Magazine
Top Five List of Jewish Character and Characters by Dovid Bashevkin
David the Divided Heart…
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Jul 19, 2022
Michelle Margolis: What Do Librarians Do? [Books 2/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to our favorite librarian, Michelle Margolis.
Michelle is no stranger to the 18Forty Podcast — she was one of our first guests, and today, she returns to debut our new Show & Tale series, and talk with us about the role of a librarian and the hidden world of Judaica and rare books.
Show & Tale is a new 18Forty video series that will take you inside some of the great libraries—both public and private—to explore books and treasures from Jewish history.
Michelle Margolis is the Norman E. Alexander Librarian for Jewish Studies at Columbia University. We spoke with her at Columbia University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library, located in Butler Library.
- Where’s the best place to buy rare Jewish books?
- Why would a siddur need to be politically correct?
- Where should rare Judaica live?
Tune in to hear a conversation about edible glue, fake ivory, and death masks.
Interview begins at 15:04
Michelle Margolis is the Norman E. Ale…
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Jul 12, 2022
Three Editors: A Conversation with Heads of the Major Jewish Publishers [Books 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to the heads of the three major Jewish publishing houses, Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz of ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, Matthew Miller of Koren Publishers, and Altie Karper of Schocken Books.
Aside from all rejecting David Bashevkin’s work, these three pillars of Jewish publishing all share a common goal of contributing to Jewish scholarship in order to help better cultivate the Jewish People.
- How can we use storytelling to bring out the best in others?
- How was Koren revitalized?
- How did some department stores in Germany turn into one of the most successful publishing houses?
Tune in to hear a conversation about books, books, books.
Interview begins at 13:59
Gedaliah Zlotowitz
Rabbi Gedalia Zlotowitz is the president of ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, as well as the president of Mesorah Heritage Foundation.
Matthew Miller
Matthew Miller is the owner and publisher of Koren Press. Miller founded Toby Press, which published Yehud…
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Jul 5, 2022
Rabbi Shalom Carmy: How I Ground My Faith [Rationality 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Shalom Carmy—philosophy and Jewish-studies professor at Yeshiva University and Editor Emeritus of Tradition—about how he grounds his faith.
Rabbi Carmy joins us to discuss the anthropological, covenantal, and experiential bases for religious belief.
•What should be the foundation of a person’s faith?
•What is the role of personal experience in relation to rational inquiry?
•How can we reinvigorate our religious outlook for the modern world?
Tune in to hear a conversation about how we handle questions that don’t come with definitive answers.
Interview begins at 14:04
Rabbi Shalom Carmy is a rabbi and professor, teaching philosophy and Jewish studies at Yeshiva University, where he is Chair of Bible and Jewish philosophy at Yeshiva College and an affiliated scholar at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Shalom is Editor Emeritus of Tradition, Contributing Editor of First Things, and has published hundreds of artic…
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Jun 28, 2022
Malka Simkovich: The Mystery of the Jewish People [Rationality 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dr. Malka Simkovich—Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago—about Second Temple Judaism and how it can help us understand what it means to be a Jew in our own time.
Malka explores the significance of belief and observance over the history of the Jewish people.
•What is the role of mystery in how we understand covenant and chosenness?
•What is the relationship between religious life in the ancient world and the Jewish practice we know today?
•How does belief facilitate the continuity of the Jewish tradition throughout time?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the history and mystery of the Jewish nation.
Interview begins at 27:40
Dr. Malka Simkovich is the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She earned a doctoral degree in Second Temple and Ra…
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Jun 21, 2022
Steven Gotlib: Some Rabbi Grapples With His Faith [Rationality 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Steven Gotlib, a fellow at Beit Midrash Zichron Dov and Rabbinic Educator at the Village Shul, about the relationship between first principles and how we are to live.
Rabbi Gotlib is some rabbi who is a lot more than just some rabbi. Steven has thought long and hard about the truth claims of Judaism and the claim Judaism makes on individuals’ lives.
•How does a Conservative Jewish teenager turn into an Orthodox rabbi and outreach professional?
•Should the pursuit of truth override pragmatism?
•What factors should go into someone’s decision to be Orthodox?
•Should experiential knowledge take precedence over rational arguments?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the path and process of a rabbi’s struggle with faith and philosophy.
Interview begins at 15:37.
Rabbi Steven Gotlib received rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, certificates in Mental Health Counseling and Spiritual…
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Jun 14, 2022
Jeff Bloom: Some Guy Wrote a Book about Jewish Theology [Rationality 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jeff Bloom about the assumptions that Orthodox Judaism makes about ideology, and how we ground our faith even if we don’t have irrefutable evidence.
Jeff is some guy who is a lot more than just some guy. Jeff unpacks Leo Strauss’s defense of Orthodoxy and explains how our personal life stories dictate how we see the world.
- Why have we designed a system in which we don’t rummage around assumptions?
- How do we read the Bible in an Orthodox lens?
- Is Orthodoxy merely a warm infrastructure or is it a rationally grounded approach to life?
Tune in to hear a conversation about intellectual authenticity and the axioms of belief.
Interview begins at 14:25
Jeffrey Bloom is a graduate of the University of Chicago. After college, he studied in a number of Orthodox yeshivot in Israel and now lives with his wife and family in New Jersey. He works as an analyst at a hedge fund and is the co-editor of Strauss, Spinoza & Sinai: Orthodox…
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Jun 7, 2022
Listener Questions
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we listen to voicemails sent in by you, our listeners, and reflect on the community we have built beyond our conversations.
- What do Pick-Up Sticks have in common with the sorites paradox?
- How has wealth seeped into our subconscious Jewish intergenerational trauma?
- Does an accusation of abuse have the potential to ruin someone’s life even if they’re not convicted?
Tune in to hear a conversation about leaky roofs, trench coats, and bobbing boats.
Voicemails begin at 11:42.
References:
Saturday Night Live - Father-Son Podcasting Microphone
BoJack Horseman
The Little Rascals
Introduction to Love's Executioner : & Other Tales of Psychotherapy by Irvin D. Yalom
18Forty - Alex Edelman: Taking Comedy Seriously: Purim
Megillat Esther
Megillat Eicha
Tinyana, Likutei Moharan by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
Pachad Yitzchak by Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner
Pirkei Avot 2:1
Frum/OTD Dialogue
Respectfully Debating Judaism
18Forty - Listener Question…
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May 24, 2022
Shira Berkovits: Creating Safe Spaces [Abuse 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Shira Berkovits, president and CEO of Sacred Spaces, about institutional abuse awareness and prevention.
Shira is an attorney and psychologist, as well as the founder of Sacred Spaces, which partners with Jewish institutions to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and other abuses of power. Shira explains how Jewish institutions can better respond to and prevent abuse.
- What preventative measures can a Jewish institution take against abuse?
- Does religious affiliation make responding to incidents of abuse easier or harder?
- How do we begin to heal following incidents of abuse?
Tune in to hear a conversation about protecting our safe spaces.
Interview begins at 20:17.
Shira Berkovits is President and CEO of Sacred Spaces. A behavioral psychologist with a research background in creating large-scale organizational change, and an attorney specialized in criminal law, Shira has spent years studying the intersection of psychology and…
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May 17, 2022
Rahel Bayar: Developing Healthy Boundaries [Abuse 2/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rahel Bayar, founder of The Bayar Group, about abuse awareness and education in faith-based communities.
Due to the sensitive nature of this conversation, at times, this episode does contain mature language and listener discretion is advised.
Rahel is a former assistant district attorney and now runs The Bayar Group, which provides abuse training and serves as a consultant to organizations and institutions. Rahel helps us understand some of the difficult definitions we hear and discusses the importance of establishing boundaries in order to identify red flags.
- Why don't we see abuse before it happens?
- What can we do to establish healthy boundaries and prevent abuse?
- What conversations should we be having with our children to prevent and identify abuse?
Tune in to hear a conversation about education, boundaries, and abuse prevention.
Interview begins at 5:01.
Rahel Bayar is the CEO of the Bayar Group, a group that provides s…
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May 10, 2022
Aharon Schrieber: What Happens When You Call the Police? [Abuse 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to ADA Aharon Schrieber about what actually happens when you call the police to report a domestic violence or abuse crime.
Due to the sensitive nature of this conversation, at times, this episode does contain mature language and listener discretion is advised.
Aharon is an assistant district attorney in the Bronx County Domestic Violence Bureau where he prosecutes domestic violence cases. Aharon shares the ins and outs of what actually happens once a crime is reported and how the case gets handled from a law enforcement perspective.
- How does one practically go about reporting a crime to the police?
- What can we do to understand and prevent abuse better in our communities?
- What messages does Aharon hope to hear more from our community when abuse occurs?
Tune in to hear a conversation about abuse, safety, and how we can do better as a community.
Interview begins at 17:12.
Aharon Schrieber is an Assistant District Attorney (ADA)…
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Apr 19, 2022
Adina and Eric Yoffie: A Different Path, Still Family [Divergence 5/5]
This series is sponsored by our friend, Danny Turkel.
This episode is sponsored by Ari Bergmann in appreciation of Adina's work and scholarship.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Eric and Dr. Adina Yoffie about their journey as a family through ideological differences.
Rabbi Yoffie is the President Emeritus of the Union for Reform Judaism and his daughter Adina is a Modern Orthodox editor and writer. As Adina journeyed to Modern Orthodoxy, she also had to navigate the implications of her observance to her Reform family, and how she could live by her newfound truth without disrupting her family life.
