Despite the common notion of spirituality being about asceticism and denying the body, Jewish mysticism has reframed eating as a central way to connect with the Divine. Through exploration of excerpts from 18th century Hasidic rebbes, contemporary kabbalists, Yiddish women's cooking prayers, and modern neo-Hasidic writers, we will explore how our tradition has seen food to be a primary avenue to spiritual uplift. Everything will be provided in English. No text study experience required.

Jonah Mac Gelfand (he/him) is a rabbinical student at Hebrew College and the co-founder and editor-in-chief at Gashmius Magazine. He got his Master's in Jewish Studies from the Graduate Theological Union, where his research focused on neo-Hasidic leadership, and his writing has been published in both popular and academic journals.