I think the reason there's little halakhic discussion is that the classical sources don't deal with this. When dealing with intoxicating substances, they most often deal with wine. There are no specific laws I know of for beer and whiskey besides "they're chametz," for example. We know that ancient Israelites had access to cannabis, partially because of Tel Arad, and partially because the Mishna and Talmud actually use the word "cannabos" to describe a plant that can be used for fabric making. Rambam describes cannabis being used as a medicine. Yet the classical sources neither require or forbid the recreational usage of substances such as "cannabos," meaning that all arguments that they are forbidden that modern rabbis can make are on shaky ground.
Really, absolutely no talk of halakha at all?? Not even a passing reference to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's prohibition on cannabis, even just to comment on its cultural assumptions?
David, your article intrigues me but the notion of subjecting my mind to such an experience scares me. Can you describe what that experience would be like?
There are many, many possibilities, depending on both the substance and the context. I'd recommend reading Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind as a way to learn about the range. If you're looking for a firsthand report, Huxley's Doors of Perception is popular for a reason.
If psychadelic Judaism wins, it will be at the expense of people whose familial and/or medical history and/or economic abilities exclude them. If that's where you think Jewish futurism is going. I'm out.
I don't think it is to the exclusion of other forms of Judaism, and certainly not everyone should be using psychedelics. It's simply a powerful modality.
Excellent post. Although I am an artist/illustrator, and have never used psychoactive chemicals because I rely on my imagination and readingsfor inspiration. Much of my work, both written and visual encompasses Judaic themes infused with colorful depictions of our sages’ (chazal)encounters with the divine such as Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot.
However, if the use of psychedelics inspired those visions, our own imaginations certainly benefit from them. That said, I firmly believe that if such drugs are used that it should be done with medical supervision.
I think the reason there's little halakhic discussion is that the classical sources don't deal with this. When dealing with intoxicating substances, they most often deal with wine. There are no specific laws I know of for beer and whiskey besides "they're chametz," for example. We know that ancient Israelites had access to cannabis, partially because of Tel Arad, and partially because the Mishna and Talmud actually use the word "cannabos" to describe a plant that can be used for fabric making. Rambam describes cannabis being used as a medicine. Yet the classical sources neither require or forbid the recreational usage of substances such as "cannabos," meaning that all arguments that they are forbidden that modern rabbis can make are on shaky ground.
No dude. Drugs are only fun on vacation, not on a regular basis.
https://open.substack.com/pub/marlowe1/p/bloodbath-at-landsdale-towers-by?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=sllf3
Really, absolutely no talk of halakha at all?? Not even a passing reference to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's prohibition on cannabis, even just to comment on its cultural assumptions?
Rav Moshe's teshuva doesn't seem to have had a major influence on Jewish practice over the last 50 years.
David, your article intrigues me but the notion of subjecting my mind to such an experience scares me. Can you describe what that experience would be like?
There are many, many possibilities, depending on both the substance and the context. I'd recommend reading Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind as a way to learn about the range. If you're looking for a firsthand report, Huxley's Doors of Perception is popular for a reason.
If psychadelic Judaism wins, it will be at the expense of people whose familial and/or medical history and/or economic abilities exclude them. If that's where you think Jewish futurism is going. I'm out.
I don't think it is to the exclusion of other forms of Judaism, and certainly not everyone should be using psychedelics. It's simply a powerful modality.
Excellent post. Although I am an artist/illustrator, and have never used psychoactive chemicals because I rely on my imagination and readingsfor inspiration. Much of my work, both written and visual encompasses Judaic themes infused with colorful depictions of our sages’ (chazal)encounters with the divine such as Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot.
However, if the use of psychedelics inspired those visions, our own imaginations certainly benefit from them. That said, I firmly believe that if such drugs are used that it should be done with medical supervision.