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18 Questions, 40 Mystics: Daily Summaries Delivered
by 18Forty
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.
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- Yesterday26 min
Manis Friedman: 'We can't remain strangers to God'
To Rabbi Manis Friedman, mysticism provides an intimate view of Torah and our relationship with God. He understands our relationship with God through the lens of a human relationship, one where behavior is more important than intention and where the relationship is not self-serving. Only then can we have a meaningful relationship with God. Rabbi Manis Friedman is an author, counselor, lecturer, and philosopher. He is the founder and dean of Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies in Minnesota, and he spent six years serving as the simultaneous translator for the Lubavitcher Rabbi’s televised talks.Now, he sits down with us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the nature of daily prayer, dealing with the challenge of ignorance, and the evolution of mystical teachings. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism?How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?What do you think of when you think of God?What is the purpose of the Jewish people?How does prayer work?What is the goal of Torah study?Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?Should Judaism be hard or easy?Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will?What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?Can mysticism be dangerous?How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?
- 1 weeks ago1h 15m
Yaakov Klein: 'Prayer is an answer in and of itself'
In this conversation, Rabbi Yaakov Klein argues that halacha [Jewish Law] and mysticism are two sides of the same coin. He stresses the importance of understanding the interplay between the two, as the purpose of Judaism is striving to unite both the “body” and “soul” of the Torah. Rabbi Klein lives in London and is the director of Eilecha, an organization focused on creating opportunities for spiritual growth and experiential education. He is the author of The Story of Our Lives, Sunlight of Redemption, and Sparks From Berditchov. Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including how Torah is the soul of God, Jewish particularism serves a universal purpose, and how personal identity informs the way you view the world. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism?How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?What do you think of when you think of God?What is the purpose of the Jewish people?How does prayer work?What is the goal of Torah study?Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?Should Judaism be hard or easy?Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will?What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?Can mysticism be dangerous?How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?
- 2 weeks ago40 min
Shmuel Ozhekh: 'The greatest blockage to a person's spirituality is their own mind'
Rabbi Shmuel Ozhekh first encountered Jewish mysticism as a teenager at an outreach camp, where a class on angels sparked a sense of purpose and opened a lifelong spiritual path for him. In this conversation he stresses that Jewish mysticism is for everyone – not only for the religiously observant – and that accessing these teachings can enhance one’s inner life, relationships, and sense of purpose.Originally from Australia, Rabbi Ozhekh is the rabbi of the Ohr Somayach community in Cape Town, South Africa. He is the founder of the Rejewvenate Young Professional outreach movement and co-creator of EDEN, the first Jewish meditation app of its kind. Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including viewing prayer as a point of connection and how misperception is a hindrance to living a more spiritual life. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism?How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?What do you think of when you think of God?What is the purpose of the Jewish people?How does prayer work?What is the goal of Torah study?Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?Should Judaism be hard or easy?Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will?What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?Can mysticism be dangerous?How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?
- 3 weeks ago25 min
Ricka Razel: 'You want to be happy? Say thank you'
Ricka Razel did not grow up religious; she grew up a musician in a famous Israeli family band. Nowadays, she still sings, though she is an observant mother of eight. Jewish mysticism has been the bridge between music and religiosity, revealing to her the hidden workings of the world. Ricka Razel is a mother, musician, restaurateur, and a mystic. She performs for female audiences in Israel, and her music can be found on various streaming platforms.Now, she sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism including how gratitude can improve our existence, the role of men and women, and the difference between happiness and simcha.
- 4 weeks ago56 min
Meir Sendor: 'God is manifest in plain sight'
For Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor, mysticism is fundamentally the “direct experience of divine reality.” His profound engagement with Jewish mysticism, he shares, was initially sparked by a series of personal “enlightened experiences,” transformative moments that prompted him to delve deeply into the rich heritage of Jewish mystical traditions.Rabbi Sendor is the rabbi emeritus at Young Israel of Sharon, MA and the director of Tal Orot, the center for Jewish contemplative practices. A distinguished scholar, he received his doctorate in medieval Jewish history from Harvard University.Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including how prayer is indicative of our closeness with God, the flexibility of human will, and the dangers of a mystic becoming self-absorbed. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism?How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?What do you think of when you think of God?What is the purpose of the Jewish people?How does prayer work?What is the goal of Torah study?Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?Should Judaism be hard or easy?Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will?What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?Can mysticism be dangerous?How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?
- Oct 5, 202641 min
Shmuel Braun: 'When it comes to God, I'm the object and God is the subject'
Rabbi Shmuel Braun draws an important distinction between the terms mysticism and Pnimiyut HaTorah [inner dimensions of Torah]. While mysticism is about having an experience of the divine that is not part of the rational world, Pnimiyut HaTorah is about experiencing God in our regular, mundane lives. Rabbi Shmuel Braun is a teacher, lecturer, and mentor. He studied for many years at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and at the Brisk Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He is the founding rabbi of Congregation Lev Le’Daas in Teaneck, New Jersey. Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the importance of being fully present in spiritual experiences and the limited nature of free will.Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism?How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?What do you think of when you think of God?What is the purpose of the Jewish people?How does prayer work?What is the goal of Torah study?Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?Should Judaism be hard or easy?Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will?What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?Can mysticism be dangerous?How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?
- Sep 14, 202633 min
Gedale Fenster: 'Focus on the message, you won't stay in the mess'
For Gedale Fenster, Jewish Mysticism is not a retreat from reality but the "expanded consciousness" needed to see that “the problem is the solution.”Gedale Fenster is an internationally renowned motivational speaker, spiritual leader, life coach, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is well known in the field of personal development. His teachings are firmly rooted in spirituality and the belief that problems are truly blessings in disguise. Now he sits down with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy to discuss eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism including how to unpack the transformative power of mysticism for success and how to live a life of unshakeable faith and joy. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism?How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?What do you think of when you think of God?What is the purpose of the Jewish people?How does prayer work?What is the goal of Torah study?Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?Should Judaism be hard or easy?Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will?What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?Can mysticism be dangerous?How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?
- Sep 7, 202637 min
Victoria Hanna: 'The riddle is a part of our existence'
Victoria Hanna sees tremendous power in riddles. In many ways, she argues, questions are more important than answers. The Israeli musician uses sounds and letters to understand God and the world, believing in the power of the “limitless within the limits.” Victoria Hanna is a multidisciplinary singer, artist, and musician. Her first single, “Aleph Bet,” went viral in 2015, garnering over two million views, and her music has been described as kabbalistic rap.Now, she joins us to answer eighteen questions on Jewish mysticism with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy including the connection between the Hebrew letters and the parts of the body and how the human body can be a place for divine revelation. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism?How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism?In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics?What do you think of when you think of God?What is the purpose of the Jewish people?How does prayer work?What is the goal of Torah study?Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same?Should Judaism be hard or easy?Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will?What do you think of when you think about Moshiach?Is the State of Israel part of the final redemption?What is the greatest challenge facing the world today?How has modernity changed Jewish mysticism?What differentiates Jewish mysticism from the mysticism of other religions? Does one need to be religious to study Jewish mysticism?Can mysticism be dangerous?How has Jewish mysticism affected your relationships with yourself and with others?What is a Jewish teaching that you always take with you?
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About 18 Questions, 40 Mystics
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.
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