“Understanding the meaning behind these blessings and the power they possess can transform the mundane act of eating into a deeply spiritual experience. … And in doing so, we elevate ourselves from the level of ‘animal behavior’ to the unique and lofty level of ‘human being.’

… The kabbalists [explain] that food is more than just nourishment for the body. There are also ‘sparks of holiness’ contained in food, and when we eat that food in an appropriate way (i.e. kosher food, and saying a bracha), the holiness in that food is unlocked and nourishes the soul.”