Daily Podcasts Video Research
18forty The Torah of Exposure 15 Apr
Exploring Parshat Tazria-Metzora, this article delves into the interplay between physical and spiritual aspects as highlighted by Torah teachings. It emphasi...
15 Apr
18forty Learning to Farbreng with Rabbi Steinsaltz 12 Apr
Celebrating Jewish community and spiritual growth, the article shares experiences of a meaningful farbrengen, guided by the teachings of Rabbi Adin Even-Isra...
12 Apr
18forty Why God Cares What You Eat (And Why That’s Not the Point) 10 Apr
Kashrut, beyond its dietary laws, represents a profound and multi-layered practice that engages Jews in a holistic approach to holiness, discipline, and iden...
10 Apr
18forty How the Damascus Affair Created Modern Jewish Solidarity 30 Mar
In 1840, the disappearance of an Italian friar in Damascus led to one of the most infamous blood libels, igniting widespread terror among Jewish communities ...
30 Mar
18forty What We’re Reading This Pesach 30 Mar
Facing a unique Pesach amid global uncertainty and persisting antisemitism, Rivka Bennun Kay highlights the grounding power of books in her reading recommend...
30 Mar
18forty Tzav: The Uneasy Economics of Holiness 25 Mar
Parshat Tzav delves into the uneasy marriage of economics and holiness by expanding on the Torah's guidance regarding the sustenance of Kohanim. It explores ...
25 Mar
18forty A History of Jewish Belonging 19 Mar
Moshe Taragin's article explores the multifaceted nature of Jewish communal identity through the concept of belonging, addressed via three distinct entities—...
19 Mar
18forty Vayikra and the Shape of Sacrifice 19 Mar
This 18Forty Parsha Guide delves into the sacrificial system in Vayikra, examining the deep human and theological underpinnings of these ancient rituals. The...
19 Mar
18forty How to Read During a War 15 Mar
"How to Read During a War" by Rivka Bennun Kay explores the challenge of maintaining intellectual engagement and reading habits amidst the chaos and anxiety ...
15 Mar
18forty On a Torah Perspective of Art 12 Mar
Aharon Schrieber discusses the role of art in Jewish tradition, using the biblical figure Bezalel as an example of how Jewish craftsmen were endowed with cha...
12 Mar
18forty Rising from the Ashes: Pekudei and the Rebuilding of Jewish Sacred Space 12 Mar
Shani Taragin explores the historical and spiritual significance of rebuilding Jewish sacred spaces, linking the completion of the Mishkan in Parshat Pekudei...
12 Mar
18forty Pekudei: The Completed Work 11 Mar
Rivka Bennun Kay's commentary on Parshat Pekudei in the 18Forty Parsha Guide explores the concept of completion through the lens of the Tabernacle's construc...
11 Mar
18forty 5 Lessons on the Discipline of “Enough” 11 Mar
In Parshat Vayakhel, the Israelites face an unexpected directive from Moshe to stop their contributions to the Mishkan once enough has been collected, highli...
11 Mar
18forty 10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Books 8 Mar
Arty Cweiber discusses strategies for getting more out of your reading experiences, emphasizing enjoyment, understanding, and retention. Instead of succumbin...
8 Mar
18forty Ki Tisa: The Limits of Seeing God’s Face 5 Mar
In the Parsha Ki Tisa, the narrative of Moshe's encounter with God explores the human desire for certainty and the limits of divine comprehension. Moshe's pl...
5 Mar
18forty The American Yeshiva World: A Reading Guide 3 Mar
Rivka Bennun Kay presents "The American Yeshiva World: A Reading Guide," a curated list of book recommendations exploring the history, culture, and philosoph...
3 Mar
18forty A Jew in the King’s Court: Dual Loyalty in the Book of Esther 2 Mar
Tova Ganzel explores the theme of dual loyalty in the Book of Esther, which is set outside the Land of Israel in the Persian Empire. Unlike other biblical na...
2 Mar
18forty What is the Megillah’s Message for Jews of the Diaspora? 26 Feb
The article delves into contrasting interpretations of the Megillat Esther and its message for Jews living in the Diaspora. Rivka Bennun Kay discusses two pr...
