What is the Purpose of Judaism? Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin Has The Answer… And It’s Not What You Think!

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Jonah Platt

Faith And Spirituality, Cultural Exploration, Religion & Spirituality, Jewish Experience, Faith Conversations, Jewish Heritage, Society & Culture, Jonah Platt, Non-jewish Allies, Jewish Identity, Being Jewish, Diversity Of Judaism, Jewish Culture, Personal Journeys, Jewish Athletes, Celebrity Interviews, Art And Judaism Sports, Judaism, Jewish Food And Politics

4.9 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 18 September 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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What does it mean to reclaim Judaism not in the synagogue — but at the family table? That’s the vision of Rabbi David Bashevkin, author, podcaster, educator and one of today’s most engaging Modern Orthodox voices. In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Rabbi Bashevkin to explore how Judaism can speak authentically to modern life and why Jewish identity is ultimately about integrating our “unchosen” identities with the “chosen” ones.

Rabbi Bashevkin shares:

Why Jewish life must begin in the home, not in synagogues or textbooks
How Judaism helps us integrate our unchosen identity (family, history, peoplehood) with our chosen paths in life
The importance of 1840 — a mystical year that reshaped Jewish thought, technology, and modern identity
Why Jewish education must instill a love of lifelong learning– not just through graduation
The urgent need for bridge-building within the Jewish community — and how to turn religious difference into dialogue
Why teens crave authenticity, and how NCSY empowers them through peer-to-peer mentorship
The challenge of negative Orthodox representation in the media — and why Judaism is meant for the imperfect among us

Rabbi Bashevkin’s work through his platform 18Forty (essays, podcasts, and conversations at 1840.org) opens the door for “post-institutional Jews” and anyone searching for meaning beyond the classroom. Listen to this episode to find out why Judaism isn’t just about survival or fighting antisemitism — it’s about rediscovering purpose, family, and the sanctity of everyday existence.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo' Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson. Editor: Jacob Kindberg and Kevin Maynard; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

Transcript

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0:00.0	Shalom, Kavarim, Banot, and welcome to another very special episode of the world's number one Jewish podcast.
0:08.1	I have to ask for a small favor.
0:10.4	As an independent show, we don't have a massive marketing machine behind us.
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0:30.0	written review. I love seeing all of your thoughtful and generous feedback. Some of it has even
0:35.0	made it onto the show and may again. And as of this recording,
0:38.7	we are just eight ratings away from hitting 500 on Apple. Crossing that threshold would be a huge
0:44.3	milestone for us. It's a small mitzvah on your part, but it really is the fuel that allows us to
0:50.0	keep these amazing conversations going. So thank you in advance. Unless you don't leave a rating,
0:56.0	in which case you're a butt head.
0:58.0	Jewish institutions are like big ocean liners. They don't have the dexterity that modern conversation
1:04.0	has.
1:05.0	We need more bridge building within the Jewish community.
1:08.0	Big time. There's not a Jew in the world that doesn't have some class of Jews that bothers them.
1:12.4	In the Jewish world, there was something even more interesting happening, and that is...
1:18.6	Welcome back to being Jewish with Jonah Platt, 30 Minut Mention.
1:22.9	Same vibe, same tribe, shorter episodes.
1:26.2	My guest today is a Jewish educator, thinker, writer, and communicator,
1:31.2	working at the crossroads of Jewish tradition, accessibility, inclusivity, and self-reflection.
1:37.8	Whenever I ask folks which modern Orthodox voices I should have on the show, this dude is always
	...

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