In this week’s Parsha, Toldot, Yitzchak Avinu asks Eisav, “V’asei li matamim ka’asher ahavti”—make me delicacies like what I love—not just food, but delicious, enjoyable dishes. At first glance, this might seem surprising. Why would Yitzchak, one of our greatest spiritual leaders, place so much focus on the pleasure of food before giving the brachot?

Yitzchak was teaching us a powerful and essential Torah lesson about how Hashem created the world for us. Hashem could have designed a bland and utilitarian existence—food that only nourishes without flavor, a gray sky without sunrises and sunsets, or flat landscapes devoid of oceans and mountains. Instead, Hashem filled the world with beauty, flavor, and joy. He gave us delicious food, breathtaking nature, and the warmth of relationships—not just for function, but as a demonstration of His infinite kindness.

More than that, Hashem gave us the ability to elevate this physical world to spiritual heights. Yitzchak wasn’t asking for food to indulge; he was asking for food to elevate. By savoring the physical world with gratitude and purpose, we fulfill the ultimate mission Hashem set for us: to take the best of what He gives us and raise it to the highest spiritual level. Yitzchak’s bracha following this request reflects this concept. He blesses Yaakov with “the dew of the heavens and the fat of the earth, an abundance of grain and wine”—all physical blessings. But these gifts are tools to serve Hashem and fulfill our mission in this world.

This idea is mirrored in how we celebrate Shabbat, described as me’ein Olam Haba—a taste of the World to Come. Shabbat is filled with joy, delicious meals, rest, and connection. It teaches us how to uplift the physical world into a spiritual experience. Yitzchak’s request for delicacies was about this very principle: the physical is not something to reject, but something to elevate with kedusha.

Infusing Gratitude into Our Lives

How can we bring this perspective into our daily lives? By cultivating a mindset of gratitude. Hashem’s kindness is everywhere—big and small. From the food on our table to the beauty of a sunset, from our health to the love of family and friends, everything is a gift.

But gratitude is more than a feeling; it’s a practice. Start small: take just four minutes a day to focus on what you’re grateful for. Pause and thank Hashem for even the smallest blessings in your life. This simple habit will transform your mind, uplift your heart, and help you see the incredible beauty Hashem gives us at every moment.

If you’re ready to take your gratitude practice to the next level and train your mind for positivity, I invite you to sign up for the waitlist for my new program, 4-Minute Gratitude. Together, we’ll learn how to transform our lives with this powerful practice.

Life is a gift. Let’s make the most of it by living with gratitude every day.

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