Ben Bag Bag Taught:

You should study the Torah from all sides and you will always turn up new knowledge, because all the wisdom of this world is in the Torah. You should look into it all of your lifetime and grow old and gray with it. You should never move away from it, for there is nothing in the world that is better than the Torah. (Pirkei Avos 5:26)


All the diets in the world never worked for me. I cannot deny the wisdom of some of their food plans, which were well thought out and balanced. Some of these programs even used similar strategies to those I use today. But try as I might, I had no lasting success. The key component of Torah was missing. Only when I added this component, was I able to make a dent into my problem.

Today I use Torah and Tefillah on a daily basis to help me stay abstinent. It helps me sort out trivialities from true priorities. The result is a serenity I never knew before.

Hashem's natuaral bounty

All man's toil is for his mouth, yet his wants are never satisfied. Better is what the eyes see than what is imagined...That, too, is futility and a vexation of the spirit. (Koheles 6:7 and 9)




Man labors incessantly to satisfy his cravings, which, alas, remain unappeased. Better that we should enjoy the little we have, than the futile quest of unsatisfied longing. (Artscroll Machzor).



Thankfully, I fully enjoy G-d's natuaral bounty today. My palate has been cleansed through abstinent eating, and I am able to appreciate the subtle and wonderful flavors in the food Hashem provides. There is no need for me to adulterate my food with unnecessary ingredients, which are usually calorie laden. The special foods I prepare for Yom Tov are a colorful mix of vegetables, and the tastiest fish and meat I can find, and I present these on a beautiful table setting.



No longer am I chasing an elusive dream, that the next thing I ingest will give me that "high" that I seek. My "high" comes from making my Shabbos and Yom Tov meals special sacrifices on my family table and partaking of food in a controlled manner. Only in this way, have I found contentment and the ability to have an ever closer connection to Hashem.

Taking advantage of a new begining.

You remember the deeds done in the universe...For there is no forgetfulness before Your Throne of Glory and nothing is hidden from You before Your eyes. (Mussaf-Rosh Hashana)

I approach G-d, on this awesome day, with great trepidation. I know that He has perfect recall, and knows even my subconscious thoughts and motives. My embarrassment is great, due to previously failed commitments. Furthermore, true to the nature of mankind, I have erased from memory those deeds which reflect my inadequacies.

How do I utilize the full potential of this awesome day? I must internalize the concept that "The barrier to change is a lack of belief in my capacity to change". With the help of Hashem, all is possible.

Today is the birthday of the world. I have been given a new, pristine beginning.

Choosing between good and evil.

The Supreme King! G-d who dwells on high, who is powerful on high, may the strength of His hand be exalted--forever shall He reign. (Mussaf-Rosh Hashana)

The overriding theme of Rosh Hashana is the acceptance of Hashem's sovereignty. It is a message I easily relate to, this acknowledgment of Hashem's boundless Majesty.

As a direct result, I must also acknowledge my responsibility and purpose on earth, that of choosing between good and evil. My mission in life is to follow the precepts of the King, in all aspects of my life. I recognize that the Ribono Shel Olam is a loving Father and everything He desires for me is for my benefit and elevation.

How do I have the audacity to ask the Ribono Shel Olam for mercy, and yet live a life of contradiction?

Remember us for life, O King who desires life, and inscribe us in the Book of Life--for Your sake, O Living G-d (Amidah - Aseres Yemei Teshuva)

Obesity curtails life. There is a direct correlation between excess weight and the development of cardiac problems, diabetes and a myriad of other diseases R'L. I look with disdain at the alcoholic and drug addict who is obviously squandering his years. It is easy to see another's faults.

How do I have the audacity to ask the Ribono Shel Olam for mercy, and yet live a life of contradiction? Can I continue to wallow in physical indulgence and have the Chutzpah to ask for a "good life"? If I want my Tefillos to be pleasing, my actions must reflect the utterances of my lips. I must show Hashem that I am serious about tackling this challenge in my life.

It is then that I can hope for salvation and the blessings of infinite mercy. It is then that I can ask for a life filled with sanctity and purpose, that Hashem lead me in the path of His Service.

Trading one heartbreak for another.

Deliver me, Hashem, for the waters have reached until my soul. (Tehillim 69:2)

I've been wrong about a lot of things. One was the notion that I must avoid uncomfortable feelings. To this end, I anesthetized myself with food, trading one heartbreak for another.

I cannot avoid that which is destined for me. Pain comes and goes, but if I am anesthetized, so does joy. When I smooth the bumps of suffering in life with the product of my addiction, I also do not recognize the joys as they fly by.

Today when I feel I am drowning, I turn to the Al-mighty with my burdens. It leaves me with a feeling of lightness and freedom. The pressure on my joints is relieved, as well.

Two are better than one.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falls and hath not another to lift him up. (Koheles 4:9)

A friend is a valuable aid in the art of good living. Life should not be a solitary journey. In the pursuit of truth, a friend affords us an honest evaluation and can keep an objective view of what is best, since his/her view is less colored by emotion than our thoughts are. Change may be necessary, but with a friend (sponsor) at our side, the pain is mitigated.

