Einat Wilf: 'Jews are never allowed to win, and Arabs are never allowed to lose'

Einat Wilf: 'Jews are never allowed to win, and Arabs are never allowed to lose'

Author: 18Forty December 2, 2024 Duration: 1:22:51
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.
This interview was held on Nov. 25.
Here are our 18 questions:
  1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
  2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
  3. How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes?
  4.  What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
  5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
  6. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
  7. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
  8. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
  9. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
  10. Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
  11. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
  12. 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?
  13. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
  14. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
  15. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?
  16. Is Israel properly handling the Iranian threat?
  17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
  18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

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
Shlomo Katz: 'Today's idol worship is self-persecution' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
To Rabbi Shlomo Katz, the song of Torah is the most natural gateway into Jewish mysticism. A spiritual disciple of Shlomo Carlebach, Rabbi Shlomo believes that our greatest challenge today is that we lack the courage to…
Tonia Chazanow: 'Every soul has a story' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:31
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 Cha…
Ora Wiskind: 'The presence of God is everywhere in every molecule' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
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 d…
Moshe Idel: ‘The Jews are supposed to serve something’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:18
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 I…
Shais Taub: ‘God gave us an ego to protect us’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:28
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…