- How does one best respect religious approaches other than their own?
- How does one take a principled stand without making someone within their own family feel like their own life and their own practice does not have any standing?
- How did Adina’s Orthodoxy affect Rabbi Yoffie’s approach to Reform Judaism?
Tune in to hear a conversation about seeing legiti…
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Apr 12, 2022
Moshe and Asher Weinberger: Heart of the Fire: Together Even With Small Differences [Divergence 4/5]
This series is sponsored by our friend, Danny Turkel.
This episode is sponsored by our friend, Evan Goldenberg.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rav Moshe Weinberger, Rebbe of Kehillas Aish Kodesh and his son Asher, CEO of Swimply.
Rav Moshe Weinberger is a chassidish Rebbe who raised his son Asher in the more modern world of the Five Towns. Join us as they discuss differing trajectories and expectations, and how fathers can learn from their sons despite the small differences between them.
- How does a chassidishe father react to his son cutting off his peyos?
- Does being the son of a Rav play a role in paving one’s own path and journey?
- What does it mean to go back to the year 1840?
Tune in to hear a conversation about chassidus shniya [renewed (or secondary) Hasidic commitment] and the evolution of fatherhood.
Interview begins at 11:25.
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger (father) is the founding rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, New York, and is Mashpia…
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Apr 5, 2022
Larry and Tzipora Rothwachs: Here Without You - A Child's Eating Disorder [Divergence 3/5]
This series is sponsored by our friend, Danny Turkel.
This episode is sponsored by Camp Morasha in appreciation for Rabbi Rothwachs's tireless dedication to his family and ours.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Larry Rothwachs and his daughter Tzipora about the relationship of a father and daughter through distance while battling an eating disorder.
Larry is the rabbi of a congregation in Teaneck, New Jersey, and sees himself as someone who is sort of in the business of helping people. His daughter Tzipora was diagnosed with an eating disorder as a pre-teen. As Tzipora’s disorder got more severe, she was distanced from her family—both physically and emotionally. During this time, she and her parents were forced to redefine and strengthen their relationship in ways they couldn’t have otherwise.
- How can absence become a relationship in and of itself?
- What did this journey teach Tzipora about being a daughter, about family, about her relationship with…
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Mar 29, 2022
Bruce Feiler: The Stories That Bind Us [Divergence 2/5]
This series is sponsored by our friend, Danny Turkel.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Bruce Feiler about family narratives.
Bruce has authored many books and articles, including longtime 18Forty favorite, The Stories that Bind Us, which argues that resilience in families is built by developing a strong family narrative.
- Does The Stories that Bind Us deliberately have a Pesach theme?
- What are the mistakes that people make in family dinner conversation?
- Are there differences in the ways that we cope with different types of life transitions?
Tune in to hear a conversation about Pesach and building family narratives.
Interview begins at 16:27.
Bruce is an American author of 15 books. Bruce’s book The Secrets of Happy Families: Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much More is a moving exploration of the ways different families have built healthy homes. Bruce writes the "This Life" column in the New York Ti…
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Mar 22, 2022
Intergenerational Divergence: Recap, Reflections, and Response [Divergence 1/5]
This series is sponsored by our friend, Danny Turkel.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to the families from our previous series on intergenerational divergence to follow up and see what they’re up to now. As we revisit the previous interviews, we continue the conversations where we left off, drawing from the experiences and wisdom of our guests.
• What advice would our guests give their younger selves during the difficult period that they went through?
• What have our guests been up to and what has the feedback been since sharing their stories on 18Forty?
• What is the role of disappointment and expectations in the idea of identity?
Tune in to hear a conversation about family, about dissonance, and about unconditional love.
References:
The Europeans by Orlando Figes
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
18Forty Interview with Rabbi Daniel and Aliza Grama
18Forty Interview with Rabbi Robyn and Benji Frisch
Reform, Conservative, Haredi — it’s all in the family b…
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Mar 15, 2022
Alex Edelman: Taking Comedy Seriously: Purim
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David is joined by comedian Alex Edelman for a special Purim discussion exploring the place of humor and levity in a world that often demands our solemnity.
A Modern Orthodox Jew from Brookline, Massachusetts, who’s “tried cocaine,” but has “never tried bacon,” Alex stars in the one-man Off Broadway show Just For Us, which has to be one of the only top-tier comedy specials to mention Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik.
In this episode, we discuss:
—How does a Modern Orthodox kid become a mainstream professional comic?
—What makes particularly Jewish stories resonate so much with wider audiences?
—Why hasn’t he left traditional Judaism amid his secular fame?
Tune in to hear how a bona fide star holds onto both his humor and his values to bare to the world his authentic self.
Interview begins at 26:56.
Alex Edelman is a product of Massachusetts’s Maimonides School and has been featured on Conan and The Late Show with Stephen Col…
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Mar 1, 2022
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz: A Healthy Relationship with Halacha [Halacha 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, the director of semicha at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), about the development of halacha.
Rabbi Lebowitz has written numerous articles and several books on the practical applications of Jewish law and is behind the popular “Ten Minute Halacha” lecture series.
•What is the role of rabbinic “intuition” in halachic rulings?
•To what degree does the common practice of the community shape halachic rulings?
•How has the focus of rabbinical studies shifted over time?
•Does the concept of emunas chachamin, faith in the rabbis, mean blind adherence?
•How are the personal circumstances of the individuals seeking a halachic ruling factored into a posek’s decision?
Tune in to hear a conversation about halacha and its practical applications.
Interview begins at 21:32.
Rabbi Lebowitz is the rabbi of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere and the director of semicha at Yeshiva University…
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Feb 22, 2022
Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg: Discovering Your Halachic Story [Halacha 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg - historian and Junior Fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows - about the history of halacha.
While we take the system of halacha as we know it today for granted, many factors contributed to its current state. We discuss some of these factors, as well as some pivotal moments in halacha’s history, like the publication of the Shulchan Aruch.
- Has halacha always been as standardized and abstract a system as it is today?
- What factors have contributed to the state of halacha today?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the history of halacha.
Interview begins at 16:47.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/halacha/.
Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg is a scholar of early modern Jewish intellectual and cultural history. She received her BA from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania’s history department, where she wrote her thesis on the transmission of halakhic kno…
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Feb 15, 2022
Dr. Moshe Koppel: Halacha as a Language [Halacha 2/4]
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 what that means for our halachic commitment today.
How should halacha be legislated?
What does it mean that halacha is like language?
What can halacha as language teach us about the development and legislation of halacha?
Tune in to hear this fascinating conversation about halacha's development.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/halacha
Interview begins at 26:58
Dr. Moshe Koppel is a computer scientist, Talmud scholar, and political activist. Moshe is a professor of computer science at Bar-Ilan University, and a prolific author of academic articles and books on Jewish thought, computer science, economics, political science, and other disciplines. He is the foundin…
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Feb 7, 2022
Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik: The Rupture and Reconstruction of Halacha [Halacha 1/4]
In this episode of 18Forty Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Professor Haym Soloveitchik, University Professor of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University.
Professor Soloveitchik is a world-renowned scholar whose research has focused on the development of halacha—including martyrdom, pawn-broking and usery, as well as the laws of gentile wine. Much of his popular renown can be attributed to the publication of his article "Rupture and Reconstruction: The Transformation of Contemporary Orthodoxy" in Tradition (Summer 1994 28:4). The essay explores how halacha developed following the rupture of the Holocaust and moved from a mimetic tradition into a text based tradition. Following the article's publication, there have been several critical exchanges, collections of reflections, and conversations—a testimony to its enduring impact. The article and many of the critical exchanges have been collected into a new volume that has recently been published by the Littman…
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Feb 1, 2022
Listener Questions and Behind the Scenes with the 18Forty Team
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we listen to voicemails sent in by listeners and talk to two of our editors, Denah Emerson and Yehuda Fogel.
18Forty is a media company as well as a podcast. Between editing the podcast audio, writing the written material, and running the social media, there are many invaluable people who help run it behind the scenes.
- What happens behind the scenes of 18Forty?
- How is 18Forty’s media produced?
Tune in to hear a conversation where we answer listener questions and give a behind the scenes look at 18Forty.
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Jan 10, 2022
Marika Feuerstein: The Mentsch of Malden Mills: A Granddaughter Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Aaron Feuerstein [Wealth 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Marika Feuerstein about the life of her grandfather, Aaron Feuerstein.
Aaron Feuerstein was the head of a successful family business that suffered serious setbacks after a fire destroyed its factory. He became famous for his commitment to the wellbeing of his employees, paying them even while they couldn’t work, but rebuilding came with challenges that ultimately cost him the company. Marika Feuerstein tells the lesser known story of his later life, and how the Feuerstein family regrouped in the wake of the fire.
- What happened in the aftermath of the fire?
- What were its effects on the Feuerstein family, who, until that point, had all worked in the business?
- How did Aaron Feuerstein, as well as the rest of his family, recover from the setbacks to lead a healthy life?
Tune in to hear a conversation about wealth as it relates to family identity.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/wealth/.
References:
Hospital by Julie Salamo…
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Jan 4, 2022
Ari Bergmann: Giving Wealth a Rest: The Economics of Shemittah [Wealth 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Ari Bergmann - PhD and financier - about the benefits of shemittah.
