Jan. 11, 2024

Parshas Va'era: Pharaoh's Mental Struggles

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Season 6

Could the enigmatic Pharaoh of ancient scripture have been grappling with schizophrenia? Journey with us as we peel back the layers of this complex mental illness, entering a world where delusions and disorganized thinking are the norm. Our latest episode ventures deep into the heart of schizophrenia, unraveling its perplexing symptoms and the limited treatments available. We scrutinize the potential parallels between the biblical Pharaoh's erratic actions and the manifestations of this baffling disorder, offering a fresh perspective on a story you thought you knew.

As we navigate through historical and religious narratives, we're reminded of the fleeting nature of inspiration and the human tendency to revert to old ways once the moment has passed. This conversation is not just about understanding a condition; it's a call to action, a reflection on how we respond to life's challenges and turn fleeting sparks of clarity into lasting transformation. Join us for a poignant discourse that transcends time, reminding us to seize the day and convert our aspirations into tangible change, lest we mirror Pharaoh's vacillation.

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Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com



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The definition of schizophrenia according to SAMASA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a mental illness usually involving delusions in the patient, hallucinations, unusual physical behavior, disorganized thinking and speech.

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It's not unheard of for people with schizophrenia to have paranoid thoughts or hear voices.

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Scientists, doctors, are still unsure about the diseases' origins or its causes, and its treatment plans are slim at best.

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A bit of cognitive behavioral therapy paired with some anti-psychotic medication is thought to work best, but only minimum.

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And I don't believe we're off base now if we propose that paro in our parasha is a man suffering from a brutal case of schizophrenia, for we see his hallucinations, his delusions, his odd behavior, his disorganized thinking and speech.

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Moshe, where are you?

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I want to let the people go.

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Oh, he heartens his heart.

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Maybe his heart was hardened by a shem, but at times it wasn't.

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Where's our own?

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Let's kill more babies.

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Let the people go, bring them back, let them go for a day.

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Where's Moshe?

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Again, Back and forth he goes.

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It's almost comedic.

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It's hard not to laugh at Speaking candidly and manner of faculty.

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For a second.

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Paro's actions in our parasha are hardly something to laugh at, for we all can at times see fiery, icy hailstorms, feel moments of inspiration, witness the miraculous and be brought to a new conclusion that I need a change and be better.

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But once the hail, the frogs, the blood subsides, once the pain is gone or the inspiration wears off, we don't pull through, we don't turn our big hopes, dreams and aspirations into a reality.

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So, to take a lesson from paro, we should harness our strength when we do get inspired, to immediately jump into action, to see what inspires us to hear shmuz and that inspire us to learn tire, that inspires us to see or, god forbid have suffering.

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That clarifies matters until you want to submit yourself to Hashem to repent.

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We should translate into action all of what we have witnessed, which you most definitely think twice before we scoff and make fun of the schizophrenic nature of paro in our parasha.