Mosheh Lichtenstein: 'Jewish values don't celebrate might'

Mosheh Lichtenstein: 'Jewish values don't celebrate might'

Author: 18Forty March 31, 2025 Duration: 1:12:49
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.

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
Yakov Nagen: 'Jewish Messianism is a vision for all of humanity' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:02
To Rabbi Yakov Nagen, the Jewish-Muslim fraternity will be the major breakthrough of the 21st century.This Religious Zionist rabbi is at the forefront of interfaith dialogue and peace work in Israel between Judaism, Isla…
Benny Morris: 'We should have taken Rafah at the start' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:05
If you want to understand Israel, then you need to know Benny Morris.Prof. Benny Morris is a leading Israeli historian who revolutionized the field of Israeli history by digging into the government’s declassified archive…
Coming Soon: 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34
18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers is a new podcast by 18Forty interviewing Israel's leading voices to explore critical questions on Zionism, the Israel-Hamas War, democracy, morality, Judaism, peace, Israel’s future, and…