18 Questions, 40 Mystics is a new podcast and video series by 18Forty and Share interviewing the leading rabbis, teachers, kabbalists, and artists immersed in the world of Jewish mysticism.
Join Rabbi Benji Levy as he asks 18 of the most existential questions to 40 mystics from around the world. If you are looking to dive into the world of spirituality, inspiration, and pnimiyut, then this is the podcast for you.
Have questions or comments? Shoot us an email at info@18forty.org.
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum: 'I am scared that in 20 years, Israel will be isolated completely'
Jun 09, 2025
Show notes
Hamas has isolated Israel diplomatically. Fleur Hassan-Nahoum is scared that, in 20 years, it might be completely isolated. Fleur is a British-born Israeli politician who served as Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem from 2018 until 2024, and she recently joined the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy as a senior fellow and sits on the international advisory council. A seasoned politician still involved in Jerusalem affairs today, Fleur studied law at Kings College nearly three decades ago, and worked as a lawyer and nonprofit official before joining politics. Now, she joins us to answer 18 question on Israel, including Hasbara, Israel's international isolation, and how the Jewish state will survive this media firestorm. This interview was held on May 26.
Malka Simkovich: When Did The Jewish Diaspora Begin? (18Forty Podcast Re-Release)
May 26, 2025
Show notes
While we await next week's new episode, we invite you to revisit our (third) 18Forty Podcast conversation with Malka Simkovich, originally aired on November 19, 2024. 18Forty is celebrating its fifth year LIVE in NYC on June 9. Reserve your seats today! In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Malka Simkovich—a scholar of Jewish history, the editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society, and a three-time 18Forty guest—about previous Jewish diasporas. We tend to think of “Israel-diaspora relations” as a modern phenomenon. But, as Dr. Simkovich reminds us, that situation existed well over 2,000 years ago, when some Jews returned to the Land of Israel following the Babylonian exile while others remained abroad. In this episode we discuss:
What are the differences between the notions of golah, diaspora, and galut?
Did ancient diaspora Jews have a political equivalent to “supporting Israel”?
How should Jews live when in a partial state of exile?
Elli Fischer: 'The Torah ideal is for Israel to be a religious state'
May 19, 2025
Show notes
The Torah wants Israel to be a religious state, Rabbi Elli Fischer says. Just, maybe, not right now. A historian, writer, translator, and educator, Elli Fischer extensively explores the relationship between Jewish law and the Jewish state, in the past, present, and future. Elli was a previous guest on 18Forty's Zionism series and a 3-Month Book Journey Leader. A founding editor of The Lehrhaus, Elli was ordained by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate and is working toward a doctorate in Jewish History at Tel Aviv University; his work has appeared far and wide. Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including messianism, democracy, and the future of religion in the Jewish state. This interview was held on May 14.
Yoav Heller: 'Israel will be in existential peril if society continues to fragment'
May 12, 2025
Show notes
Twice in its history, Jewish sovereignty collapsed in the last quarter of its first century. Yoav Heller believes Israel must heed this warning. Chairman of the Wingate Institute and a Holocaust historian, Yoav Heller is also chairman of the Fourth Quarter movement—a grassroots movement seeking to repair Israel's civil divides and secure the Jewish state's future. Yoav has been immersed in Israeli society, previously CEO of the Maoz Network and a founder of the Ynet website. Yoav has also served as an officer in reserves in the Strategic Planning Division. Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including ending the war, bringing the hostages home, and securing Israel's future. This interview was held on May 4.
Mikhael Manekin: 'This is a land of two peoples, and I don't view that as a problem'
May 05, 2025
Show notes
Wishing Arabs would disappear from Israel, Mikhael Manekin says, is a dangerous fantasy. One of the leaders of Israel's Hasmol Haemuni (Faithful Left) movement, Mikhael is a vocal religious activist for equality and peace. He is the director of the Alliance Fellowship program, an Arab-Jewish political network in Israel, and has authored two books, End of Days Ethics, Tradition, and Power in Israel and Sermons from the Abyss. Mikhael was previously the executive director of Breaking the Silence, an Israeli military veterans’ group that seeks "to expose the public to the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories." Now, he joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including peace, the IDF, and ending the war in Gaza. This interview was held on April 28. Here are our 18 questions:
As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
How have your religious views changed since Oct. 7?
What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
Is opposing Zionism ever antisemitic?
Should Israel be a religious state?
