18Forty Podcast

Yehoshua Pfeffer, a prominent Haredi social thinker and activist, shares insights on the challenges surrounding the Haredi draft in Israel. He discusses the complexities of integrating Haredi citizens into military service while navigating tensions between religious beliefs and civic responsibilities. Pfeffer also explores the relationship between Judaism and democracy, questioning whether Israel should be a religious state. His reflections on identity, Messianism, and the need for coexistence highlight the ongoing societal debates within modern Israel.

Eli Rubin is a scholar and Lubavitcher Hasid, known for his insights into Chabad Hasidism. He delves into the Rebbe's legacy and the philosophical foundations of Hasidism, urging listeners to contemplate the role of the Mashiach in contemporary life. The discussion touches on the Rebbe's unique leadership style and his approach to community through mitzvot. Rubin also addresses the relevance of Kabbalistic thought in today's world and the dynamic understanding of redemption, emphasizing the enduring influence of the Rebbe's teachings.

Yosef Bronstein, a rabbi, writer, and scholar, dives into the profound philosophy of Chabad and the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He discusses what attracts individuals from other Orthodox backgrounds, like Litvaks, to Chabad's teachings. The conversation explores the Rebbe's innovations in Judaism and how a messianic consciousness can enrich spiritual lives. Bronstein also highlights the complexities of modern Jewish identity and the possibility of integrating diverse perspectives within the Orthodox community, all while reflecting on the emotional landscape of contemporary Israel.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Chava Green—an emerging scholar who wrote her doctoral dissertation on “the Hasidic face of feminism”—about how the Lubavitcher Rebbe infused American sensibilities with mystical sensitivities, paying particular attention to the role of women.Some stereotype mysticism as something out of this world. But the Lubavitcher Rebbe showed us the importance of having mysticism inform our everyday lives, emphasizing the cosmic impact of the mitzvos done by men, women, and children. In this episode we discuss:Was the Rebbe really “the biggest feminist”?How did the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s mysticism translate to the lived experience of his followers? How did Green come to be a self-identified Hasidic feminist? Tune in to hear a conversation about how both the Jewish and feminist worlds contain a wider range of ideas than one might expect. Interview begins at 8:55.Chava Green is a writer, teacher, and perpetual student. After graduating with her B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies, she attended Mayanot Women’s Program in Jerusalem and Machon Alta in Tzfat. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Jewish studies at Emory University and lives with her family in Morristown, New Jersey. Her work considers the relationship between Chabad teachings and feminism.References:Hidden Heretics: Jewish Doubt in the Digital Age by Ayala FaderMitzvah Girls: Bringing Up the Next Generation of Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn by Ayala FaderMystics, Mavericks, and Merrymakers by Stephanie Wellen LevineSocial Vision: The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Transformative Paradigm for the World by Philip WexlerChava Green on Chabad.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

Rabbi YY Jacobson, a renowned Chabad speaker and former oral scribe for the Lubavitcher Rebbe, shares insightful reflections on Hasidic thought. He discusses the Rebbe's role in revitalizing Judaism post-Holocaust, linking traditional teachings to modern life. The connection between trauma and spirituality is explored, along with the Rebbe's unique approach to Zionism. Jacobson emphasizes the importance of unity within the Jewish community and examines how the Rebbe's legacy continues to inspire teachings on personal growth and collective identity.

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, a prominent leader in the Reform Movement, dives into the layers of anti-Zionism within his community. He discusses the growing disconnect of younger Jews from Israel and the implications for Jewish continuity. The conversation touches on the need for open dialogue between caring for fellow Jews and addressing global issues. Hirsch also reflects on the challenges of fostering a strong Jewish identity, especially post-October 7th, underscoring the importance of leadership and community engagement in navigating these complex dynamics.

Subscribe to 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday.  —If you want to understand Israel, then you need to know Benny Morris.Prof. Benny Morris is a leading Israeli historian who revolutionized the field of Israeli history by digging into the government’s declassified archives in the ‘80s, ushering in the era of “New Historians” who challenged traditional views of Israel’s history. After peace talks failed and the Second Intifada began in the early 2000s, his views drastically shifted regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict—specifically its prospects for resolution. Praised and criticized across the political divide, Benny Morris’ work lies at the bedrock of Israeli history today. Now, he sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including what should happen with Gaza after the war, Palestinian-Israeli peace prospects, whether the IDF is the world’s most moral army, and so much more. This interview was held on June 10.Here are some of our 18 questions:As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes?What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict after the war?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Adam J. Raskin—a  Conservative rabbi in Maryland—and Mia Raskin, his Orthodox daughter. In discussing the ideological and sociological realities of Jewish denominations, we often lose sight of their real-world manifestation in Jewish life. By hearing how a real family navigates denominational differences, we might, in fact, learn a lesson or two about Jewish unity. In this episode we discuss:What does a Conservative rabbi think about the practice of his less observant congregants? How did Mia deal with religious observance as a Division I basketball player?How do the apparent barriers between Jewish groups play out when we interact in the world?Tune in to hear a conversation about how we might think more deeply than the labels of “secular,” “frum,” “baal teshuva,” and the like.Interview begins at 6:58.Rabbi Adam J. Raskin is the rabbi and spiritual leader of Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, Maryland. Adam is a member of the Executive Council of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international organization of Conservative Rabbis, and is a founder of the Potomac-Area Interfaith Communities. Mia Raskin is a program director and Marketing Analyst for Athletes for Israel, a graduate of Binghamton University, where she played college basketball while keeping Shabbos.References:God in Search of Man by Abraham Joshua HeschelThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

While we return to Jewish Denominations next week, enjoy this ever-necessary 2020 conversation about Jewish infighting, division, and unity—pulled from the 18Forty vault. 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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

This series is sponsored by Joel and Lynn Mael in memory of Estelle and Nysen Mael.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author and historian Dr. Marc B. Shapiro about the blurry borders that distinguish Reform, Conservative, yeshivish, Modern Orthodox, and the many other Jewish sects from one another.We take today’s Jewish denominational and cultural differences for granted, but they were not inevitable. Moments in history formed our sects, and Dr. Shapiro helps us unpack them. In this episode we discuss:How did the Conservative movement diverge from Orthodoxy?Where did the “yeshiva world” come from?How have Jews historically maintained friendship despite denominational divisions?Tune in to hear a conversation about Jews’ tangled relationship between ideology and lived experience. Interview begins at 13:36Dr. Marc B. Shapiro holds the Weinberg Chair in Judaic Studies at the University of Scranton. Marc received his PhD from Harvard, and he is the author of numerous books, articles, and reviews, including Between the Yeshiva World and Modern Orthodoxy, The Limits of Orthodox Theology, and Changing the Immutable: How Orthodox Judaism Rewrites Its History. References:Halacha HeadlinesBetween the Yeshiva World and Modern Orthodoxy by Marc B. ShapiroSaul Lieberman and the Orthodox by Marc B. ShapiroChanging the Immutable by Marc B. ShapiroMarc B. Shapiro on The Seforim BlogJudith Berlin Lieberman: Autobiography and Reflections edited by Menachem Butler and Abraham LiebermanA Few Good MenToras HaNazir by Rav HutnerIggerot Malkhei Rabanan by Marc B. ShapiroOrthodox Jews in America by Jeffrey S. GurockReading Jewish History in the Parsha with David BashevkinAll ParshaThe Book And The Sword by David Weiss HalivniBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.