The current Hebrew year, 5782, is a shemittah year, a year when the land rests. This has extensive economic effects on Israel’s agricultural community, as farmers are not allowed to work on or profit from their land. Ari, as an expert in both Talmud and finances, weighs in on some important questions.
- What are the laws and logistics of shemittah?
- What is the Torah’s motivation for introducing shemittah?
- How do the laws of shemittah affect power differences created by wealth?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the shemittah year.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/wealth
Ari Bergmann is the founder and managing principal/CIO of Penso Advisors LLC, A New York-based manager and advisory boutique specializing in derivatives structuring/trading and systemic risk management. Ari attended Ner Yisrael, holds an MA and PhD in comparative religion from Columbia…
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Dec 27, 2021
Eli Langer & Zevy Wolman: How We Keep Our Finances Kosher [Wealth 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eli Langer and Zevy Wolman - hosts of the Kosher Money podcast - about financial literacy as it relates to Orthodox Judaism.
The cost of living in Orthodox communities is tremendous, and seems to only grow. Between tuition, simchas, and more, families in America’s top one or two percent by income struggle to get by.
- How severe is the issue of cost of living in the Orthodox community?
- What dynamics factor into this issue?
- How should we aim to solve this issue long term?
- How can financial literacy help?
Tune in to hear a conversation about financial literacy and the cost of living in the Orthodox community.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/wealth/.
References:
Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
https://www.amazon.com/Thou-Shall-Prosper-Commandments-Making/dp/0470485884
You Revealed by Rabbi Naftali Horowitz
https://www.amazon.com/You-Revealed-Torah-Path-Success/dp/1422627462
The Index Card by Helaine Olen
https://…
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Dec 20, 2021
Mark Trencher: Orthonomics: The Cost of Frum Life [Wealth 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Mark Trencher - founder of Nishma Research - about finances in the Orthodox community.
Mark Trencher founded Nishma Research to survey the Jewish community about various important questions relating to Jewish life. His surveys are of wide-ranging subject matter, including reasons that people go off the derech, political orientation, opinions about vaccines, and of course, finances.
- How taxing is Orthodoxy on peoples’ finances?
- What financial areas do Orthodox families struggle with most?
- Are Orthodox people able to save for retirement?
- How does this financial strain affect peoples’ religiosity?
Tune in to hear a conversation about Orthodox Judaism and finances.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/wealth/.
References:
Rupture and Reconstruction by Haym Soloveitchik
https://traditiononline.org/rupture-and-reconstruction-the-transformation-of-contemporary-orthodoxy/
Wanting by Luke Burgis
https://www.amazon.com/Wanting-Po…
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Dec 14, 2021
Zohar Atkins: Between Philosophy and Torah [Rationality 5/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Zohar Atkins, Rabbi and philosopher, about the role that philosophy - particularly rationalist philosophy - plays in Judaism.
Zohar is a profound and poetic thinker who tries to lead an examined Jewish life. Despite being a philosopher, he is an advocate of doing, not just thinking. He takes the idea of there being 70 faces of the Torah to heart, endorsing philosophical pluralism in relation to Judaism.
- How do philosophy and the Torah interact?
- Does the Torah espouse any one true philosophy, or is it open to multiple philosophical interpretations?
- What role in Jewish life can rationalism play, and what role should it play?
Tune in to hear a conversation about philosophy and Judaism.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/rational/.
References:
Dialogues of Plato by Plato
https://www.amazon.com/Dialogues-Plato-Enriched-Classics/dp/1439169489
The Kuzari by Rabbi Yehuda Halevi
https://www.amazon.com/Kuzari-Defense-Despised-Faith/d…
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Dec 7, 2021
Simi Peters: Building New Faith Foundations [Rationality 4/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Simi Peters - author and teacher - about Jewish faith and postmodernism.
Simi is a scholar who is well-versed in both postmodern and Jewish thought. She has attempted to synthesize the two, grounding Jewish faith in postmodernism. While postmodernism calls into question the very ideas of truth and proof, she still believes that Judaism can be given a postmodern, rational grounding.
- What is postmodernism, and what implications does it have for rationality?
- How can one ground their faith in a postmodern world view?
- Where does the education system go right, and where does it go wrong, in attempting to ground its students’ faith?
Tune in to hear a conversation about Judaism and postmodernism.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/rational/.
References:
David Foster Wallace - The Problem with Irony by Will Schoder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2doZROwdte4
The Most Human Human by Brian Christian
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Human…
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Nov 30, 2021
Samuel Lebens: The Line Between Rationality and Mysticism [Rationality 3/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Samuel Lebens - philosophy professor and author - about the interaction of Judaism with analytic philosophy and mysticism.
Samuel is an analytic philosopher, trained to analyze philosophical questions in a precise, almost mathematical framework. In his new book, The Principles of Judaism, he attempts to wed the foundations of Judaism to this framework, discussing the ways that one might formalize their Judaism on rational grounds.
- How can one ground their Judaism in precise, rational terms?
- How certain can one be of their Judaism?
- What is the place of mysticism in a rational framework?
Tune in to hear a conversation about Judaism and analytic philosophy.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/rational/.
References:
The Principles of Judaism by Samuel Lebens https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Judaism-Studies-Analytic-Theology/dp/0198843259
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Ludwig-Wi…
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Nov 22, 2021
Shmuel Phillips: Reclaiming Judaism [Rationality 2/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Shmuel Phillips about the upsides and downsides of approaching Judaism rationally.
Shmuel grew up debating religion, always thinking about why he practiced Judaism as he did. While many people practice Judaism because it’s what they grew up with, Shmuel believes that people could give more grounding to their faith. To that end, he authored a book, Judaism Reclaimed, where he explores the modern issues of Judaism in a traditional Orthodox framework.
- How can one reconcile the Torah with the morality and science of the modern day?
- How much should rationality factor into one’s religious experience?
- How can rationality and an experiential relationship with Hashem complement each other?
Tune in to hear a conversation about Judaism in the modern day.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/rational/.
References:
Forgive Us, Father-in-Law, For We Know Not What To Think by Rabbi Shalom Carmy
https://www.amazon.com/Forgive-Fath…
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Nov 15, 2021
Anxiety and Rationality: A Personal Anonymous Account [Rationality 1/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to an anonymous guest about the anxieties he experienced in a hyper rational approach to Judaism.
Our anonymous identifies as a rationalist, or someone who likes to analyze the decisions in his life through a logical lens. He applied this to his Judaism. But as time went on, he began having doubts and questions and his life started to fall apart. Eventually he found a different approach to his Judaism that allowed him to moderate his rationality and live a more meaningful life.
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of rationality?
- What balance should one attempt to draw?
- How can rationalists with doubts about Judaism moderate their mindset to have a more meaningful life?
Tune in to hear a conversation about rationality and Judaism.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/rational/.
References:
Why Is It so Hard to Be Rational? By Joshua Rothman https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/23/why-is-it-so-hard-to-be-rational
The Secret…
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Nov 1, 2021
The Books of Shabbos [Shabbos 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk about two impactful books about Shabbos and their authors.
Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa was a seminal work about the halachos of Shabbos in the modern day. The Sabbath was an ode to the beauty and spirituality of Shabbos. Together they give two complementary perspectives, the halachic and the spiritual, on our beloved Shabbos.
- Why are Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa and The Sabbath such important works?
- What do they each tell us about Shabbos that the other doesn’t?
- How do the perspectives they bring, that of halacha and that of spirituality, complement each other, and how are they similar?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the books of Shabbos.
References:
Shemiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa by Rabbi Yehoshua Neuwirth
https://www.amazon.com/Shemirath-Shabbath-Set-Yehoshua-Neuwirth/dp/1583304940
The Sabbath by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
https://www.amazon.com/Sabbath-Classics-Abraham-Joshua-Heschel/dp/0374529752
A Passion for Trut…
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Oct 25, 2021
The Legacy of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Professor Jonathan Haidt about the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in honor of his yahrtzeit.
Rabbi Sacks had a profound impact on the Jewish world, with his eloquent words giving a voice to many. He has spoken at length about how to construct a good and meaningful life using Judaism, as well as about morality, consumerism, spiritual truth, politics, and antisemitism.
- What is the value of commitment to Judaism?
- How can Judaism contribute to our morality?
- How can Judaism contribute to our community?
- How can one keep faith in Judaism in the modern world?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the world of Rabbi Sacks.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI
The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0307455777
The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-H…
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Oct 18, 2021
Judith Shulevitz: The World of Shabbos [Shabbos 2/3]
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.
- Does a secular Shabbos of unplugging work?
- What is so radical about observing Shabbos?
- How important is community for one’s Shabbos practice?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the world of Shabbos.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/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…
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Oct 12, 2021
Senator Joe Lieberman: The Gift of Shabbos [Shabbos 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Senator Joe Lieberman - politician, lobbyist, and attorney - about the gift of Shabbos.
Joe Lieberman lives a life in the public eye as an observant Jew. This exemplary dedication to his values is admirable and gives Joe a unique perspective on the benefits of Shabbos.
- What gifts does Shabbos grant us that we take for granted?
- What lessons can the high-powered life of a politician teach us about powering down for Shabbos?
- Is it difficult living as a politician who observes Shabbos?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the gift of Shabbos.