If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
Should all Israelis serve in the army?
Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption?
Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict after the war?
Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?
Einat Wilf: 'Jews are never allowed to win, and Arabs are never allowed to lose' (Re-Release)
Apr 28, 2025
Show notes
We return next week with a new episode of 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers. In the meantime, enjoy this earlier interview with Einat Wilf, recorded Nov. 25, 2024. The true enemy in Israel's current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls "Palestinianism." Once part of the Israeli left, Einat Wilf is a popular political thinker on Israel, Zionism, and foreign policy. Her 2020 co-authored book, "The War of Return," outlines what she believes lies at the core of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict: the Palestinian people's "Right of Return" is what makes this conflict unresolvable. Einat served in Israel's Knesset from 2010 to 2013 and now lectures and writes widely on contemporary issues. She is the author of seven books and hosts the "We Should All Be Zionists" podcast. She has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. Now, Einat joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including what Palestinianism is, why Israel's war aims are flawed, and the future of Gaza. Here are our 18 questions:
As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes?
What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?
Is Israel properly handling the Iranian threat?
Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?
Anshel Pfeffer: 'The idea that you'll obliterate Hamas is as realistic as wanting to obliterate Chabad'
Apr 07, 2025
Show notes
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not surprise Anshel Pfeffer over the last 17 months of war—and that's the most disappointing part. A British-born Israeli journalist, Anshel Pfeffer is the Israel correspondent for The Economist and was a longtime senior correspondent and columnist for Haaretz. Pfeffer's 2018 book, Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu, earned widespread and acclaim and praise. He is a central voice for understanding Israel's political and social climate, bringing decades of coverage on the country. Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including war crimes, Hamas' future, and the World Zionist Organization. This interview was held on March 17.
Mosheh Lichtenstein: 'Jewish values don't celebrate might'
Mar 31, 2025
Show notes
Judaism does not value power and might, Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein says—in fact, it abhors it. Co-rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rav Mosheh is a venerated leader in Israel's Religious Zionist world who is unafraid to call out his community's shortfalls. His statements on Israel's religious-political affairs draw ire and praise—a fact-of-life that does not discourage him. Rav Mosheh has been a raam in yeshiva since 1992, and teaches on an array of subjects within Talmud and Jewish thought in Gush Etzion. He is also the eldest son of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein. Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including Religious Zionism, moral failures, and US President Donald Trump. This interview was held on March 11.
Ruby Chen: My Son is Likely a Deceased Hostage. Don't Forget Him in Gaza.
Mar 24, 2025
Show notes
Sgt. Itay Chen was taken captive by Hamas on October 7. The IDF believes he is dead—but his family is still holding out hope. Ever since Itay was declared Missing in Action, Ruby and Chagit Chen—and the Chen family—have tirelessly fought to bring him home. Ruby and Itay are American citizens, so they hoped that would play to their advantage. In March of 2024, the IDF declared that Itay was killed on Oct. 7 and his body is being held by Hamas. Itay’s family has chosen not to sit shiva until his body is returned from the Strip for burial. They are still holding out hope—however slim, or grim—that Itay’s fate is different than the army believes. That he will return home alive. Ruby joins Sruli Fruchter to speak about his family’s reality over the last 500-plus days—fighting for Itay while continuing their lives, working with US administrations, and ensuring he is not forgotten. This interview was held on March 12. #BringItayHome on Social MediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@itaychen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bring_itay_home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561269004170 For more 18Forty: NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/join CALL: (212) 582-1840 EMAIL: info@18forty.org WEBSITE: 18forty.org IG: @18forty X: @18_forty
Jonathan Dekel-Chen: My Son was a Hostage in Gaza for 43 Million Seconds. He Felt Every One.
Mar 17, 2025
Show notes
Sagui Dekel-Chen was held hostage in Gaza for 498 days—or 43 million seconds. He came home on Feb. 15. An American-Israeli citizen who was living in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Sagui left behind a pregnant wife and two daughters when Hamas took him captive in Gaza. Sagui had no idea of their fate—until two days before his release. Jonathan Dekel-Chen, Sagui's father, joins Sruli Fruchter to speak about his tireless advocacy to bring Sagui home, his family's experiences over the last 500 days, and where they go from here. This interview was held on March 10. For more 18Forty: NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/join CALL: (212) 582-1840 EMAIL: info@18forty.org WEBSITE: 18forty.org IG: @18forty X: @18_forty
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