Ep. 33 – The Bhakti of Judaism with Moshe Reuven Sheradsky

Hasidic musician Moshe Reuven finds the Bhakti in Judaisim with Madison Margolin as they discuss music, mysticism, and divine destiny.

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In this interview, Madison and Moshe discuss:

• The impact of music on society
• Moshe’s journey to music from poetry to songwriting
• Near death experiences and the meaning of life
• Death motifs in the psychedelic experience
• Re-focusing our lives after a spiritual experience
• Inspiration from Hasidism, Torah, relationships, and God
• Baal Shem Tov as the Bhakti of Judaism
• Predestination and divine tests
• Drugs as a very temporary access to spirituality
• Sustaining psychedelic experiences through religion
• Reigniting our passions and realigning with what is important
• The benefits of starting the day with Prayer

About Moshe Reuven Sheradsky:

Moshe Reuven Sheradsky (Hebrew: משה ראובן), known professionally as Moshe Reuven, is a Hasidic Billboard charting music artist and Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur. Subsequently, known as a rabbi, singer, rapper, songwriter, writer, entrepreneur, executive, and public speaker. Sheradsky first received recognition in music when his debut single went viral on several social media and streaming platforms. Following the release of his debut, “You Are Not Alone”, he signed to Create Music Group. The single managed to reach charts in five different countries, including becoming a Billboard certified single in the US. He later collaborated with Julian Marley. In August 2022, Rolling Stone included Moshe in their Global Artists Spotlight List for 2022.

Keep up with Moshe on Instagram and listen to his tunes on Spotify

“I think the essence of that spiritual experience is the relationship with the divine. That is ultimately what spirituality is. The more we open ourselves up to that and we’re vulnerable with God and open with him, I think the more spiritual a person will feel throughout their day.” – Moshe Reuven

About Madison Margolin:

“I’m a journalist straddling California, New York, and Israel-Palestine, focused on psychedelics, cannabis, and Judaism (in jest, I’ll say “Jews & Drugs”). I also cover culture, policy, and science. I’m passionate and curious about how people can transcend their minds to access something greater than themselves — be it through getting high off acid or God, meditating, creating art, or something somatic, I’ve set out to explore the various ways people nourish their souls. This is what drives me, and most of my writing, in some way or another, connects back to this theme.

These days, I work as an editor at  DoubleBlind, the print and digital magazine I co-founded, covering psychedelics and where they intersect with mental health, spirituality, environmental justice, and social equity. I also co-founded the Jewish Psychedelic Summit and host a podcast called Set & Setting on the Be Here Now Network. I’ve been practicin