Episode description
In this week’s show we discuss mysticism with Jason Haxton the owner of the dybbuk box; a wine box surrounded by mysterious events. This item first appeared on eBay and became popular in the 2012 Hollywood blockbuster “The Possession.” Mr. Haxton has been featured on many shows dealing with the supernatural for the SyFy channel, The Travel Channel and The History Channel.When I first heard about the movie I was afraid that Jewish folklore was being exploited for cheap thrills. I saw the movie and was impressed with it since it appeared to be a respectful take on the Jewish understanding of demonology. Mr. Haxton is the Director of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, a scientist by profession he first encountered the supernatural when he obtained the box. We spoke about the physical ailments, natural phenomena he experienced and how the idea of the box is similar to concept to the genie in a bottle or Jinn in Middle Eastern culture.The contents of the box are the following: 4 stones from pillars where shalom is written, it contained two 1920s pennies, a lock of blonde hair bound with cord, a lock of black/brown hair bound with cord, one dried rose bud, a single candle holder with four octopus-shaped legs, and a small golden wine goblet.Many rational Jewish scholars feel that superstition is a remnant of more ancient animistic ideas which do not belong in Traditional Judaism. However, there is a strong trend in both Kabbalah and the Hasidic community of Eastern Europe of spiritual possession. In that tradition a dybbuk is the soul of a deceased individual who possesses another person and can only be released through an act of takanah (repair) to continue its gilgul (transmigration) to another life.According to Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis who wrote The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism. “Dybbuks are a form of spirit possession, not, as demonic possession… In Jewish tradition dybbukim do not possess “innocent” or “pure” souls, but invade those whose lives have made them vulnerable to such infestations through sin and lax observance of the Jewish faith.” The process of Jewish exorcism involves a minyan(quorum of ten men) and any Jewish person who has the knowledge to perform the rituals such as rabbis, local holy men or the educated. The ritual involves reciting the following Psalms: 91 the “Psalm of Affliction,” along with 16 and 121 to neutralize the spirit. Other objects associated with this process are prayer shawls and rams horns.Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Jesus The Israelite, Anti-Semitism Rising & Paul's Legacy (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 8 years we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…