Yishai Fleisher: ‘Israel is not meant to be equal for all — it’s a nation-state’

Yishai Fleisher: ‘Israel is not meant to be equal for all — it’s a nation-state’

Author: 18Forty February 24, 2025 Duration: 1:27:08
Israel should prioritize its Jewish citizens, Yishai Fleisher says, because that's what a nation-state does.
Yishai is the international spokesman for the Jewish community of Hebron, a flashpoint in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a councilman for the Efrat community. His words reach audiences across the world via CNN, Piers Morgan's Uncensored, the New York Times, his own YouTube and podcasts, and more.
A lawyer and rabbi, Yishai served as a paratrooper in the IDF and served in reservist duty during the Israel-Hamas War. 
Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including Jewish rights, the Land of Israel, and whether Israel should be a democracy.
This interview was held on Feb. 17.
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 have your religious views changed since Oct. 7?
  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. Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
  8. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
  9. Should Israel be a religious state?
  10. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
  11. 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?
  12. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
  13. Should all Israelis serve in the army?
  14. Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption?
  15. Is Messianism helpful or harmful to Israel?
  16. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
  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
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…