How self love is the most important love you can have.
Each Yom Kippur, I diligently and reflectively fast for 24 hours. Yom Kippur is a day set apart by the Torah for us to “practice self-denial” (Leviticus 23:27). This self-denial is typically expressed through fasting. I have traditionally broken the fast with a close family friend. He is an accomplished oenophile. He always serves the most extraordinary bottles of Italian wine, my favorite, for our break fast toast. Although I absolutely love Italian wine, our first glass of wine never really tastes that good. I have always wondered why. I recently learned the reason.
When I normally drink my favorite Italian red wine, it transports me. I love the flavors. I love the memories. Each sip truly tastes so good. However, at the break the fast, the first sip doesn’t react with my taste buds in the same way. I recently realized that I am too thirsty. Because my throat is so parched from the 24-hour fast, I really can’t taste the wine. I am literally too thirsty to drink. When I am normally sated and not fasting, I can truly taste each tannin of the wine. It magically transforms my taste buds to transport my wining experience.
I learned this distinction this year when I discovered the importance of self love. If you are so deprived of love, you can never truly receive the blessing of someone else’s life. You experience such a deprivation of love. If you have love for yourself, then you can more readily receive the blessing of someone else’s love. You are not so parched and thirsty.
Self love truly enables your proverbial wine cup to “runneth over” and to truly enjoy the blessings of friendship and love.
La Chaim! To life and self love!