26 Feb
18forty 5 Lessons from the Parsha Where Moshe Disappears 26 Feb
Parshat Tetzaveh holds a unique place in the Torah as the only portion from Exodus through Deuteronomy in which Moshe's name is absent, presenting a lesson i...
26 Feb
18forty How Orthodox Jews Are Sharing Torah Knowledge Across Denominations 23 Feb
Orthodox Jews are actively sharing Torah knowledge with non-Orthodox Jews through programs like Partners Detroit and TorahMates. These initiatives offer stru...
23 Feb
18forty What the 18Forty Team is Reading This Adar 22 Feb
The 18Forty team shares their diverse reading selections for the month of Adar, aligning with the themes of Purim such as faith, courage, and hiddenness. The...
22 Feb
18forty How Generosity Built the Synagogue 19 Feb
Exploring the evolution of Jewish worship from the Mishkan to contemporary synagogues, the article examines how acts of kindness have been a core function of...
19 Feb
18forty How Jewish Communities Can Help Couples Going Through Divorce 18 Feb
Divorce, a significant and growing reality within Jewish communities, remains an under-addressed challenge compared to issues like illness or infertility. Wh...
18 Feb
18forty The Gold, the Wood, and the Heart: 5 Lessons on Beauty in Worship 18 Feb
The Parsha guide from 18Forty explores the intricate details surrounding the Mishkan in Parshat Terumah, examining why these specifications are relevant to m...
18 Feb
18forty Three New Jewish Books to Read 15 Feb
Jewish literature is thriving, as depicted in Rivka Bennun Kay's review of three compelling new books. "Beyond Dispute" by Daniel Taub emphasizes healthy deb...
15 Feb
18forty Why So Many Laws? Mishpatim and the Making of a Moral Society 12 Feb
Keshet Starr's article delves into the Torah portion Mishpatim, exploring the reasons behind its numerous laws and their purpose in creating a just society. ...
12 Feb
18forty The Four Pillars That Actually Shape Jewish High School 12 Feb
Hillel Rapp examines the core values shaping Jewish high school education, emphasizing four pillars: mental wellness, social connection, inspiration, and aca...
12 Feb
18forty 5 Ways the Torah Trains Us to Love Our Enemies 11 Feb
The 18Forty Parsha Guide reflects on how the Torah instructs us to love our enemies through various commandments. In Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah challenges ...
11 Feb
18forty 5 Perspectives on Sinai in an Age of Empiricism 5 Feb
In an age dominated by empirical evidence and scientific validation, the article "5 Perspectives on Sinai in an Age of Empiricism" explores how the revelator...
5 Feb
18forty Holy Pride: From the Sea of Fear to the Frontlines of Faith 29 Jan
Judah Mischel reflects on the legacy of Rabbanit Chana Henkin and her family, especially following the tragic murder of her son and daughter-in-law in a terr...
29 Jan
18forty 5 Ways the Torah Challenges Our Idea of Enough 28 Jan
The weekly 18Forty Parsha Guide delves into the lessons from Parshat Beshalach, focusing on the Torah's challenge to our concept of scarcity and security thr...
28 Jan
18forty The Bibliophile Who Reshaped American Jewry 25 Jan
David Eliezrie's biography, "Undaunted," chronicles the impactful journey of Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, as he challenged prevai...
25 Jan
18forty How Archaeology Rewrote the History of Tefillin 22 Jan
Recent archaeological discoveries have shed light on the ancient practices of wearing tefillin, dating back to the Judean Desert period. Unearthed near Qumra...
22 Jan
18forty 5 Ways to Transmit Tradition to a Skeptical Generation 21 Jan
Transmitting Jewish tradition to skeptical modern audiences involves inviting questions and engaging through actions. Amid the chaos of Parshat Bo, the Torah...
21 Jan
18forty This Might Be What Saves Us from AI 19 Jan
Rivka Bennun Kay, in her reflection on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel "Klara and the Sun," explores the themes of love, loneliness, and what it means to be human in ...
19 Jan
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 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 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 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