18 Questions, 40 Mystics

Tonia Chazanow believes everyone deserves to have access to Jewish mysticism because it is a tool through which each person can discover and understand the divinity in their own life and help others find theirs. Tonia Chazanow is a Los Angeles-based writer and poet. Along with teaching weekly Torah classes, she is also the founder and host of the Human and Holy, a podcast that explores Judaism and...

Rabbi Daniel Rowe sees Jewish mysticism as a path to deepen one’s relationship with God. He connects Jewish mysticism to the deeper dimensions of the Torah, viewing it as a unifying principle that integrates various aspects of Judaism such as its commandments and stories.  Formerly the executive director and senior educator at Aish UK, Rabbi Rowe holds a BA in philosophy from University College Lo...

For Rabbanit Shoshana Judelman, mysticism is a lens through which one can see through God’s reality and recognize the divine hand in world events and personal growth. Shoshana Judelman is a passionate educator of Torah and Jewish history. Shoshana serves as the Women’s Mashpia for Congregation Shirat David, is a guide at Yad Vashem and leads inspirational trips for women with JRoots through Europe...

Rabbi David Aaron first encountered Kabbala at the young age of eighteen. Now, kabbalistic thought is a central influence in his life, leading him to strive to see a “ray of godliness” within every person.  Rabbi David Aaron is the Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta and the author of eight books, including Seeing God and The Secret Life of God . He is also a noted teacher and international speaker...

As someone who has always been “anti-rational,” Dr. Ora Wiskind finds a world of deeper connection in Jewish mysticism. In particular, she is drawn to the study of Hasidism as a pathway to integrating spirituality into daily life.  Dr. Ora Wiskind holds a PhD in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is the author of Hasidic Commentary on the Torah , Wisdom of the Heart: Th...

Professor Moshe Idel has always been curious about what he doesn’t know – it’s what drew him to the world of kabbalistic manuscripts, and ultimately it is what led him to become a philosopher of Jewish mysticism.  Moshe Idel is professor emeritus of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University and a Senior Research Fellow at Hartman Institute. His PhD focuses on the thirteenth century kabbalist Abraham Abu...

A lifelong seeker of truth, Dr. Chava Green has always been drawn to exploring the complexities of the world. As a college student she explored different areas of thought, eventually learning more about Judaism and strengthening her Jewish identity. In turn, Chava's journey guided her to the rich tradition of Jewish mysticism. Chava Green is the founder of The Hasidic Feminist Platform. She comple...

Rabbi Shais Taub’s study of mysticism began with a deep dive into the book of Tanya . Now, he believes that mysticism serves as a practical guide for everyday life, one founded in spiritual principles.  Rabbi Shais Taub is a renowned teacher and noted speaker in the field of addiction recovery. He is the author of God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction and the cr...

What does it mean to live a Judaism that fits into our lives? David Bashevkin explores the meeting point of mysticism and modernity.  The founder of 18Forty, Rabbi Dr. David Bashevkin is the director of education at NCSY as well as an instructor at Yeshiva University. He is the author of four books, and has been rejected from many prestigious fellowships and awards. Now, he joins us to answer eigh...

Whether through the lens of Tanach or Maimonides, Rabbi Kook or the Zohar, Rabbanit Shani Taragin believes that the layers of the Torah form a unified language of divine intimacy.  Shani directs and teaches in Israel and worldwide. She currently serves on the advisory committee for the Mizrachi Olami Shalhevet program, as Rosh Beit Midrash for the women in Yeshiva University’s new academic program...

Rabbi Moshe Gersht first encountered the world of Chassidus at the age of twenty, the beginning of what he terms his “spiritual awakening.” From there, he began to dive deep into Jewish mysticism, viewing it as a unified system that shows that there is meaning to reality.  Rabbi Moshe Gersht grew up in Los Angeles and now lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh. He is the author of  It’s All The Same To Me an...

