18forty
How God Taught a Broken People to Hope Again
15 Jan
Reuven Taragin discusses how God revitalized hope amongst the ancient Israelites through the use of the Tetragrammaton, emphasizing God's reliability and end...
15 Jan
18forty
How Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe Saw the Jewish People
15 Jan
Yosef Bronstein's article explores how Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe perceive the relationship between the Jewish People and the Torah. Both leaders emp...
15 Jan
18forty
5 Ways a Heart Hardens: When Choice Becomes Destiny
15 Jan
18Forty's Parsha Guide delves into Parshat Vaera, focusing on Pharaoh's hardened heart and its implications for free will and determinism. Initially, Pharaoh...
15 Jan
18forty
Will I Survive the Winter?
11 Jan
As winter looms, Arty Cweiber expresses a struggle with finding enthusiasm during the season and grapples with the creative slowdown it brings. Revisiting Ri...
11 Jan
18forty
Why Hatred Follows the Jewish People—and What It Means
8 Jan
Exploring the persistent presence of antisemitism through the lens of Jewish history and theology, Shmuel Phillips articulates how this phenomenon aligns wit...
8 Jan
18forty
Stranger in a Strange Land: 5 Lessons on Identity from Egypt
7 Jan
The article from 18Forty explores five lessons on identity from the Book of Exodus, highlighting the timeless struggle of Jewish communities in the diaspora ...
7 Jan
18forty
20 Books Our Guests Want You to Read
5 Jan
In a year filled with profound discussions, I Read This Over Shabbos, a newsletter by Rivka Bennun Kay, curated a list of 20 books recommended by diverse gue...
5 Jan
18forty
The New Tower of Babel
5 Jan
Max Hollander reflects on the parallels between today's integration of AI into society and the biblical narrative of the Tower of Babel, interpreting AI as a...
5 Jan
18forty
5 Ways Yaakov’s Final Words Teach Us to Leave a Lasting Legacy
1 Jan
The article explores the enduring lessons from Yaakov's final words in Parashat Vayechi, focusing on the concept of leaving a legacy. Highlighting five key s...
1 Jan
18forty
5 Ways Vayigash Rewrites Jewish Life in Diaspora
24 Dec 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's analysis of Parshat Vayigash reflects on the enduring relevance of Jewish life in the diaspora, using the biblical narrative of Yaakov's m...
24 Dec 2025
18forty
My Tzitzis Fill Me With Jewish Pride—Here’s Why
23 Dec 2025
Dovid Campbell reflects on the significance of tzitzis, illustrating how this Jewish garment balances Jewish particularism and universal values. Drawing from...
23 Dec 2025
18forty
How Does Halacha View Non-Jewish Holidays?
22 Dec 2025
The article explores how Jewish law (halacha) navigates the complexities of responding to non-Jewish holidays, particularly those that have evolved from reli...
22 Dec 2025
18forty
What My Favorite Chanukah Story Teaches Us About Spiritual Transformation
21 Dec 2025
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, a beloved Chanukah story by Eric Kimmel, holds lessons about overcoming darkness and channeling personal struggles into sou...
21 Dec 2025
18forty
What is Judaism’s Stance on Dreams?
18 Dec 2025
Exploring the Jewish perspective on dreams, the article delves into Talmudic views and medieval rabbinic interpretations, particularly how some rabbis used d...
18 Dec 2025
18forty
5 Perspectives on Finding God in the Chaos
17 Dec 2025
Exploring Parshat Miketz, 18Forty presents five insightful perspectives on finding God amid chaos. The narrative of Yosef, who rises from prison to power in ...
17 Dec 2025
18forty
What the 18Forty Team is Reading This Month
14 Dec 2025
The 18Forty team's latest reading list includes an array of books reflecting diverse themes, perfect for finding inspiration during the Chanukah season. From...
14 Dec 2025
18forty
The Bonds and Betrayals of Brotherhood: From Yosef to the Hasmoneans
11 Dec 2025
Malka Simkovich's article draws parallels between the biblical story of Yosef and the Hasmonean era, emphasizing the themes of brotherhood, betrayal, and for...
