How Do We Perform the Requirement to Drink on Purim? Is the Rebbe’s Offer on Purim 5715 for Wealth Still Relevant Today? What Can We Learn From Vashti’s Decision to Resist the King’s Command? Does It Reflect Broader Themes of Power, Gender, and Agency in Jewish Tradition? What Is the Torah/Chassidus View on Plant Medicine and Psychedelics? How Do We Avoid the Risks and Irresponsible Use of These Methods? What Would the Rebbe Advise About Digging Into and Dealing With Past Traumas?
MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 440, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson
Sunday, March 5, 2023 / 12 Adar 5783 – 8:00-9:00PM ET
Special Purim Edition
The topics in this week’s 440th episode of the highly acclaimed MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, will include:
· Chassidus Applied to Purim
o What is the primary message and lesson of Purim?
o Why was it important that the miracle be manifest and concealed in nature?
o Why does the miracle of Purim not cause us to refrain from saying tachnun in the month of Adar?
o How did Haman justify the killing of all the Jews due to one man, Mordechai, refusing to bow to him?
o What is the best response to anti-Semitism?
o Why did Haman’s daughter defend the Jews?
o Why is the holiday named after the lots Haman drew?
o Is it a good time to buy a lottery ticket?
o What is the concept of v’nahapoch hu?
o Is the Rebbe’s offer on Purim 5715 for wealth still relevant today?
o What can we learn from Vashti’s decision to resist the king’s command?
o Is it possible that Vashti’s rebellion was an act of bravery?
o How does Vashti’s role in the story reflect broader themes of power, gender, and agency in Jewish tradition? How can we use her story to inform our understanding of the social and political dynamics of our own time?
· Drinking on Purim
o Is it forbidden to daven while under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
o How do we perform the requirement to drink on Purim until we don’t know the difference between “cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai”?
o Would Aaron’s sons have been allowed to enter the Temple drunk if it was Purim or Simchas Torah?
o Why didn’t Rabba and Reb Zeira learn a lesson from the mistakes of Aaron’s sons?
· What is the meaning behind the fast day of Adar 9, and did the students of Shammai actually kill the students of Hillel?
· Are disagreements bad?
· Psychological interventions
o What is the Torah/Chassidus view on plant medicine and psychedelics?
o With the recent hype about using these methods to deal with trauma, abuse and addiction, how do we avoid the risks and irresponsible use of these experiences?
o Were the ketores and other rituals a form of mind-altering experience?
o What would the Rebbe advise about digging into and dealing with past traumas?
o Which interventions and therapies are acceptable?
o How about breathwork? EMDR?
MyLife: Chassidus Applied is a weekly video webcast candidly answering questions from the public about all life matters and challenges, covering the entire spectrum of human experience.
This hour-long dose of insights, broadcast live every Sunday night 8-9PM ET, is meant to provide people with inspired guidance and direction, empowering them to deal with any issue they may face.
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Must listen to Reb Simon’s explanation on the healthy attitude to plant medicine and psychedelics – clear like a bell, balanced and mature. Everyone needs to hear this today.