Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sidkd5 on February 17, 2013 at 7:42am

My diabetes diagnosis and the ultrafocus on food gave me anorexia in high school and early college. When I was recovering, I was struggling with the Catholic faith I was raised in and searching for answers. I found an emphasis on social justice and eating for both physical and spiritual health within Judaism. This really appealed to me.
At first, I simply began to eat more kosher, amazed that my mind was okay with me eating at all. My recovery from my eating disorder was difficult. I had even been hospitalized. There are few resources for diabetics with eating disorders.
Anyways, in addition to eating kosher I began to see eating in general as a mitzvah. Like when the angel told Elijah, "Arise and eat, or the journey will be too much for you." (1 Kings 19.7)
Obviously, this isn't the only reason I converted. That feeling of finally being among family every time I am with Jews, of always having an interest in Judaism since I was very young....these are simply some of the reasons. However, finding my neshamah and claiming it through conversion helped me recover from both my eating disorder and self injury. I couldn't have done that without HaShem.
(And now, I even have a Star of David on my MedicAlert necklace with instructions to call my doctor and then my rabbi should anything ever happen to me. Heh.)

Permalink Reply by shea on February 17, 2013 at 8:08am

Very interesting story _- I would love to hear more. Where did you make the geyrus? In the States? In Eretz Yisrael? Thanks for sharing your story - is fascinating and gives great chizuk

Have you ever seen this sefer - it's beautiful and amazing http://www.amazon.com/Bnei-Avraham-Ahuvecha-Chassidic-Thought/dp/14...

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on February 17, 2013 at 10:48am

I'm fascinated by your story! I am struggling with an eating disorder myself, and I, in spite of having been born and raised Jewish (Reform), had never thought of eating as a mitzvah, although I know about other mitzvot. I like that philosophy -- it truly makes sense in the idea that you need to take care of your body and your health. For example, I know about the mitzvah about saving lives, and in context of the eating disorder, the act of eating IS an action to save your own life.

By the way, if you're T1, and have struggled with an eating disorder, even if you're fully in recovery, there is a site called the Vial Project, which is a part of the PhD dissertation of a friend of mine. You might want to go over there and give it a look -- she needs more participants, and you can give a unique perspective!

Mazal tov!

Permalink Reply by shea on February 18, 2013 at 3:01am

Natalie - please feel free to contact me directly yoxenhendler(@)gmail(.)(com) - remove the brakets obviously haha - I have learnt a lot about the concept of eating and how it is a mitzvah - please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss

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