11 Dec 2025
18forty
How Did Chanukah Become a Jewish Holiday?
11 Dec 2025
Chanukah, commemorating the Judean Jews' victory over the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE, intriguingly became a universally celebrated Jewish holiday despite its i...
11 Dec 2025
18forty
5 Things Yosef’s Brothers Teach Us About Jealousy in the Age of Comparison
10 Dec 2025
The exploration of Parshat Vayeshev in this piece highlights the dangerous progression of jealousy within familial relationships, as illustrated by Yosef and...
10 Dec 2025
18forty
The Book That’s Also a Rebbe
7 Dec 2025
Yud-Tes Kislev, celebrated on 19 Kislev, marks a pivotal moment for Chassidism and its followers, particularly those affiliated with Chabad. Known as the Ros...
7 Dec 2025
18forty
What Does It Mean to Limp Toward the Promised Land?
4 Dec 2025
Moshe Koppel's analysis of the biblical story of Yaakov wrestling with a mysterious figure in Parshat Vayishlach is positioned as a metaphor for the Jewish j...
4 Dec 2025
18forty
5 Things Vayishlach Teaches About Faith After the Holocaust
3 Dec 2025
Parshat Vayishlach's narrative of Yaakov wrestling with a mysterious figure takes on profound significance when reflected upon in the context of post-Holocau...
3 Dec 2025
18forty
How My Favorite Book Brought Me Closer to My Family This Thanksgiving
1 Dec 2025
Cody Fitzpatrick shares how Stephen Dubner's memoir "Choosing My Religion" has been instrumental in rekindling a connection with his Jewish heritage and fami...
1 Dec 2025
18forty
Of Maariv and Menorahs
27 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay explores the intriguing evolution of the Chanukah menorah and the Maariv prayer, both of which have transitioned from initially voluntary pr...
27 Nov 2025
18forty
How To Navigate Your Family This Thanksgiving
27 Nov 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, Rivka Bennun Kay reflects on the often passionate and ideological debates at her family's dinner table, touching on topics like p...
27 Nov 2025
18forty
5 Things Vayetzei Teaches About God Meeting Us When We’re Broken
26 Nov 2025
The content delves into the weekly parsha Vayetzei, where Yaakov's journey amidst psychological distress illustrates divine encounter through crisis. Struggl...
26 Nov 2025
18forty
The Best Book to Understand Empathy
24 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's article explores the concept of empathy through the lens of Leslie Jamison's book "The Empathy Exams." Kay contrasts Brene Brown's popular...
24 Nov 2025
18forty
In an Age of Deepfakes, the Torah Reminds Us How Truth is Verified
21 Nov 2025
In the face of emerging technologies like AI-generated deepfakes, Rivka Bennun Kay explores how the Torah's ancient skepticism towards visual evidence offers...
21 Nov 2025
18forty
Yaakov, Esav, and the Paradox of Money and Wealth
20 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay explores the complex relationship between selfhood, wealth, and spiritual growth using insights from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and the charac...
20 Nov 2025
18forty
5 Things Toldot Teaches About Repeating—and Repairing—Family Cycles
19 Nov 2025
Parshat Toldot offers a compelling exploration of recurring family dynamics, highlighting how patterns of behavior, such as deception and favoritism, perpetu...
19 Nov 2025
18forty
5 Ways You Can Use AI in Jewish Life
18 Nov 2025
AI is emerging as a transformative tool in Jewish life, offering novel applications while posing potential challenges to tradition. Key uses include translat...
18 Nov 2025
18forty
What to Read If You’re Thinking About AI, the Soul, and the Future
17 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's recommendations in "What to Read If You're Thinking About AI, the Soul, and the Future" offer a multidimensional exploration of consciousn...
17 Nov 2025
18forty
AI Knows You Better Than You Think. That’s a Problem
13 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's article discusses how the Forer Effect, originally identified in psychology experiments, is mirrored in the way people interact with AI te...