References:
In the Driver’s Seat by Jenna Weissman Joselit https://www.bjpa.org/content/upload/bjpa/jose/Joselit-Jewish%20leadership.pdf
Half Shabbos is No Shabbos by Jonathan Rosenblum https://jewishaction.com/religion/shabbat-holidays/half-shabbos-is-no-shabbos/
Is Half Shabbos Really No Shabbos? By Rabbi Shalom Baum https://jewishaction.com/letters/is-half-shabbos-really-no-shabbos/
Sha…
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Sep 11, 2021
Yabloner Rebbe: The Rebbe of Change [Teshuva 5/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Pini Dunner and Rav Moshe Weinberger about the Yabloner Rebbe and his astounding story of teshuva.
The Yabloner Rebbe was a chassidishe rebbe who helped found Kfar Chassidim. He disappeared and went to Los Angeles, where he went off the derech, but he later returned to Judaism and Kfar Chassidim in a remarkable example of teshuva.
- Who was the Yabloner Rebbe?
- Why did he leave his faith?
- What inspired him to return?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the astounding story of the Yabloner Rebbe.
References:
The God of Loneliness by Philip Schultz https://www.amazon.com/God-Loneliness-Selected-New-Poems/dp/0547249659
The Amazing Return of the Yabloner Rebbe by Rabbi Pini Dunner https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/amazing-yabloner-rebbe
The Astonishing Story of the Yabloner Rebbe by Rabbi Pini Dunner https://rabbidunner.com/the-astonishing-story-of-the-yabloner-rebbe/
Rabbi Pini Dunner Website https://r…
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Sep 3, 2021
Miriam Gisser: Recovery as Change [Teshuva 4/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Miriam Gisser about changing, or even rebuilding, one’s life.
Miriam’s husband passed away from a drug overdose, forcing her to rebuild her life for her and her family. She offers unique insight into how one can change and rebuild their life, whether after a tragedy, to do teshuva, or something else.
- What are the scariest parts of change?
- How can we find the inner courage necessary for change?
- How can we deal with and remember our past while looking to the future?
Tune in to hear a conversation about resilience and change.
References:
Al-Anon’s Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions https://www.amazon.com/Al-Anons-Twelve-Steps-Traditions/dp/0910034435
God of Our Understanding by Rabbi Shais Taub https://www.amazon.com/God-Our-Understanding-Spirituality-Addiction/dp/1602801533
For more, visit https://18forty.org/podcast/teshuva.
Miriam Gisser is a teacher, who currently resides in Ohio. Miriam’s first husband was an addict…
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Aug 31, 2021
Agnes Callard: A Philosophy of Change [Teshuva 3/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Agnes Callard - professor of philosophy and author - about the philosophy of change.
Many decisions in life can be made by weighing our values: if an action accords with our values, then we do it, and if it doesn’t, then we don’t. But when it comes to deciding what our values should be, we may need a different paradigm.
- How do we make decisions in relation to our values?
- What decisions don’t function in this normal paradigm?
- How can we decide to change our values themselves?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the philosophy of change.
References:
Aspiration: The Agency of Becoming by Agnes Callard https://www.amazon.com/Aspiration-Agency-Becoming-Agnes-Callard/dp/0190639482
Transformative Experience by L. A. Paul https://www.amazon.com/Transformative-Experience-L-Paul/dp/0198777310
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce https://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Artist-As-Young-Man/dp/1503221431
The Neapolitan No…
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Aug 23, 2021
Alex Clare: Changing in Public [Teshuva 2/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Alex Clare - singer and baal teshuva - about changing identity and what if questions.
Alex was a rising music star who left the music industry to pursue a religious life - what's known as a baal teshuva - then returned following international commercial success. He has faced many life-changing choices, and so has experience with navigating change in a healthy way.
- How can one ensure that the changes they make are navigated healthily?
- What if one regrets the choices they have made?
- Is it useful to think about what if questions?
Tune in to hear a conversation about healthy change and what if questions.
References:
Love’s Executioner by Irvin Yalom
https://www.amazon.com/Loves-Executioner-Other-Tales-Psychotherapy/dp/0465020119
Grendel by John Gardner https://www.amazon.com/Grendel-John-Gardner/dp/0679723110
What Ifs of Jewish History by Gavriel Rosenfeld https://www.amazon.com/What-Ifs-Jewish-History-Abraham/dp/110703762X
A S…
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Aug 16, 2021
Rav Judah Mischel: A Change in Progress [Teshuva 1/5]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rav Judah Mischel - executive director of Camp HASC and founder of Tzama Nafshi - about change and teshuva.
Change is one of the most difficult things in life. We often wish we could snap our fingers and choose to live differently, but change usually takes time. We can think of change as a journey rather than a destination.
- How can one appreciate the process of change, the ride, as much as we appreciate the destination?
- How can we navigate the waters between hoping for change and embracing ourselves as we are?
Tune in to hear a conversation on change and teshuva, today.
References:
Tzidkas HaTzadik by Rav Tzadok HaKohen MiLublin https://www.sefaria.org/Tzidkat_HaTzadik.4?lang=bi
Baderech: Along The Path of Teshuvah by Rav Judah Mischel https://mosaicapress.com/product/baderech/
Peninei Halakha by Rav Eliezar Melamed https://www.amazon.com/Peninei-Halakha-Laws-Shabbat-Vol/dp/1592644473
For more, visit https://18forty.org/teshuv…
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Aug 9, 2021
Summer Unwind: Documentary Film [Summer Unwind 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rachel Grady - documentary filmmaker of One of Us and Jesus Camp - about the expressive power of documentaries.
While fiction and non-fiction literature are powerful creative tools to explore an issue, documentaries have a unique power to portray communities from the inside. And while these portrayals may be uniquely powerful, they can also be uniquely controversial.
- What can documentaries achieve that other mediums can’t?
- How can documentaries help their audiences explore unfamiliar communities?
- How are documentaries suited to exploring religious communities specifically?
Tune in to hear a conversation on documentary filmmaking, and for Rachel's recommendations for which documentaries you should watch next.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/podcast/rachel-grady-documentary-film/.
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Aug 2, 2021
Summer Unwind: Fiction [Summer Unwind 2/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to David Hopen - law student and author of The Orchard - about finding truth in fiction, and particularly in myths.
Though fiction and myths are by definition not true, they can still have great significance. Religious stories in particular can help guide us regardless of whether or not they’re literally true. In his book The Orchard, David tries to illustrate this, using fiction to tell deep truths about the place myth can have in the modern world.
- How can fiction tell truths despite it not being true by definition?
- How can myths help forge our identities?
- What truths did David try to tell in The Orchard?
Tune in to hear a conversation on fiction and myths.
References:
The Orchard by David Hopen https://www.amazon.com/Orchard-Novel-David-Hopen/dp/0062974742
The Client by John Grisham https://www.amazon.com/Client-Novel-John-Grisham/dp/0345531922
Marvin Redpost: Why Pick on Me? By Louis Sachar https://www.amazon.com/Why-Pick-M…
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Jul 26, 2021
Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt: Non-Fiction [Summer Unwind 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt - journalist - about her relationship with writing.
Having appeared in publications like the New York Times and Haaretz, Avital is an accomplished author. Writing since her childhood, she has found inspiration in a variety of arenas, like reporting, Judaism, and advocacy.
- What inspired Avital to start writing, and how did she turn it into a career?
- What are some of the challenges of publishing in the public eye?
- How does Avital get ideas about what to write about?
- Why does she find it meaningful?
Tune in to hear a conversation on non-fiction writing, and to hear about her favorite non-fiction reads.
References:
Tefillin in a Brown Paper Bag by Rabbi Emanuel Feldman https://traditiononline.org/tefillin-in-a-brown-paper-bag/
For more, visit https://18forty.org/podcast/avital-chizhik-goldschmidt-non-fiction/.
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Jul 16, 2021
On Loss: A Parent
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dani Ritholtz - rabbi and author - about the loss of his father to further explore Tisha B’Av’s relationship to loss.
Dani Ritholtz lost his father to Pancreatic cancer in 2014. As part of his grieving process, he wrote a book exploring the development of his relationship to his loss throughout the ordeal. Here Dani talks about the book and its subject matter: how he dealt with the loss of his father.
- How does it feel for a family member to battle a possibly fatal illness?
- How did Dani and those around him cope with their loss?
- What effects did it have on their mental health?
- Why did Dani write his book?
Tune in to hear a conversation on grief and coping.
Musical Credit:
Eim Eshkachech by Itzhak Azulai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0tldz_-0yU
References:
As a Ram Yearns for the Brook by Dani Ritholtz https://www.amazon.com/As-Ram-Yearns-Brook-Journey-ebook/dp/B08FBCX11Z
Time Travel: A History by James Gleick https:/…
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Jul 12, 2021
On Loss: A Spouse
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Josh Grajower - rabbi and educator - about the loss of his wife, as well as the loss that Tisha B’Av represents for the Jewish People.
The Jewish people mourn every year on Tisha B’Av, but it can still be hard to connect with the feelings of the day. Mourning is felt most strongly with those closest to us, and while the things we mourn on Tisha B’Av are of great religious and historical significance, they can feel foreign. Rabbi Grajower lost his wife, Danielle Grajower, giving him intense insight into the mourning process.
- How does it feel to lose someone close to you?
- How do you deal with the finality?
- How does time affect the emotional wound?
- How can your loss affect your relationship with God?
Tune in to hear a conversation on loss and mourning.
