Intoxication and Divine Connection

This chapter examines the historical interplay between religion and psychoactive substances in the worship of Yahweh, highlighting their role in ancient rituals and ecstatic experiences of prophets. It investigates the divergence in worship practices between the northern and southern tribes of Israel and the resulting theological shifts during the Babylonian exile. The discussion underscores the evolution of monotheism and the emergence of Jewish apocalypticism in response to existential crises, illustrating a significant transformation in Jewish religious thought.