For Heaven’s Sake is a weekly podcast presented by Ark Media and the Shalom Hartman Institute, hosted by Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi. The podcast draws its name from the Jewish concept of machloket l’shem shemayim, “disagreeing for the sake of heaven,” which is exactly what takes place each week as Donniel and Yossi discuss the moral aspects of topics affecting Israel, world Jewry, and the future of Zionism.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
We Were Warned About October 7; Why Didn't We Listen?
#3 trending · Judaism
Why did Israel, one of the most sophisticated military and intelligence powers in the world, repeatedly ignore explicit, urgent warnings about an impending national catas
Sep 30 37 min
Israel Votes: And What if it's Deadlocked?
Can a society battered by years of political polarization and existential war survive an election cycle where no political faction can achieve instant victory? As critica
Sep 23 41 min
Naza: When a Film is the News
Can a provocative film transform into an unshakeable weapon in the global battle over Israel's moral legitimacy? In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi d
Sep 16 43 min
Israel Votes: New Year, New Hopes
How can a society deeply divided by electoral deadlock find the collective moral courage to choose democratic renewal over perpetual crisis? In this Rosh Hashanah episode
Sep 9 38 min
Israel's Election: What Do Israelis Really Want?
Why does Israeli political life appear hopelessly frozen at the top even as tectonic shifts stir beneath the surface? In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Hal
Sep 2 42 min
Israel’s Election Season: The Opening Shot (Re-release)
What do four political earthquakes in a single week – as the Knesset is on the brink of dissolving – reveal about the election that will define Israel's future? In this e
Aug 26 40 min
Why are Young Jews Turning Against Israel? - with Yossi Klein Halevi and Sara Labaton
Can the Jewish people hold on to moral tradition in the era of Jewish power? In this special episode—recorded live in the courtyard of the Shalom Hartman Institute's Jeru
Aug 19 44 min
Humanness: From Mensch to Warrior
What happens to our humanity when fear takes hold? In this special summer episode, recorded live in the Beit Midrash of the Shalom Hartman Institute's Jerusalem campus du
Aug 12 57 min
The Post October 7 Jew
How do the Jewish people reclaim our story when our very right to self-defense is under global assault? In this special episode, recorded live at the Shalom Hartman Insti
Aug 5 1 h 19 min
Israel's Elections: Judaism on the Ballot
How does a Jewish state navigate its future when the most fiercely contested issue at the ballot box is the definition of Judaism itself? In this episode, Donniel Hartman
Jul 29 47 min
Iran and My Summer Vacation
What happens to a nation's psyche when the basic need to breathe is blocked by the geopolitical reality of an endless war? In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klei
Jul 22 31 min
Israel's Elections: The Change We Hope For
Is it possible to rebuild a shared national vision when a society remains deeply traumatized and divided over its own moral obligations? In this episode, Donniel Hartman
Jul 16 41 min
Scheduling Note on this Week's Episode: July 15, 2026
Hello For Heaven’s Sake listeners. We are adjusting our publishing schedule this week, and you won’t see an episode in your feed today. Please make sure you are subscribe
Jul 15 1 min
Israel's Election Season: The Opening Shot
What do four political earthquakes in a single week - as the Knesset is on the brink of dissolving -reveal about the election that will define Israel's future? In this ep
Jul 8 39 min
The Haredi Insurrection
Is Israel’s social contract breaking under the weight of the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption? In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi dissect the explosive
Jul 1 43 min
Israeli-American Relations at a Crossroads
What do American Jews owe Israel when their own political and moral worlds feel under threat? In this episode, recorded live from our Beit Midrash in Jerusalem as part of
Jun 26 46 min
Scheduling Note on this Week’s Episode: June 24, 2026
Hello For Heaven’s Sake listeners. We are adjusting our publishing schedule this week, and you won’t see an episode in your feed today because we will be livestreaming ou
Jun 24 1 min
The Sum-of-All-Fears Election
Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Why is Israel’s next election being driven more by fear than hope? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi join Dan Senor to discuss
Jun 15 49 min
As the Missiles Fly and Then Stop
If Israel has successfully degraded the capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah, why do so many Israelis feel less safe today than they did a year ago? In this episode, follo
Jun 10 46 min
When the Israel Day Parade is More Than a Parade
Can American Jews define themselves through love of both Israel and America? In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack a parade transformed by Octobe
Jun 3 31 min
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Chart positions
Where For Heaven's Sake ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 3, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Love the show. Just want to add though about the comment on how diaspora Jews feel about the election. It was commented that American Jews look to Israel to be inspired and want that reflected in Israeli politics. That may be true but I want to add that many of us are seeing the once solid support for Israel withering and the issue has become so politically toxic here. We are in a place of trying to defend Israel while Bibi and the kahanist extremists he empowers make that very difficult. We are tired of having to constantly say (we don’t support the government but…). But it’s more than just making us feel isolated or leading to uncomfortable conversations: International (especially American) support for Israel is a security issue for Israel. And some of it is antisemitism but much of it is based on the decisions that Bibi et al make. We are hopeful that if/when this changes, Israel (and world Jews, not to mention Palestinians and Israeli Arabs) will all be better off.
Mbrosbe · Jun 2026
I absolutely love listening to Yossi and Donniel they are knowledgeable and insightful. Listening to this podcast is a highlight of me and I look forward to every episode. Thank you for keeping me company on my journeys through the day
Irenas3 · Mar 2026
To the hosts: Thank you for your podcast. I find such meaning and joy listening to your heartfelt wrestling with the important issues facing Israel and the Jews. I look forward to each new episode dropping and listen by myself or with my beloved.
May your hearts be lightened with the hope of our Creator today and always
MJDmel · Jul 2025
For the past year I’ve listened to and recommended For Heaven’s Sake to other Jewish Americans who, like me, have complicated feelings about the events that have unfolded since October 7. The thoughtful weekly conversations help illuminate an Israeli and Jewish perspective on the war for Jews in the diaspora. How do you fight a just war justly? Not like this, I fear. And while Israel is becoming increasingly isolated, American Jews are also feeling the fallout from this unrelenting war. Thank you to Donniel and Yossi for your frank, respectful, and illuminating conversations.
RKWFL · May 2025
Great episode! Sarah, I profoundly respect your journey and insights. As a”modern orthodox Zionist” with sabra grandchildren i empathize with the discomfort of labels described by Yossi, as well as his valuable insights in all of the podcasts
Cancer doc · Aug 2026
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of For Heaven's Sake, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