Musical Credit:
Eim Eshkachech by Itzhak Azulai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0tldz_-0yU
References:
Holocaust Commemoration and Tish'a be-Av: The Debate Over "Y…
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Jul 5, 2021
Jewish Peoplehood Roundup
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, our host, David Bashevkin, reflects on 18Forty’s Jewish peoplehood episodes.
David reassesses 18Forty’s Jewish peoplehood topic from September 2020, which featured Rav Aaron Lopiansky, Laura Adkins, Bethany Mandel, and Samuel Freedman. Using highlight clips from those episodes, David explores what brings together a group of people to form a peoplehood, the ways the Jewish community is divided, and the effect these divisions have on the larger people.
- Why did 18Forty choose this topic?
- What constitutes a peoplehood?
- How does a peoplehood remain united in the face of internal conflict?
- Can it overcome division, even when the division stems from conflicting, deep-seated values, to remain united?
- Can someone truly love a whole nation?
Tune in to hear David reflect on 18Forty’s Jewish peoplehood exploration.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/podcast/jewish-peoplehood-roundup/.
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Jun 28, 2021
Comedy Roundup
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with our host, David Bashevkin, to reflect on 18Forty’s comedy episodes.
David revisits 18Forty’s comedy exploration from July of 2020, featuring comedians Gary Gulman and Leah Forster and Rabbi Daniel Feldman. David once again explores the connections between comedy and life, and how comedy can help cope with tragedy. He also explores some of the qualities of Jewish humor.
- Why did 18Forty choose comedy as a topic, and why so early?
- What life lessons can comedy teach?
- What are some of the characteristics of Jewish comedy and Jewish comedians?
Tune in to hear David reflect on 18Forty’s comedy topic.
References:
https://natebargatze.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_Hedberg
http://www.joanrivers.com/
https://18forty.org/articles/gary-gulman-this-impossible-life/
The Most Human Human by Brian Christian https://www.amazon.com/Most-Human-Talking-Computers-Teaches-ebook/dp/B004FEG2S6
Man’s Search for Meaning by Vikt…
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Jun 21, 2021
David Bashevkin: The Anniversary Episode
In this anniversary episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with our host, David Bashevkin, to reflect on the last year of episodes.
18Forty has explored many important and interesting topics and has helped build a community of people interested in exploring these ideas. But it has been a big undertaking involving many unforeseen factors and complications.
- How has 18Forty decided what topics and guests to feature?
- What has David learned about the process of interviewing?
- How has 18Forty been affected by the community growing around it?
- How has 18Forty dealt with controversy?
Tune in to hear David reflect on 18Forty’s beginning and growth over the last year.
References:
Top Five by David Bashevkin https://www.amazon.com/Top-5-Dovid-Bashevkin/dp/1600918174
For more, visit https://18forty.org/
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Jun 14, 2021
Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter: Should We Censor Jewish History? [Censorship 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter - rabbi, professor, and historian - about censorship as it relates to Jewish history.
Though censorship exists in many areas, it is particularly interesting to analyze it from the lens of Jewish history. It can be tempting to idealize the lives of gedolim when writing about them, or to whitewash parts of history that don’t fit with our modern conceptions. It can be tricky to navigate history while preserving a given set of values.
- How should we study Jewish history?
- Is there room for idealization or censorship?
- Or should we always seek the historical truth?
- What should we do when history is problematic in the face of our values?
Tune in to hear a conversation on censorship and Jewish history.
References:
Zakhor by Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi https://www.amazon.com/Zakhor-Jewish-History-Lectures-Studies/dp/0295975199
On the Morality of the Patriarchs: Must Biblical Heroes be Perfect by Rabbi JJ Schacter…
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Jun 7, 2021
Jonathan Rosenblum: Communal Boundaries and Cancel Culture [Censorship 2/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jonathan Rosenblum - journalist and author of multiple ArtScroll biographies - about censorship and specifically how it applies to biographies.
One of the many areas in which censorship can be exercised is biography writing. Certain biographies of gedolim have been criticized for censoring their life stories to mask their imperfections, distorting history in the process. But censorship isn’t always about distorting the facts and may instead be about cultivating a certain look or feel.
- What is the goal of censoring the biographies of gedolim?
- What impact does it have?
- What are the intended effects of the biographies in the first place?
- What effects would the uncensored versions have?
Tune in to hear a conversation on biographical censorship.
References:
The Censor, the Editor, and the Text by Amnon Raz-Krakotzkin
Hidden Diaries and New Discoveries by Avinoʻam Rozenaḳ
Pachad Yitzchak: Igrot U’ketavim by Rav Yitzchok Hu…
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May 31, 2021
Altie Karper: When a Book Is Banned [Censorship 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Altie Karper, editorial director of Schocken Books, about censorship and cancel culture.
Every community has boundaries, and every community needs a way to enforce those boundaries. As Altie’s experience publishing a book that received religious pushback tells us, it can be hard to gauge if something will be deemed appropriate. If a public figure says something that doesn’t fit within the boundaries of a community, there should be criticism, but this criticism can easily become sharp and unjust. We must ultimately remember that there are people behind the mistakes and they deserve to be given some benefit of the doubt.
- What amount of censorship is ok and what amount is too far?
- How should one criticize a public figure for saying something inappropriate?
- What kinds of criticism go too far?
- What is the difference between communal boundaries and cancel culture?
Tune in to hear a conversation on censorship, criticism, and ca…
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May 10, 2021
Protecting us from Ourselves: An Anonymous Perspective on Divorce [Agunah Crisis 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to an anonymous divorced man who gives us his perspective on the divorce process and the need to protect oneself from his own darkest inclinations.
While one would never assume themselves capable of get (divorce document) refusal, the emotions of uncoupling run high and it's possible to find yourself considering using the get as a bargaining chip. We sit down with a man who was in this exact predicament and he explains why the get should never be used in this way and how signing a halakhic prenup protects both people in the dissolving marriage.
-What role do community leaders, rabbeim, and therapists play in a couple's divorce process?
-What should one do post divorce to better themselves?
-What can men do to protect themselves from even the consideration of get refusal?
-How important is the halakhic prenup for all communities?
Tune in to hear a conversation on divorce, granting a get, and what can be done to protect against our baser…
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May 3, 2021
Bari Mitzmann: Social Media & Agunah Advocacy [Agunah Crisis 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Bari Mitzmann - Instagram content creator and host of the Women of Valor podcast - about social media advocacy, particularly in regard to the agunah crisis.
With an Instagram audience of 30,000 followers, Bari is often asked to promote causes. One such cause was the recent #FreeChava campaign where Bari's promotion helped spark recent support for agunot. While posting about advocacy on social media seems like a natural thing to do, it can be hard to verify information about the causes being posted. Bari therefore likes to be careful about what she posts, posting sparingly to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Does Bari use her account for advocacy? What kind of advocacy works best on social media? Why did she choose to advocate regarding the agunah crisis? What boundaries can be established on social media to maintain agency and sanity? Tune in to hear Bari Mitzmann reflect on her social media advocacy and the role she played in recent ag…
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Apr 26, 2021
Keshet Starr: How Should we Advocate for Agunot? [Agunah Crisis 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Keshet Starr - CEO of ORA - about what it’s like to work on the front lines of agunah activism.
As the CEO of ORA - the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot - Keshet is directly involved with many cases of get-refusal, working with both parties to ensure a satisfactory resolution. She is also involved in agunah advocacy - both for specific agunot and to raise awareness for the issue in general - and prevention. While many are averse to the concept of prenups, as it makes them uncomfortable, Keshet works to normalize and publicize the halakhic prenup, as well as other agunah prevention tactics.
What does a typical agunah case look like? What steps does ORA take when helping an agunah? Do they protest on social media and at the get-refuser’s home immediately, or first verify the details of the case and develop a plan of action? Who does the prenup benefit and how does it give newlyweds insurance? Does it create a standard for…
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Apr 19, 2021
Rabbi Shlomo Weissman: The Rabbinic Will and Agunot [Agunah Crisis 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Shlomo Weissman - head of Beth Din of America, YU Professor, and former lawyer - about the halakhic complexities of, and attempted solutions for, the agunah crisis.
A halakhic divorce contract, called a “get,” must be given from the husband to wife, and the parties must give/receive the get willingly. When one or the other party doesn’t willingly participate in this process, the marriage cannot be ended, leaving the woman unable to remarry by Jewish law. Traditionally this has lead to women being unable to remarry when their husbands disappeared, but the issue of get-refusal - of husbands refusing to divorce their wives, maybe for leverage or spite, leaving them unable to remarry - is a more recent phenomenon.
Among the topics covered, we discuss the following: What is the scope of the agunah crisis, and more specifically of get-refusal? What halakhic mechanisms does it involve? What makes this problem harder to solve tha…
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Apr 4, 2021
Andrew Solomon: Far from the Tree [Divergence 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Andrew Solomon - a Pulitzer Prize finalist - about intergenerational divergence, as well as his book, Far from the Tree, which was in some ways the very inspiration for this topic.
Andrew’s experience with intergenerational divergence began as a child, when his gay identity imbued him with a sense of outsiderness that is evident in his work. His book, Far from the Tree, deals with this topic explicitly, exploring the impact of things like deafness on a family’s ability to relate to and provide for their child. Andrew’s distinction between vertical and horizontal identities, referring to the ways in which the child relates to and is distinct from their family, is profound and underlies much of the message 18Forty has tried to convey this month.
