Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, Israel

0 Culture Education

Adam Eilath in Tablet · 21 Oct

Yaeli, a young girl with the uncanny ability to remember experiences and events from different times in Jewish history, grapples with her extraordinary gift.

0 Literature Education

Reviews in Brief – Fall 2025

Rabbi Gil Student in Jewish Action · 15 Sep

"Reviews in Brief Fall 2025" features evaluations of three notable Jewish scholarly works.

0 Holidays Culture

Wine Not? The missing holiday whose time has come

Aton Holzer in Lehrhaus · 7 Aug

Aton Holzer explores the minor Jewish festival of the fifteenth of Av, or Tu Be-Av, traditionally overshadowed but with rich historical and theological significance.

0 Politics Communities

Israel's Pending Civil War

Emes Ve-Emunah · 7 Jul

As Israel faces ongoing tensions with Hamas in Gaza, a potentially more divisive issue looms within the country: the societal conflict surrounding military service exemptions for Charedim (ultra-Orthodox Jews).

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

A Debate Between Yitzchak Blau & Itamar Rosensweig: Does Morality Exist Outside of Judaism?

18forty · 24 Jun

Rabbis Itamar Rosenzweig and Yitzchak Blau engage in a lively debate over whether morality exists outside of Judaism, moderated by David Bashevkin.

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Letter and Spirit: Evasion, Avoidance and Workarounds in the Halakhic System

Reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Kurtz in Jewish Action · 24 Jun

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman's book, reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Kurtz, delves into the complex theme of haaramot (circumventions) within the halakhic system, offering a nuanced perspective on workarounds in Jewish law.

0 Jewish Law Communities

David Bashevkin & Malka Simkovich: Can Judaism Survive the AI Revolution? (Fifth Year Anniversary)

18forty · 17 Jun

David Bashevkin and Malka Simkovich delve into the implications of AI on Judaism's future, examining both challenges and opportunities.

0 Politics Culture

And Now They're Calling Us "Antisemites"

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism · 10 Jun

Natan Slifkin discusses recent tensions between the charedi community and broader Israeli society, particularly focusing on accusations of antisemitism.

0 Philosophy History

Yom Yerushalayim: On Not Yet, Always Already, and the [Im]possibility of Crossing Over

Aton Holzer in Lehrhaus · 26 May

Aton Holzer's essay explores the complex relationship between Jewish spirituality, Zionism, and the continuous longing for Eretz Yisrael.

0 History Culture

Malka Simkovich: When Did The Jewish Diaspora Begin? (18Forty Podcast Re-Release)

18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers · 26 May

Malka Simkovich explores the origins of the Jewish Diaspora by tracing its beginnings following the Babylonian exile and discussing its theological implications.

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Should Diaspora Jews be buried in Israel? A rabbi responds

Rabbi Daniel Cohen in Forward · 11 May

Rabbi Daniel Cohen reflects on the profound decision of whether Diaspora Jews should be buried in Israel.

0 Leadership Communities

Humble Nobility

Rabbi Eliezer Brand in Ami · 8 Apr

The article offers an intimate glimpse into the life and leadership of the Rebbe of Machnovka-Belz, Rav Yehoshua Rokeach, in Bnei Brak.

0 Communities Politics

Despite war and political turmoil, Israel is the 8th happiest country on earth. I think I know why

Rob Eshman in Forward · 21 Mar

Israel's surprisingly high ranking on the 2025 World Happiness Report, despite political turmoil and ongoing conflict, raises questions about the sources of national contentment.

0 Politics Communities

Zionism as a Method of Diversity

Sapir · 1 Mar

Israeli President Isaac Herzog reflects on the complex and evolving nature of Israeli society, underscoring the country's dynamic diversity as both a challenge and a source of strength.

0 Politics Israel

Israelis respond to Trump’s Gaza takeover with shock, dismay, elation and dark humor

Deborah Danan in Forward · 6 Feb

The recent declaration by U.S. President Donald Trump to have all Palestinians leave Gaza and for the U.S. to assume control triggered a mixed response in Israel, ranging from elation to disbelief.

0 Communities Culture

Shayna Goldberg: Inside Israel’s Religious Zionist Community (18Forty Podcast Re-Release)

18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers · 13 Jan

Shayna Goldberg discusses the distinct features and evolving dynamics within Israel's Religious Zionist community, highlighting the differences between Israeli and American religious life.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

12/14/24 – Shiur 493 – What it Takes to release an Agunah | Presidential Pardon – Pardons in Halacha – The Torah approach to pardons

Halacha Headlines · 12 Dec 2024

The episode delves into the challenges and legal intricacies of releasing an Agunah, featuring fascinating cases from Jewish law and biblical narratives about pardons.

0 Communities Culture

Yehuda and Ilana Turetsky: Why Would an American Rabbinic Couple Move to Israel? [Israel & Diaspora 4/5]

18forty · 3 Dec 2024

Rabbi Yehuda and Dr. Ilana Turetsky share insights from their life in Israel, highlighting cultural and religious differences between Israeli and North American Orthodox communities.

0 Politics Communities

Bibi's House of Cards - with Rivka Ravitz

Unholy: Two Jews on the News · 21 Jun 2024

Tensions within Israel's ruling coalition and between Prime Minister Netanyahu and both the White House and IDF are explored, questioning the government's stability.

0 Politics Communities

Bibi's House of Cards - with Rivka Ravitz

Unholy: Two Jews on the News · 21 Jun 2024

Yonit and Jonathan explore the tumultuous state of Israeli politics amidst rifts within Netanyahu's coalition and growing tensions with the military and the U.S. Rivka Ravitz provides an in-depth perspective on the Haredi community's religious reasons for military service exemption and analyzes potential impacts on Israeli society.

JL;DR

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