On Loss: Defending Israel on Oct. 7

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 15:25References: Sin•a•gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought by David BashevkinThe Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott PeckSefiras Haomer: The Link Between Tushuva And Torah by Yaakov ElmanMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklAtomic Habits by James ClearDedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing by Pete DavisMesilas YesharimChovot HaLevavotOr HaTzafunAspiration by Agnes CallardBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

30 Aug 20221h 27min

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 channelMalka Simkovich: The Mystery Of The Jewish PeopleBnei Yissaschar by Tzvi Elimelech Spira of DinovTzidkas HaTzaddik by Rav Tzadok HaKohen of LublinOz VeHadar Mesivta Talmud“Show and Tale”“I Read This Over Shabbos”Jewish Mediation: A Practical Guide by Aryeh KaplanThe Birth of the Spoken Word by Dovid’l WeinbergIf You Were God by Aryeh KaplanTefillin by Aryeh KaplanWaters of Eden by Aryeh KaplanBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

23 Aug 202244min

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 KnowSaturday 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. YalomBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

16 Aug 20221h 24min

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 AzulaiReferences:Kedusha, Shabbos Davening“Mimkomcha” as sung at the funeral of Donny Morris“Donny Morris’ schedule”Daniel Ish Chamudot: A Parsha Companion in Bein Adam L'chaveiro in Memory of Donny Morris z”l by Yeshivat Sha’alvimLiving Emunah by Rabbi David Ashear“B’Yadcha” by Rinas AmchaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

2 Aug 20221h 33min

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 SukkahMishpacha MagazineTop Five List of Jewish Character and Characters by Dovid BashevkinDavid the Divided Heart by David WolpeTradition MagazineThe Shul Without a Clock by Emanuel Feldman“Tefillin in a A Brown Paper Bag” by Emanuel Feldman“An Imagined Symposium” by Emanuel FeldmanTales Out of Shul by Emanuel Feldman“Yaakov and Jay: A Tale of Two Worlds” by Emanuel Feldman"Tablet Magazine on the Talmud" by Dovid Bashevkin“On His Blindness” by John Milton“God and Mrs. Cooperman” by Emanuel FeldmanSophie's Choice by William Styron“Reconciling Opposites: Uncommon Connections in the Halakha of Mourning” by Emanuel FeldmanSin-a-gogue: Sin, and Failure in Jewish Thought by David BashevkinBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

26 Juli 20221h 12min

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. Alexander Librarian for Jewish Studies at Columbia University; co-director of Footprints: Jewish Books Through Time and Place; and President of the Association of Jewish Libraries. Michelle is a favorite past guest at 18Forty and joins us to talk about the work of a librarian. References:Harry Potter by J.K. RowlingThe Story of Dovid Bashevkin by Meaningful People PodcastRav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revolution by Yehudah MirskyGershom Scholem: Kabbalah and Counter-History by David BialePursuit of Heresy, Rabbi Moses Hagiz and the Sabbatian Controversy by Elisheva CarlebachPulp FictionMaking of a Gadol by Nathan Kamenetsky Columbia Hebrew ManuscriptsFootprints: Jewish Books Through Time and PlaceThe Sarajevo HaggadahThe Prince of the Press by Josh TeplitskyEncyclopedia of Jewish Book Cultures edited by Emil Schrijver The Hebrew Book in Early Italy edited by Joseph R. Hacker and Adam ShearA Sign and a Witness: 2,000 Years of Hebrew Books and Illuminated Manuscripts by William Gross, Orly Tzion, and Falk Wiesemann“Books Weeping for Someone to Visit and Admire Them: Jewish Library Culture in the United States, 1850–1910” by Robert Singerman“Top Five” by Dovid Bashevkin“Top 5 Stuff that Get Yeshiva Guys Into Jewish Studies”Between the Yeshiva World and Modern Orthodoxy: The Life and Works of Rabbi Jehiel Jacob Weinberg, 1884-1966 by Marc B. Shapiro“The Dual Role of Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Chajes: Traditionalist and Maskil” by Bruria Hutner David “Rupture and Reconstruction” by Haym Soloveitchik“Facing the Truths of History” by Jacob J. SchacterLithuanian Yeshivas of the Nineteenth Century: Creating a Tradition of Learning by Shaul Stampfer Jew Vs Jew: The Struggle For The Soul of American Jewry by Samuel G. FreedmanAmerican Judaism: A History by Jonathan D. SarnaThe Shul without a Clock: Second Thoughts from a Rabbi's Notebook by Emanuel Feldman Tales Out of Shul: The Unorthodox Journal of an Orthodox Rabbi by Emanuel Feldman “The Haredim: A Defense” by Aharon RoseBy His Light: Character and Values in the Service of God by Aharon LichtensteinThe Book and the Sword: A Life of Learning in the Shadow of Destruction by David Weiss HalivniBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

19 Juli 20221h 23min

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 MillerMatthew Miller is the owner and publisher of Koren Press. Miller founded Toby Press, which published Yehuda Avner’s The Prime Ministers along with other works, and purchased Koren Press in 2007. Altie KarperAltie Karper is the editorial director of Schocken Books, a division of Penguin Random House. Schocken, has a long history as a major publisher of Jewish literature and an early publisher of great thinkers such as Kafka, Rosenzweig, Buber, and Agnon, among many others.References:““Let Me Make You Famous”: How Hollywood Invented Ben Shapiro” by Tina NguyenThe Jewish Bookshelf as a Site of Self-fashioning: Reflections on a Historical Phenomenon in a Contemporary Moment by Elli Fischer and David BashevkinTop Five, A List of Jewish Character and Characters by Dovid BashevkinThe Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan Library of Jewish Thought by Rabbi Aryeh KaplanThe Megillah: The Book of EstherRabbi Meir Zlotowitz by Yisrael BesserAll for the Boss by Ruchoma ShainThe Koren TanakhAmadeus18Forty: Larry and Tzipora Rothwachs: Here Without You — A Child’s Eating DisorderBiblical Images by Rabbi Adin SteinsaltzThe Covenant Kitchen: Food and Wine for the New Jewish Table: A Cookbook by Jeff and Jodie MorganThe Patron, A Life of Salman Schocken by Anthony DavidBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

12 Juli 20221h 39min

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 14:04Rabbi 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 articles on Jewish thought, Tanach, and other subjects, along with being the mentor of many students over his years of teaching. References:Sefer HaChinukhChidushei Rabeinu Chaim Halevi – Rambam by Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk“A Room With a View, But a Room of Our Own” by Rabbi Shalom Carmy“A Peshat in the Dark: Reflections on the Age of Cary Grant” by Rabbi Shalom CarmyForgive Us, Father-in-Law, For We Know Not What To Think: Letter To A Philosophical Dropout From Orthodoxy by Rabbi Shalom CarmyStrauss, Spinoza & Sinai: Orthodox Judaism and Modern Questions of Faith edited by Jeffrey Bloom, Alec Goldstein, and Gil Student"Editor’s Note: Homer and the Bible" by Rabbi Shalom Carmy“Of Eagle’s Flight and Snail’s Pace” by Rabbi Shalom Carmy“Editors Note: Lost Cause: A Conclusion in Which Nothing is Concluded” by Rabbi Shalom CarmyMiddlemarch by George EliotRashi on Tanakh Ramban on TorahRif on TalmudHenry More: The Rational Theology of a Cambridge Platonist by Rabbi Aharon LichtensteinBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

5 Juli 20221h 10min