I used to think of chocolate as Hashem's kiss to His beloved
children. It's not a necessity of life, but it's a little
something `extra' because He loves us and wants to pamper us
with sweetness and joy in life.
Chocolate is versatile, as well. Chocolate chips can be used
for potty training one's children; at two or three chips for
each success plus handing out the same number to nearby
siblings who cheer the performer on [and who will be able to
take him to the potty when Mommy is busy]. One bag can last a
long time.
Squares of chocolate bars can be awarded for each chore
completed on Erev Shabbos (shower, taking out garbage, making
a salad, sweeping etc.). Chocolate cake, brownies and mousse
are a real Kovod Shabbos, as far as I'm concerned, and let's
not forget chocolate `gelt' for Chanuka.
I made a surprise finding when I interviewed a successful
mother (calm, large family, pleasant apartment) and a health-
food buff neighbor to learn how they managed to accomplish
all they did. Why, they'd keep a couple of squares of
chocolate squirreled away for after the children were happily
put to bed, as sort of a reward for Mom. I've heard one
orthodontist claim that chocolate is healthier for the teeth
than Bamba, and we're probably all familiar with the
scientific research on the calming effect of chocolate.
Chocolate is relaxing. You kind of settle back in your
armchair, with or without a good book, and -- pampered with
chocolate, you just sink into this-worldly bliss.
Which brings us to the other side of the chocolate coin. The
calorie and fat laden aspect of chocolate and its addictive
pull. It's an easy food to binge on, and then feel sick to
your stomach and soul when you've overindulged. The
taave aspect, the almost irresistible draw of
chocolate, is very hard to reconcile with refining one's
physical self to be an oved Hashem. Here, chocolate
functions as a tempter, a test of character.
Yes, I know. You're going to quote the beginning of the
article where I said that chocolate can be used to serve
Hashem, as, for example, to honor the Shabbos. The litmus
test would be whether or not it's confined to Shabbos or
whether it stretches throughout the week.
This is just a suggestion for people who want to experiment
with abstinence. From experience, I can attest that when you
`go off' chocolate, the craving for it weakens. If someone
thinks that in his/her case it would be `jumping
madreigos,' working on an area not within one's reach,
consult your Rav, just like the advice is given: "Before
starting this exercise / program / diet, consult your
doctor." If denying oneself chocolate is going to result in
feelings of deprivation and obsessing about it all week, it's
not worth it. Tell yourself, you'll try it when you get
older.
I spoke with a teacher who said that cutting out sweets
entirely for children is pure deprivation and suffering, so
this article is not addressed towards them. As we said, it
has its definite place. This is an "if the shoe fits, wear
it" idea, and if it's not for you, just turn the page to the
next article.
