Food is a critical life factor. It affects our basic physical health but also our emotions, memories and behavioral patterns. Who doesn’t feel better when they walk into a home with the smell of fresh bread baking? HaRav Yeshaya Horowitz, The Shlah HaKodesh, referred to food as the glue that holds your soul to your body, affecting both. With the advent of increased health consciousness, much of the focus on food has unfortunately become negative – what not to eat, cholesterol, fat, losing weight and more. Developing a negative image of food takes away one of our major comfort and social enhancement possibilities. Self-image and esteem can also suffer if we do not meet the food standards we set for ourselves, leaving us open to develop unhealthful behavioral cycles.

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