JL;DR

Sruli Fruchter reflects on the profound impact of the Bibas family tragedy on his own life, and finds solace in the Jewish tradition of reciting Kaddish. Thr...

Drawing on Susan Silk's Ring Theory, Sruli Fruchter explores the emotional divides between American and Israeli Jews, accentuated by recent crises. The theor...

Ari Lamm, a multifaceted rabbi and scholar, champions the importance of reading the Torah in its original Hebrew to unlock deeper themes and nuances often lo...

Sruli Fruchter addresses the lack of awareness among some Jewish communities regarding Israeli hostages, emphasizing the need to learn and share their storie...

Sruli Fruchter explores the emotional and temporal disconnect between Diaspora Jews and Israel in light of recent conflicts. This dissonance is characterized...

Shira Melamed, director of Midreshet Torat Chessed in Israel, underscores the transformative power of the gap year for Jewish youth. This year offers a uniqu...

Sruli Fruchter explores the spiritual journey of moving towards Orthodoxy from a Reform Jewish background, examining the complexities and insecurities of red...

The Hardal community, often associated with yeshivas like Har Hamor and Mercaz Harav, blends the religious rigor of Haredi life with religious Zionism's nati...

Rabbi Steven Gotlib closes 18Forty's "Faith in Reason" series with a reflection on Jewish philosophy as a means to systematically approach theology from a pe...

Sruli Fruchter explores the complex experiences of living between modern Orthodoxy and Israel's Religious Zionism after making aliyah. The transition from Am...

Sruli Fruchter explores the challenges and nuances of translating the teachings of Rav Menachem Froman, a spiritually complex figure known for his controvers...

Rabbi Ammi Hirsch's recent Yom Kippur sermon has sparked a debate within Jewish communities, criticizing younger generations for disconnecting from Israel an...

Sruli Fruchter examines the state of Jewish identity in the American Orthodox community, questioning why there hasn't been a unified outreach effort akin to ...

Sruli Fruchter explores the intersection of body image and the Jewish spiritual practice of teshuva, arguing that developing a healthy self-image is an impor...

Sruli Fruchter shares her transformative journey from mainstream feminist ideals to becoming a Hasidic feminist, inspired by Chabad philosophy and the teachi...

Michael Schlank reflects on his summer experience at NJY Camps, where he interacted with 500 Israeli campers and 100 staff members amidst the backdrop of pos...

Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel is recognized globally for her profound faith and scholarship in Jewish law and thought. After the tragic loss of her son Naftali ...

Rabbi Steven Gotlib's essay in 18Forty's Faith in Reason series explores whether Zionism is inherently fundamental to Judaism. It argues that numerous passag...

In this 18Forty interview series, right-wing Israeli commentator Gadi Taub discusses his views on several contentious political issues, including judicial re...

In this article, the fragility of faith during times of crisis is explored, specifically referencing the impact of severe existential crises on Jewish faith,...

Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits (1908-1992) was a traditional rabbi known for his prolific writings on varied subjects such as halacha, faith, and Jewish ethics. He ...

Contrary to other cultures, Judaism does not personify Death as a figure; rather, it is viewed as a tool of God, sometimes personified as Satan, controlling ...

Rabbi Shalom Hammer shares his personal story of losing his daughter, Gila, to suicide and how it led him to establish Gilas Way, an organization dedicated t...

The writer recalls being called by a rabbi to participate in a burial service for a man who passed away with no known family or friends. Despite not knowing ...

The discussion surrounding the divisions within Judaism poses the question: should Judaism adhere to Orthodox, post-denominational, or alternative frameworks...

The text compares the mission of Chabad with Centrist Orthodoxy in understanding the purpose of Jewish practice as creating a dwelling place for God in the p...

The essay discusses the need for mourning and healing in the Jewish community following the October 7 massacre and parallels it with the concept of the Three...

Rav Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag, also known as Baal HaSulam, was a key figure in popularizing Kabbalah and the Zohar in the 20th century. Born in Poland, he mo...

The article discusses the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, focusing on the importance of collectivity, generosity, and e...

The text emphasizes the importance of democracy as a moral value and highlights Abraham Lincoln's definition of democracy as protecting individual freedom an...

The essay discusses the fundamental question of "why be Jewish" in contemporary discourse, focusing on the shift towards emphasizing the act of "doing Jewish...

Benny Morris, a prominent Israeli historian, has shifted to the right politically over the years, and remains a crucial figure in understanding Israel's hist...

The author describes her journey of discovering Orthodoxy and halacha, starting with a fascination with the moon and the interconnectedness of Jewish women's...

In 1992, a symposium on Orthodox unity addressed significant halakhic issues and challenges facing the Jewish community, including internal divisions, outrea...

The author reflects on feeling spiritually homeless while growing up in a mixed denominational Jewish environment in America. They struggled to reconcile the...

The author reflects on their Jewish identity crisis, which started in their youth when questioning the meaning of Judaism, leading them to atheism due to per...

The author reflects on their personal journey of Jewish affiliation, revealing a deep connection to Orthodox Judaism stemming from a family history where Jew...

The article discusses how the trauma of October 7, like the horror experienced during that event, will now mark time for Israel and global Jewry. The challen...

Rav Aharon Lichtenstein's paper from 1981 outlines the Hesder program's unique approach, allowing religious students to combine military service with Torah s...

The text discusses different philosophical perspectives on free will, including libertarianism, determinism, and compatibilism, and their implications for Je...

The letter addresses children who are estranged from their parents, emphasizing the deep hurt and complexities of these relationships. The writer draws on ex...

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon has composed a special prayer for Israel to be recited at Pesach Sedarim, expressing gratitude for living in a time of redemption and w...

"The Hebrew Lips" is a poem reflecting on the tension within Jews between the harshness of biblical texts and the reverence for human life inherent in the He...

In a response to Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's opposition to forced conscription of yeshiva students, Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot discusses his son, Amita...

In a series of discussions on anti-Judaism using various texts, the unique characteristics and historical roots of hatred towards Jews were explored. The key...

Judaism's beliefs about the afterlife are diverse and not extensively discussed, despite classical Jewish sources refuting the misconception that Judaism lac...

The article explores the impact of affluence on mental health within Orthodox Jewish communities, highlighting the pursuit of material success and social com...

Attachment styles, which stem from early childhood interactions with primary caregivers, influence how we engage in relationships. These styles can impact no...

Child mental health is a crucial issue that requires attention and understanding from parents. Statistics show that a significant percentage of children expe...

The article discusses the distinction between seeking guidance from a rabbi or a therapist in the Jewish community. It emphasizes that rabbis and therapists ...