Among the topics covered, we discuss the following: What can lead a child to seek support outside of their family? How can parents best prepare for the possibility that their child will b…
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Mar 21, 2021
Menachem Penner and Gedalia Robinson: A Child's Orientation [Divergence 3/4]
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.
When Gedalia realized he was gay as a young teenager, his parents weren’t sure how best to deal with the information. They initially attempted conversion therapy, now known to be ineffective at best and harmful at worst. They have since come to a happier, closer place in their relationship, characterized by love and mutual respect - but the road to this happy ending was long and indirect.
Among the topics covered, we discuss the following: When did Gedalia and his parents realize he was gay? How did they react to this information? What was their initial course of action, and how has that changed over the years? Do they have any regrets? And what would they advise others in…
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Mar 14, 2021
A Child Becomes Orthodox [Divergence 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Robyn—a Reform rabbi who works with interfaith families—and her son Benji—who now identifies as Orthodox and learns in the Mir Yeshiva—about the rewards and challenges of religious diversity in the family.
Robyn is a Reform rabbi whose organizational work relates to interfaith families. Though she didn’t raise her family Orthodox, her son Benji was drawn to Orthodoxy in high school, culminating in his attending Ner Yisroel and now the Mir Yeshiva. Each one loves the other and ultimately makes compromises when necessary, but the road to their current relationship stability was not easy.
Among the topics covered, we discuss the following: When did Robyn and Benji realize they had significant religious differences? What did this realization feel like? How did they ensure their relationship would survive this obstacle? And what advice would they give to others in similar situations? Tune in to hear Robyn and Benji reflect…
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Mar 7, 2021
Daniel Grama & Aliza Grama: A Child in Recovery [Divergence 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Daniel Grama—rabbi of Westside Shul and Valley Torah High School—and his daughter Aliza—a former Bais Yaakov student and recovered addict—about navigating their religious and other differences.
Daniel is a rabbi in Los Angeles, and has, to some extent, dedicated his life to teaching others about Orthodox Judaism. Aliza experienced a rebellious teenhood in which she left religious observance and succumbed to addiction. As Aliza’s deviation from her Orthodox upbringing became more pronounced, she and her family were forced to come to terms with their differences, and eventually learned to love, understand, and compromise with each other.
Among the topics covered, we discuss the following: When did each side realize their lives were very different? How did they process this during the early years? How did Daniel and Aliza come to terms with the unfulfilled religious expectations of a parent? How have they been able…
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Feb 22, 2021
Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel: How Can God be Found After Trauma? [God 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel—speaker, educator, and yoetzet halacha— about the effects of tragedy on emunah.
In 2014, Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel’s son Naftali was kidnapped and murdered in a tragic terror attack. The week before the world learned of his fate was sad but hopeful, leaving many feeling crushed by the outcome. Despite this impossible situation, Rachelle was lauded as displaying emunah, faith, in Hashem, remaining optimistic but devoid of expectation.
-How did or didn’t Rachelle’s tragedy impact her emunah in God?
-What expectations can people have of God when they pray?
-What expectations can people not have of themselves when they pray?
-What should our relationship with God be during difficult times?
-And how should we console those who are themselves going through difficult times?
Tune in to hear Rachelle talk about emunah in the face of tragedy, and how one can blend optimism and realism.
References:…
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Feb 15, 2021
Dr. Aaron Segal: Can God Be Proven? [God 2/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Segal, philosophy professor and student of both Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Alvin Plantinga, to discuss God from the perspective of analytic philosophy.
Analytic philosophy is mathematical, breaking claims into small pieces to rigorously analyze the language and concepts. The cost of this approach is its unwieldiness and high standards, which Aaron believes has precluded it from providing a capital-P proof of God’s existence. But one can still reason about God, and though some would claim belief in God is irrational, Aaron thinks its rationality is justified.
-What are the approaches one can take to belief in God?
-What are the limits of analytic philosophy in talking about God?
-What are the limits of a philosophy like Plantinga’s reformed epistemology?
-Can one’s knowledge of God be purely experiential?
Tune in to hear Aaron talk about both the power and limits of reasoning applied to God.
References:
Tracta…
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Feb 8, 2021
Rabbi David Aaron: How Should We Talk About God? [God 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi David Aaron, author, thinker, and educator, to discuss what God is and isn’t.
People often think of God as a powerful, heavenly figure giving commandments, but to Rabbi Aaron, God is more of an experience of awe or good that morally inspires. This experience is impacted by our past experiences, often most prominently by those involving our parents. Rabbi Aaron thinks that many atheists are truly believers and would connect to their faith through therapy, not philosophy.
- What is and isn’t God?
- What does it mean to believe in God, and what does it mean to be an atheist?
- Why do people believe in God?
- How does one find and experience God?
Tune in to hear Rabbi David Aaron discuss his views on God and how the subject should be taught in our education.
References:
Tzidkas HaTzadik by Rav Tzadok
The Secret Life of God by Rabbi David Aaron
Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
Seeing God by Rabbi David Aaron…
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Jan 25, 2021
OTD Highlights
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down for a special session with our host, David Bashevkin, to discuss one of the podcast’s first topics: going off the derech.
There are many preconceptions that come with leaving one’s religious life. People often claim to know the precise psychological reasons that caused someone to leave and what kind of life they’re currently living. There are always reasons, but these reasons can be varied and unexpected, and can lead people to very different places. Some don’t even think of themselves as having left, as they have found a different derech that works for them.
-Why do people leave religion?
-Where do people go instead?
-What struggles do people experience in leaving their old communities?
-How does the desire for community manifest in trying to build a new life?
Tune in to hear David reflect on his conversations with past podcast guests about this phenomenon of leaving one’s religious community, or going OTD.
References:…
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Jan 18, 2021
Talmud Highlights
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down for a special podcast with our host, David Bashevkin, to review the first topic that 18Forty covered: Talmud.
Though Judaism has many facets to its practice, Talmud study has long been one of its hallmarks. It is a sprawling text with many commentaries, and so can be analyzed from any number of perspectives. This episode highlight three: those of Ari Bergmann, Chaim Saiman, and Michelle Chesner. From its historical formation to its ideas to its format, the Talmud was analyzed at length for its 18Forty topic, and this episode highlights some of the key questions raised.
-How was the Talmud written?
-What should one make of the often confusing mix of ideas it presents?
-Does the text format itself hold any significance?
-Is Talmud study useful for anything besides Talmud study?
-What similarities does it have to other fields of knowledge?
Tune in to hear David review and reflect on his past conversations with podcast guests about the…
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Jan 12, 2021
Why 1840?
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.
Though humanity’s history is long and rich, it’s only recently that the world has begun to look like we’re used to. From the renaissance to the scientific and industrial revolutions, technology and information seem to be progressing at an exponential rate. Judaism, along with all tradition, had to contend with modernity as we now know it for the first time. Most of modern Jewry has been affected in some way or another by this modernization of its members.
-What historical significance does the year 1840 have?
-What challenges did it bring for Judaism and other traditions?
-How did Judaism respond to those challenges?
-And in the end, how does modern Judaism differ from its other historical iterations?
Tune in to hear David share why the year 1840 holds such significance for him, and how he feels its effects in his life.…
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Jan 4, 2021
Eli Rubin: How do Mysticism and Social Action Interact? [Social Justice 3/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Eli Rubin – writer and researcher at chabad.org – to think about the stereotypes associated with social justice and vision, and how those seeming boundaries have been transcended.
Social reform requires that one embrace at least some change, leading some to think that it is antithetical to conservative worldviews. While the compatibility of Judaism and social justice movements is not guaranteed, it is often the case, even in some of what are seen as the more right-wing parts of modern Judaism. The modern history of social justice involves figures ranging from Rabbi AJ Heschel to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and challenges some common assumptions.
-Has social justice been associated with mysticism and/or rationalism?
-What might social justice, or tikkun olam, mean within Judaism?
-What have various historical figures interpreted it to mean?
-What association does the Lubavitcher Rebbe have with social justice?
Tune in to hear El…
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Dec 28, 2020
Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz: How Should We Educate About Social Justice? [Social Justice 2/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz – Shalom Hartman Institute Fellow, SAR Associate Principal, and Princeton PhD – to think about ways in which social justice can be incorporated into Orthodox education systems.
History has seen many hierarchical class systems that benefit some to the detriment of others. The Jewish people have not often been the beneficiaries, yet we enjoy much economic and social success in much of the world today. Dr. Press Schwartz thinks that while this success is in part due to our own willpower, certain fluke historical factors have played in our favor, giving us a leg up. She believes that the Torah is compatible with a social view that involves recognizing social privileges and attempting to mitigate them.
-What is privilege?
-How privileged have the Jewish people been throughout history?
-What, if anything, should be done when privileges are identified?
-What does the Torah have to say about this?
Tune in…
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Dec 21, 2020
Rabbi Jeremy Wieder: Is There a Torah Approach to our Social Responsibility? [Social Justice 1/3]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Jeremy Wieder – rosh yeshiva, PhD, Bible professor, and passionate Orthodox moral voice – to discuss what the Torah has to say about social justice.
The Torah serves as a moral guidebook for many, with some citing the avos as exemplifying generosity, even towards those they didn’t know. One might therefore expect that those most engrossed in Torah learning would fight on the front lines for social justice issues, but many make the opposite association. It seems that there may be more to morality than studying Halakhah alone.