The price of friendship is trust, and the greater the investment in the sponsor/sponsee team, the greater the gain. Teamwork produces results.

The woman is the mainstay of her house .

Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands (Mishlei 14:1)


The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge (Mishlei 15:14)

The woman is the mainstay of her house and family. A woman's heart knows she must search out knowledge and truth to enable her to properly train and care for her family. As the nurturer and primary educator in the home, she taps into all the strengths she possesses to enable her to do an optimal job.

The Torah tells us, "Im Ein Kemach, Ein Torah". Eating properly is a foundation for Torah, and the wise woman teaches proper eating habits in her home. But she must also remember to "nurture the nurturer".

I have come to learn that there is no room for guilt when it comes to caring for myself. It is an obligation.

Compassion for all of Klal Yisrael.

Establish peace, goodness, blessing, graciousness, kindness and compassion upon us and upon all of Your people Israel. (Amidah)


Through program work in OA, I have been privileged to share, in an unprecedented way, with lofty Jewish Neshomos. They have shared from their innermost souls and I have been the beneficiary. The diversity of my friends in program enriches my life. It gives me the fulfilling experience of learning and sharing with others.

Overeaters Anonymous has reinforced the importance of sisterhood and love of one another. It is no longer necessary for me to be "right", but to avoid conflict. Focusing on unity brings serenity.

Working on meaningful relationships and trying to emulate Hashem, who showers compassion on all of Israel, is what satiates the void in me today. There is no need to turn to food for comfort.

You do not have any person who does not have his hour

...He would say: Be not scornful of any person and be not dismissive of any thing, for you do not have any person who does not have his hour and you do not have anything that does not have its place. (Pirkei Avos 4:30)

Because we share on an intimate level with one another, we need to remember that each one of us deserves respect. We may not identify with things that we hear, but it is important to bear in mind that we are all at different points in life's journey. We have diverse experiences to share, and that is precisely why we have so much to gain by connecting.

Vain have its builders toiled

If Hakodosh Boruch Hu will not build a house, then in vain have its builders toiled upon it; If Hashem will not preserve the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil. It is in vain for you that you rise early, sit up late, who eat the bread of toil; but He will surely give sustenance to His loved ones. (Psalms 127)

To me, this portrays that it is not necessarily how hard we work, to normalize our weight or in any other endeavor. We need the component of Tefila, we need to beseech the Almighty for help, so that we may be blessed with His Grace and, thereby with success. There is no other way to success. No "vigils", nor "toils" ever worked for me.

Only when we realize we are completely powerless and add the component of turning to G-d, can we put food in perspective over the long term. When connected to Hashem, the idea of bingeing just falls away. Sanity sets in and we realize that food is a gift which has been granted us, a pleasant way to nourish our bodies and sustain energy so that we can focus on the really important things.

Each day is a new beginning and new opportunity.

This is the history of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the L-rd G-d made the earth and the heavens (Bereishis 2:4)

Hashem created the world with the letter "Hay", leaving two open portals, at the bottom and at the side. Man's natural inclination is to strive to rise. If he succeeds, he can enter through the wide door at the bottom of the "Hay'. Should he, however, stray, he need not fear, for there remains yet another chance, and he can squeeze through the small opening at the side.

Man is not perfect. At the time of creation, Hakodosh Boruch Hu already made provision for the weaknesses of humanity. He created opportunities for man to rise above his failings.

Despite what has previously transpired, I need never despair. Each day is a new beginning and new opportunity.

Focus on gratitude

Let us thank our G-d, let us thank our Master, let us thank our King, let us thank our Savior... (Ein K'Alokeinu)

When I focus on gratitude, the petty annoyances seem to disappear. No longer do I sulk over things which don't go my way. It is evident that the Al-mighty has showered me with abundant goodness.

When I first began to enumerate my gratitudes, I felt it would be boring and repetitious. However, the more I practice, the more evident it becomes that Hashem is continually watching over me as a Father watches over a beloved child. Every day Hashem is helping me. The cumulative benefit of many small things which go right in my day is easy to overlook. But it is each of these small things which calls for my thanks to the Holy One for His special intervention on my behalf.

We thank You for inspiring us to thank You. (Modim D'Rabbanan).

Three bad things that remove a person from this world.

R'Elazar HaKappar taught: There are three bad things that remove a person from this world: Jealousy, lust and honor. (Pirkei Avos 4:28)


Until I was able to humble myself and admit, both to myself and others, that I was a compulsive eater, I could not recover. My honor stood in the way. The conversations in my head were full of excuses. The fault was either in the particular day's circumstances and stresses, or the problem was non-existent, at all. I told myself that I was really capable of taking control, when the time would be right for me.

My lust for the substance of my addiction blinded me to the truth. And when I met a person who behaved appropriately around food, my abnormal logic caused me to think that she was unusual. Although I did not consider myself jealous, I'm sure that, in the recesses of my mind, I was guilty of this too.

Today I look back at the folly of my ways.