What does it mean to experience God as lived reality? Mrs. Suri Weingot reframes spirituality not as something hidden or elite but as something pulsing through every blade of grass, every Hebrew letter, and every human relationship. Mrs. Suri Weingot is a senior educator in TMM High School and gives classes and lectures to women across the community. She runs a community mentoring program that ena...

In order to study Kabbala, argues Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, one must approach it with humility, holding one’s hands out in the form of a cup as though they are ready to receive.  Rabbi Moshe Weinberger has served as mashpia at Yeshiva University since 2013, and he is the founding rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY. Today, he joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji L...

As a Chabad Hassid, Zevi Slavin’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich traditions of Chassidus and Kabbalah. This upbringing provided him with a unique lens through which he continues to learn, study and connect with others.  Drawing on his background, Slavin created “ Seekers of Unity ,” a Youtube channel dedicated to exploring the philosophy and history of mysticism across diverse tra...

Rabbanit Sarah Yehudit Schneider believes meditation is the entryway to understanding mysticism. She highlights that traditional Kabbala often focuses on mystical realms associated with the masculine, and in her current work she is actively exploring and articulating the Kabbala of the feminine.  Sarah Yehudit Schneider is the founding director of A Still Small Voice, a correspondence school that...

Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld’s entryway into mystical thought began with the writings of Franz Kafka and Albert Camus. Discussing Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Joey is not just a conversation about ancient texts and ideas, but it is a journey into the soul, wherein he describes how mystical principles can transform relationships, heal trauma, and guide us in a modern world.  Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld is a practi...

Join Rabbi Benji Levy as he asks 18 existential questions to 40 mystics from around the world. Series launches Monday, Dec. 8. Visit 40mystics.com to learn more. A partnership between Share and 18Forty.

Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People? We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorite answers and the secret behind the question. Here are our top 5 answers from: 5. Gadi Taub 4. Shani Taragin 3. Rachelle Fraenkel 2. Yossi Klein Halevi 1.  Anshel Pfeffer 18Forty launched its new webs...

Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime? We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorite answers and the secret behind the question. Here are our top 5 answers from: 6. Yakov Nagen 5. Netta Barak Corren 4. Mikhael Manekin 3. Nechumi Yaffe 2. Rula Daood 1. Yoav Hel...

What is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today? We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorite answers and the secret behind the question. Here are our top 5 answers from: 5. Benny Morris 4. Uri Zaki 3. Einat Wilf 2. Yishai Fleisher 1. Michael Oren 18Forty launched its new website! This i...

What has been Israel's greatest success, and greatest mistake, in its war against Hamas? We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorite answers and the secret behind the question. Here are our top 6 answers from: 6. Fleur Hasan-Nahoum 5. Haviv Rettig-Gur 4. Yaakov Katz 3. Michael Melchior 2. Micah Goodman 1....

As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history? We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorite answers and the secret behind the question. Here are our top 5 answers from: 5. Natan Sharansky 4. Netta Barrak Corren 3. Yossi Klein Halevi 2. Rachelle Fraenkel 1. Khitam Abu Ba...

Israel is a heroic country, Michael Oren believes—but he concedes that it is a flawed heroic country. Michael Oren—our 40th Israeli thinker—served as Israeli ambassador to the U.S. from 2009-2013 under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while former U.S. President Barack Obama was in office. A diplomat, writer, historian, veteran, and political thinker, Michael worked extensively in all fields of...

Micah Goodman doesn't think Palestinian-Israeli peace will happen within his lifetime. But he's still a hopeful person. Named by the  Jerusalem Post  as one of the 50 most influential Jews, Micah is a public intellectual, writer, and author whose voice is central to the moral, political, and religious debates raging within Israel. He is the author of several best-selling books — including  The Won...

Talking about the "Haredi community" is a misnomer, Jonathan Rosenblum says, and simplifies its diversity of thought and perspectives. A Yale-trained lawyer turned journalist, Jonathan has been a prolific Haredi columnist for the last few decades. He helped found the English-language Haredi publication Yated Ne’eman,  wrote extensively for The Jewish Observer , and writes weekly for  Mispacha  mag...