-What kind of morality does Halakhah espouse?
-Why is the Beit Midrash not typically associated with social justice if the Torah is our moral guidebook?
-Is Halakhah the only element to the picture the Torah paints of morality, or is there more?
-And as Halakhah is mostly immutable, to what degree, and in what fashion, can the Torah evolve in response to the times?
Tune in to hear Rabbi Jeremy…
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Dec 7, 2020
Rabbi Meir Triebitz: How Should We Approach the Science of the Torah? [Science 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Meir Triebitz – Rosh Yeshiva, PhD, and expert on matters of science and the Torah – to discuss what kind of science we can learn from the Torah.
The Torah, and especially the Talmud, addresses a wide subject matter including theology, morality, metaphysics, and science. It is sometimes said to contain all knowledge – meaning that we could learn anything from the Torah, which seems to imply that all of the Torah’s scientific claims are true. Some welcome this perspective, while others object to it.
-What is the Torah’s subject matter?
-Does it contain irreconcilable scientific claims?
-Should a statement’s subject matter change how we interpret it?
-What if we aren’t supposed to interpret a statement as scientifically true, but our Halakhah today is in some way predicated on the statement being true?
-And does our not interpreting a statement literally mean it isn’t true, or just that we can’t understand…
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Nov 30, 2020
Rabbi David Fohrman: Does the Torah Teach Science? [Science 3/4]
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.
There are many approaches one could take when confronted with science that seem to contradict parts of the Torah. Some, including Nathan Aviezer, orchestrate elaborate readings of the beginning of Bereishis in accordance with Biblical concordism. Some, like Natan Slifkin, feel comfortable reading the pesukim metaphorically, feeling less need to provide literal reconciliations. Rabbi David Fohrman feels that many people could benefit from thinking more about how the Torah and science coexist, particularly the words of the first few chapters in Bereishis.
- In what genre is the Torah?
- How should we treat its content?
- Does it ever try to teach us empirical facts about the world, or is it trying to give perspective on life?
- What other kinds…
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Nov 23, 2020
Professor Allison Coudert: How did Religion Influence Science? [Science 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Professor Allison Coudert, of the Department of Religious Studies at UC Davis, to discuss the historical interplay of science with religion, and specifically with Kabbalah.
During a 1917 lecture talking about the rational mindset underlying science, Max Weber famously declared that “This means that the world is disenchanted.” Though this sentiment has permeated the public consciousness, Allison thinks the real story is more complicated. She thinks that science and enlightenment philosophy only heightened the magic we humans could experience, and that enlightenment movements have done so historically. In her mind, religion and science aren’t opponents, as they’re so often framed, but engage in a mutually-beneficial relationship, each inspiring and strengthening the other.
- What has the historical interplay of science and religion been?
- What influence has Kabbalah specifically had on scientists’ thought?
- What conno…
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Nov 17, 2020
Dr. Jeremy England: What Does a Scientist See in the Torah? [Science 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jeremy England, physicist and biologist, to discuss his lives as a Jew and an academic, and how, if at all, those lives interact.
Jeremy grew up a barely-affiliated Jew and obtained a degree in biochemistry from Harvard, but discovered his love for Judaism and began reading authors like Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Ruth Weiss. He is an accomplished scientist, having posited the theory of dissipative adaptation to explain abiogenesis, but still sees a depth and meaning to the words of the Torah. Though science plays an important role in his life, he feels that has managed to find a role for Torah despite this fact without compromising on the ideals of either.
- What are the abilities and limitations of science?
- What are the abilities and limitations of Torah?
- As a scientist, how did Jeremy reconcile the two as he became more religious?
- How does the study of each compare to the other?
- And what role should they ultimately…
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Nov 2, 2020
Rav Moshe Weinberger: Can Mysticism Become a Community? [Mysticism 3/3]
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.
Rav Weinberger grew up Modern Orthodox and became attracted to Chassidus at a young age. Though he is a fan of the yeshiva system and believes that Halakha cannot be compromised, he has long watched with anguish as countless products of the system have been turned off by the dry, inhumane version of Yiddishkeit taught to them. Rav Weinberger believes that Jewish education must evolve over time, and that Chassidus is as good an approach as any for the current generation.
-How can one go about strengthening their connection to Hashem?
-What are the educational challenges of today’s generation?
-Where does the modern-day yeshiva system succeed, and where does it fail its students?
-And how can we attempt to tweak the system to suit everyone’s needs?
Tune in to hear Rav Moshe Weinberger discuss the challenges that he sees facing t…
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Oct 27, 2020
Dr. Ora Wiskind: How do you Read a Mystical Text? [Mysticism 2/3]
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.
Ora grew up in a Reform family in Ohio, receiving a top-notch secular education but a minimal Jewish one. After studying in France and Germany she found herself in Israel, eventually becoming Orthodox despite her rebellious nature. With her background in literature, she has contributed unique, hermeneutic perspectives on some Hasidic masters, like Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, and continues to break new ground with her scholarship on mysticism.
-What are mysticism and rationalism, and what are the appeals of both mindsets?
-How did someone with Ora’s background end up writing about the mystical works of Rebbe Nachman?
-How has her background in literature influenced her writings?
-How does she approach her work as a religious academic, where she must stay objective about the content she studies…
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Oct 19, 2020
Joey Rosenfeld: Can Mysticism Heal Us? [Mysticism 1/3]
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.
Mysticism is often misunderstood and dismissed by rationalists without much thought, but what is mysticism? One might define it by what it’s not: reductionism, which combined with complexity is science. But what if we saw things as their whole instead of their constituent parts? Maybe we’re limiting ourselves by reducing the big picture to a list of atomic components; maybe seeing the unfiltered unity in all things would be freeing.
Joey Rosenfeld began to learn Kabbalah in depth in yeshiva, when he was supposed to be dedicating his time to Talmud, and found its ideas to be profoundly life-changing. He does not fit the stereotype of the secluded, white-bearded mystic, as he is a social worker and addiction counselor. As someone with a unique window into people’s vulnerab…
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Sep 29, 2020
Samuel G. Freedman: Can Jew vs. Jew Ever Become Jew with Jew? [Peoplehood 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Professor of Journalism at Columbia and author, Samuel G. Freedman, to talk about dissent not as a cause of ugliness and divide, but of beauty and unity.
Some would say that disagreement isn’t a bug of the Jewish community, but a feature. We have a rich history of debate in the Talmud and haven’t been able to shake this dubious quality even in the modern day United States. The internet has only exaggerated this, and while one can argue for the benefits of dissent, the fact that Jews seem embroiled in a perpetual state of debate remains.
-Is debate a healthy state of mind for our community?
-Should we be looking to avoid debate or embrace it?
-Does dissent cause only divide or can it be used as a means of understanding the other members of our community?
Tune in to hear Samuel discuss the roles that individual Jews play in the larger debate that is the Jewish community.
For more, visit https://18forty.org/peoplehood/#freed…
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Sep 22, 2020
Bethany S. Mandel: Jews without Community [Peoplehood 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with conservative journalist and cultural commentator, Bethany S. Mandel, to talk about the entrances and exits of her life, reconstructing Jewish identity, and creating a Jewish home outside of the Jewish community.
Bethany has written for the New York Times and Washington Post, and now serves as an opinion columnist for the Forward, a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beyond the Beltway blog, and is an editor at Richocet.com. She is a sharp writer and speaker about Jewish communal life, particularly about conversion, and has written about the impact of the Freundel affair on her life.
-Can one be a member of the Jewish community while living outside the institutions that constitute the community?
-Can you love Judaism, but not Jews?
-How does one deal with disappointment in Judaism, particularly at the hands of a Jewish leader?
-How can we build reconciliation and create a more empathetic community?
Tune in to hear Bethany…
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Sep 15, 2020
Laura E. Adkins: Is There Room for All Opinions? [Peoplehood 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Laura E. Adkins, the JTA’s opinion editor and an adjunct professor of journalism at Stern College for Women, to talk about how she stays grounded while engaging with so many disparate viewpoints.
Many people live in a perpetual bubble, never allowing themselves to step too far from the lifestyle they feel is comfortable. They may only ever engage with straw man versions of others’ opinions, and therefore may never be exposed to a diversity of ideas and people. As a seasoned journalist - currently the opinion editor of the internationally-syndicated Jewish Telegraphic Agency - Laura is no stranger to subversive opinions and pluralistic attitudes. She is also a baalas teshuva, having forged her Jewish identity by the force of her own will.
-How has she been able to stay grounded and centered in her identity as a person while engaging with so many different people and opinions?
-How has her experience as a baalas teshuva contr…
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Sep 10, 2020
Rav Aaron Lopiansky: What Tribes do you Contain Inside? [Peoplehood 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rav Aaron Lopiansky, Rosh HaYeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, to talk about the challenges facing American Orthodoxy, life-long education, and value education.
Rav Lopiansky speaks the language of the particular; much of his insight is situated for those in the Yeshiva-oriented Jewish communities, but his thought is important for all. As he navigates his understanding of the many roles we all occupy, he promotes a loving acceptance of diversity within the community, with the goal of appreciation for the whole Jewish people.
-How can one person love a whole nation?
-How can the love for a nation be a textured love, an appreciation that runs deeper than ethnocentrism or love of the similar?
