Daniel Rowe: 'It's very easy to either idolatrize God or just misuse mystical teachings'

Daniel Rowe: 'It's very easy to either idolatrize God or just misuse mystical teachings'

Author: 18Forty March 16, 2026 Duration: 1:01:56
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 London and an MPhil from Birkbeck College. He recently moved to Jerusalem to assume the role of senior lecturer at Aish Global.

Rabbi Rowe does not consider himself a great expert in Jewish mysticism. Nevertheless, he sits down with us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including the inner dimensions of the Torah and how one can connect with the divine 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?

What does it mean to live a meaningful life? How do we navigate doubt, find purpose, or understand suffering? 18 Questions, 40 Mystics explores these profound human inquiries through a distinctly Jewish mystical lens. Hosted by Rabbi Benji Levy, this series from 18Forty engages in deep, personal conversations with a diverse global community of thinkers-including rabbis, kabbalists, artists, and teachers-each deeply immersed in mystical tradition. The format is elegantly simple yet expansive: eighteen core existential questions posed to forty different voices, yielding a rich tapestry of perspectives drawn from ancient wisdom and contemporary experience. Listeners will encounter discussions that weave together spirituality, daily practice, and the inner dimensions of faith known as pnimiyut. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about the practical and soulful insights that arise when earnest questioning meets lived spiritual knowledge. Whether you're well-versed in Jewish texts or simply curious about the intersection of mysticism and modern life, each episode offers a unique point of reflection and inspiration. The conversations are intimate and revealing, designed not to provide monolithic answers but to illuminate the many paths toward understanding. Tune in for a journey that is as much about the questions we all share as it is about the diverse, thoughtful responses from those who have dedicated their lives to contemplation. This podcast serves as a rare gateway into the minds and hearts of today's leading mystical practitioners.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 74

18 Questions, 40 Mystics
Podcast Episodes
Uri Zaki: 'The war has to end in Gaza' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:07
Uri Zaki supported Israel's war against Hamas from the getgo—but the killing of six hostages and Sinwar's assassination were a turning point. Now, he thinks it needs to end.Uri Zaki is a left-wing political thinker and a…
Lahav Harkov: 'We are winning' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:22
Israel's multi-front war changes by the day—but Lahav Harkov thinks Israel is winning.A long-time journalist covering Israel's domestic and international affairs, Lahav speaks with an insider's investigation and knowledg…
Rivka Ravitz: 'Being separated is at the core of being Haredi' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:30
Rivka Ravitz may be a long-time Haredi political thinker, but that doesn't mean she thinks politics is always the answer.Since her father-in-law first employed her in the Knesset at age 18, Rivka has spend decades workin…
David Stav: 'Israel as a state should not be a religious state' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:59
Israel should not be a religious state, Rabbi David Stav says, and then its citizens could more freely welcome religion into their lives.The Chief Rabbi of Shoham, an Israeli town with a large secular populace, Rabbi Sta…