13 Nov 2025
18forty
5 Things Chayei Sarah Teaches About Love That Lasts
12 Nov 2025
Parshat Chayei Sarah reveals timeless insights into lasting love, contrasting today's romantic pursuits with intentional, value-driven matchmaking. The parsh...
12 Nov 2025
18forty
What Religious Zionists Taught Me About Reading Tanach as a Living Story
11 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay reflects on the unique educational messages within Israel's Religious Zionist community, particularly their engagement with Tanach as a livi...
11 Nov 2025
18forty
Five Years Since Passing, Rabbi Sacks Still Speaks to Our Fractured World
10 Nov 2025
Five years after his passing, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks continues to provide profound guidance for a fractured world, particularly in Israel. Known for his i...
10 Nov 2025
18forty
Why I Keep Reading Amos Oz
9 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay reflects on her enduring engagement with Israeli author Amos Oz's works, detailing her personal journey and evolving understanding through h...
9 Nov 2025
18forty
5 Things Vayera Teaches Us About Moral Courage
5 Nov 2025
Parshat Vayera presents profound lessons on moral courage, exploring themes of advocacy, resilience, and ethical challenge. Rivka Bennun Kay discusses Avraha...
5 Nov 2025
18forty
13 Books You Should Read This Fall
2 Nov 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's curation from "I Read This Over Shabbos" offers an eclectic list of 13 books to dive into this autumn. Reflecting the diverse interests of...
2 Nov 2025
18forty
What Star Trek and Genesis Teach Us About Consciousness
30 Oct 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay explores the intersection of consciousness, AI, and spirituality, contemplating what defines human uniqueness in an age of advanced artifici...
30 Oct 2025
18forty
5 Things Lech Lecha Teaches About Spiritual Seeking
29 Oct 2025
Lech Lecha is a foundational Torah portion that offers profound insights into spiritual seeking, centering on Avraham's journey from Haran to the unknown. Th...
29 Oct 2025
18forty
What the 18Forty Team is Reading After the Holidays
26 Oct 2025
After Sukkot in Israel, known as acharei hachagim, life resumes its routine, shedding the festive chaos for the calming consistency of daily patterns. To eas...
26 Oct 2025
18forty
5 Things Noach Teaches About the Psychology of Starting Over
23 Oct 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's article examines the biblical narrative of Noach (Noah) as a study in the psychology of starting over, particularly after trauma. After th...
23 Oct 2025
18forty
The Case for Reading the Parsha Twice Each Week
19 Oct 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's article explores the practice of Shnayim Mikra, the tradition of reading the weekly Torah portion twice along with the translation once, h...
19 Oct 2025
18forty
The Mind of God and the Order of the Cosmos
17 Oct 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay's article engages with the intersection of science and Torah by exploring the opening chapter of the Torah in light of contemporary scientif...
17 Oct 2025
18forty
After October 7, Motherhood Taught Me Radical Hope
6 Oct 2025
Following the tragic events of October 7, Rivka Bennun Kay reflects on her experience of becoming a mother again, framing it as an act of radical hope in a w...
6 Oct 2025
18forty
What I’m Reading in the Sukkah This Year
6 Oct 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay shares her reading list for Sukkot, emphasizing how this festival provides an opportunity for reflection and recharging. Her picks include "...
6 Oct 2025
18forty
AI Has No Soul—So Why Did I Bare Mine?
5 Oct 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay recounts her experiment with ChatGPT, exploring the dynamic of interacting with a soulless AI that helps mirror and refine her thoughts and ...
5 Oct 2025
18forty
Three Jewish Ways To Fight (Your) Demons
1 Oct 2025
The article by Rivka Bennun Kay explores Jewish historical and textual approaches to confronting personal and communal challenges, metaphorically framed as "...
1 Oct 2025
18forty
Me and My Homeless Prayers
29 Sep 2025
Rivka Bennun Kay reflects on her experience of navigating different prayer traditions as a Sephardic Jew in predominantly Ashkenazi settings. Growing accusto...
29 Sep 2025