-Can deep engagement with one’s own cultural experience engender a deeper appreciation for other cultures?
-Or do the lines of difference between one’s culture and others demand demarcation?
Tune in to hear Rav Lopiansky discu…
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Aug 25, 2020
Reflections Four Months After Launch
18Forty launched in May 2020 and since then we’ve explored Talmud, OTD: Leaving Religion, Comedy, and Biblical Criticism. As we take a two-week break before exploring our next topic, we want to spend some time reflecting on what we’ve learned.
Learn more at https://18forty.org/
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Aug 17, 2020
Gil Student: Where are the Lines?
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Gil Student, an infamous blogger who created Torah Musings, to talk about the credibility of modern Biblical scholarship.
Gil grew up learning the Bible from the perspective of Biblical criticism, but its conclusions never jived with him. Though many are quick to note places where the Torah uses inconsistent characterizations as evidence that it has been written by multiple authors, he has always noted the implicit assumptions that these lines of thinking entail. Through his years developing and evolving opinions, Gil has experienced firsthand how subjectively we humans think, and he is loath to call any conclusion objectively true.
-Are the conclusions put forth by Bible critics indisputable, or at least strongly convincing?
-Do traditional commentaries have anything to say that’s of value?
-How flexible can we be before crossing the lines denoted by Orthodox Judaism?
-And how should we strike a balance between adhering…
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Aug 17, 2020
Biblical Criticism Conclusion
As we confront the questions that Biblical criticism has presented, we must ask ourselves how we can keep that transcendent, atemporal view of the Torah. Perhaps considering the seemingly temporal idiosyncrasies of the Torah can actually strengthen our appreciation of its timelessness. For more, visit https://18Forty.org/bible.
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Aug 3, 2020
Joshua Berman: What Should We Believe?
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Joshua Berman, a professor of Bible at Bar-Ilan University, to talk about the relationship between Orthodox Judaism and Biblical criticism.
Many Orthodox educators avoid dealing with Biblical criticism, leaving their students feeling that they’ve been duped. Religious Bible critics are a minority in the field, giving some the impression that the questions raised cannot be adequately addressed. Though Joshua grew up with a strong internally-driven sense of faith, he too has been struck by some of these questions when his colleagues have pointed them out.
-Are there strong questions to be asked on the Orthodox view of the Bible?
-Are there scholars who feel they have answers that can adequately quell the doubts raised by these questions?
-Is this approach falsifiable?
-And is it merely apologetics, or is this scholarship just as legitimate, if not more, than the opposing scholarship?
Tune in to hear Joshua reflect on his j…
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Jul 26, 2020
Biblical Criticism Intro
David explains how, despite his initial apprehensiveness towards the topic, he has come to appreciate the different approaches to Biblical criticism offered by this month’s three guests: Joshua Berman, Gil Student, and Sara Susswein Tesler. For more, visit https://18Forty.org/bible.
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Jul 19, 2020
Comedy Conclusion
As we live through the ups and downs of life, laughter begins to play an invaluable role in our mental well-being. Perhaps comedy can provide a helpful lens through which to view the sometimes stressful responsibilities of our life.
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Jul 19, 2020
Daniel Feldman: Punchlines with Boundaries and Opportunities
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Rabbi Daniel Feldman, a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University and an author to discuss the role of comedy in Jewish thought and practice.
We usually think of learning Torah as something serious and of comedy as incompatible with it. It is therefore natural to assume that comedy doesn’t have value, or at least that it doesn’t have inherent value, according to the Torah. The Torah even prohibits something called “leitzanus,” which many translate loosely to mean “humor.” Is there any value in humor beyond helping us cope with life’s hardships? What is the prohibited act of “leitzanus,” and how does that tie into the Torah’s view on humor in general? Are there any examples of humor in the Torah? Can we make jokes about the Torah and other important topics? And if we can, how far is too far?
Tune in as Rabbi Daniel Feldmand discusses the sometimes surprising answers to these questions.
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Jul 12, 2020
Leah Forster: Of Comedy and Community
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Leah Forster, an ex-Hasidic comedian to talk about how her journey has affected her comedy.
Leah found comedy at a young age and pioneered comedy by women for women in the ultra-Orthodox world. She realized that the ultra-Orthodox life she grew up with caused a deep conflict within herself and she left to remain true to her authentic self. She was later at the center of a controversy where two bookings at kosher restaurants were cancelled, with their kashrus organizations threatening to pull their certifications because she was lesbian. How has Leah kept her comedy positive and free of bitterness and cynicism? How has she stayed positive in her personal life when dealing with these hardships? What lessons has she learned from them? And does she see herself as a role model to religious people who are realizing that they don’t fit within their community?
Tune in as Leah reflects on her journey in between demonstrations of h…
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Jul 5, 2020
Gary Gulman: This Impossible Life
*This episode is sponsored by Louis and Debby Flancbaum*
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Gary Gulman, a world-famous comedian with comedy specials on Netflix and HBO, to talk about the relationship between comedy and the art of living.
Gary grew up with a close relationship to God and was deeply depressed as a child. He thought he would be happy if he mastered something, so he resolved to become a good basketball player, then a successful accountant. But a change in perspective led him to try comedy, and he has since felt much more fulfilled. How does one construct meaning in their life? Does comedy help construct meaning or have any other value? Can one feel fulfilled if they feel average, or does one have to excel to be happy? And how does Gary’s Jewish identity play into his life philosophy?
Tune in to hear Gary reflect on his comedic journey and the role it has played in finding meaning in his life.
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Jun 28, 2020
Comedy Intro
David explains how comedy and humor can uncover a mystical oneness that allows us to construct meaning and community from mundane occurrences.
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May 28, 2020
OTD: Leaving Religion Conclusion
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May 28, 2020
Kelsey Osgood: A Conversion Narrative of Sorts
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May 28, 2020
Philo Judaeus: Is There a Room for Dialogue?
In this episode of the 18Forty podcast, David invites a man who goes by the pseudonym Philo Judaeus – former member of the Orthodox Jewish community and moderator of the ambitious Frum/OTD Dialogue Facebook group – to discuss the intersection of philosophy and religiosity.
According to Philo, even most of the greatest atheistic cosmologists would concede that there are compelling arguments for the existence of a divine being, and yet these same scientists remain atheist. Our deep-rooted motivations behind religious commitment may often go unquestioned, and Philo suggests this as a worthy mental exercise. In our commitment to religious observance, or lack thereof, how prevalent are the elements of logic? Pragmatism? Blind faith? How deep into these philosophical rabbit-holes must we venture, as individuals, to achieve fulfilment? Many times, it’s the way we resolve these philosophical questions that direct us one way or another. Tune in to join David and Philo Judaeus as they exp…
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May 28, 2020
Shulem Deen: Faith, without Faith
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David discusses with special guest and former member of the Ultra-Orthodox community, Shulem Deen, the struggle and importance of balancing one’s individual needs with those of the community.
Though many of us are aware of the extreme disconnect that exists between the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and the secular world, the result of this unfortunate dynamic offers powerful insight. In particular, the intense and likely under-discussed experience of ex-Ultra-Orthodox community members (a group referred to by many as ‘Off The Derech’ or OTD) raises important questions about the reality of this intercommunity conflict and life as a modern Jew. In what ways do the religious and secular worlds misunderstand each other? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Ultra-Orthodox and secular worlds in facilitating a positive life for their members? How can we as individuals combat the inescapable myopia of living within a social bubble? Tune…
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May 27, 2020
OTD: Leaving Religion Intro
David introduces the next series of the 18Forty Podcast: why people join and leave religion and what we can learn from their decisions.
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May 5, 2020
Why 1840?
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.
Though humanity’s history is long and rich, it’s only recently that the world has begun to look like we’re used to. From the renaissance to the scientific and industrial revolutions, technology and information seem to be progressing at an exponential rate. Judaism, along with all tradition, had to contend with modernity as we now know it for the first time. Most of modern Jewry has been affected in some way or another by this modernization of its members.
What historical significance does the year 1840 have? What challenges did it bring for Judaism and other traditions? How did Judaism respond to those challenges? And in the end, how does modern Judaism differ from its other historical iterations? Tune in to hear David share why the year 1840 holds such significance for him, and how he feels its effects in his life.
For m…
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Apr 21, 2020
Talmud Conclusion
It’s hard to make sense and order within the Talmud. But maybe that’s the point. Listen to some brief closing thoughts on the value of building meaning specifically when it is not apparent.
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Mar 18, 2020
Talmud as an Agent of Chaos: A Conversation with Ari Bergmann
Talmud as an Agent of Chaos: A Conversation with Ari Bergmann by 18Forty
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Mar 18, 2020
Is Talmud the Jewish Constitution? A Conversation with Chaim Saiman
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.
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Mar 18, 2020
A Page is Worth A Thousand Worlds: A Conversation with Michelle Chesner
In this episode, David and special guest, Michelle Chesner, Columbia University’s Norman E. Alexander Librarian for Jewish Studies, discuss how the formatting of sacred Jewish texts has developed throughout Jewish history and impacted religious Judaism.
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Mar 17, 2020
Talmud Intro
Why start here? In a brief opening thought, David explains the role of Talmud in finding meaning amid chaos.
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Mar 16, 2020
Journey to 18Forty: A Conversation with Mitchell D. Eichen
Journey to 18Forty: A Conversation with Mitchell D. Eichen by 18Forty
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