Self-imposed slavery

Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, for not having made me a slave. (Bircas Shachris)

I thank Hashem for freedom from self-imposed slavery to a substance called food. No longer is my brain enveloped in a food fog. No longer does this substance take over my life, dominate my thoughts and actions, reactions and emotions. My relationships are smoother because I have eliminated the "highs" and "lows" brought on my ingesting the wrong foods.

The Torah tells us that it is incorrect to voluntarily submit to servitude. If one chooses to bind oneself to a master, (beyond one's obligation), one is obliged to have his ear pierced at the doorpost, for a servant's time is not his own and he becomes a slave to his master's desires.

I choose freedom today so I may be totally available to serve only the true Master.
guest post by Hessie

Using the tools Hashem gave me.

... "for a bird of the skies may carry the sound, and some winged creature may betray the matter". (Koheles 11:20)

Shlomo Hamelech, blessed by Hashem with Chochma Yeseira (an extra measure of wisdom), reminds us that the nature of "Chai", the highest level of creation, is its difficulty of holding onto a secret. He admonishes that, before one speaks, one should be aware that "a bird in the skies may carry the sound".

And yet, I am not free to shrug off my responsibility, and claim that gossip is part of human nature. I must use the tools Hashem gave me, the double barrier of my lips and teeth, to guard me from gossip and sharing others confidences. If I safeguard others' confidences by maintaining Anonymity, I will be cultivating an important character trait within myself, which will spill over into my life. It's interesting that maintaining abstinence and practice of anonymity in the OA program are both dependent on the closure of the lips and teeth, the natural barriers given us by Hashem.

I cannot totally abstain from speech, and neither can I abstain from all food. Therefore, I must exercise caution, and ask for Hashem's help, in refraining from excesses, both in speech and in the consumption of food.

Hakodosh Baruch Hu never reveals secrets I share with Him. Let me strive, for today, to emulate Him.
guest post by Hessie

The strict measure of justice.

Whenever a person commits a transgression, a destructive being is created, as stated in the Mishnah (Avos 4:13), "He who commits a single transgression acquires against himself a single accuser..."

The strict measure of justice would justify that the Holy One, Blessed is He, should claim, "I do not nourish destructive beings! Go to the one who made you, and derive your sustenance from him". The destructive being would then immediately descend or cut him off from his spiritual source...But the Holy One, Blessed is He...bears and tolerates the sin, and just as He nourishes the entire world, He nourishes and sustains this destructive being until...the sinner repents...(Tomer Devora - Noseh Avon - 2)

Through my own erroneous behavior with food, I created destructive beings, which cut me off from my spiritual source. I can no longer justify filling my body with substances which are detrimental to my health. It is evident that this is not the Will of Hakodosh Baruch Hu.


Today I follow a plan of eating, so that I may be connected to the Supreme Source. I do this one day at a time. There is nothing that succeeds like success.

guest post by Hessie

Occupy ourselves with Chesed

It hath been told thee, O man, what is good, and what the L-rd doth require of thee: Only to do justice and to love mercy (Chesed) and to walk humbly with thy G-d. (Michah 6:8)

When we occupy ourselves with Chesed, we reap the benefits. Our program does not exist merely to "serve us", but we also need to do service. We need to be actively involved. By taking a phone call and giving words of encouragement, we help another. The act of abstinence, itself, demonstrates to others that we are not speaking of the impossible, and that this program is within the realm of reality. It is a way of life many have adopted successfully. And our example gives strength to others to join in our mutual success.

We reap the benefits of proper nutrition and also gain a grand opportunity to perform many acts of kindness.
Guest post by Hessie

Having the proper mental attitude as I begin my Shabbos preparations.

Guest Post:
The following is appropriate when preparing for Shabbos:

And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in...(Shemos 16:5)

As I begin my Shabbos preparations, I am mindful to begin with a proper mental attitude. Of course, I want to enjoy savory meals in honor of the Shabbos. At the same time, I also want clarity to participate fully in all the joys of Shabbos. To that end, I need to prepare for an "abstinent" Shabbos.
Yes, it is challenging, but it can be done! It is a matter of organizing and prioritizing. By beginning early, I avoid undue pressure. If possible, I delegate some tasks to others, so that they, too, may share in the Mitzvah of preparing for the Shabbos Queen. As I weigh and measure, I can say the words "L'kovod Shabbos Kodesh" and pray that Hashem bless my home with an aura of serenity and tranquility, and that the Kedusha of Shabbos linger and sustain me from one week to the next.

Seeking wisdom from the right source.

Guest Post
Since it is traditional to begin saying Pirkei Avos after Pesach, I have chosen the following:
R' Yose bar Yehudah of Kfar Habavli taught: If someone learns Torah from the young, what is he like? He is like a person who eats grapes that are not ripe and drinks wine that is not yet ready. But if someone learns Torah from older people, what is he like? He is like a person who eats ripe grapes and drinks aged wine. (Pirkei Avos 4:26)

When people have been doing something over a long period of time, they develop a depth and scope that is not possible with lesser experience. I benefit from aligning myself with a person of such expertise.

There is a hierarchy in program (OA), which directs us as to who can guide whom. The wisdom of this is expressed in the above Mishnah. If I want success, I need to find a sponsor who understands me, because she has experienced and mastered the same challenges I am faced with.