Spiritual Sparks: Why Chocolate Can Be Spiritual

Originally published in Spiritual Sparks on July 2, 2026.

Why would one of the wealthiest men in the world give away almost his entire fortune? The answer begins with an extraordinary mistake.

In 1888, Alfred Nobel’s brother died. But when a newspaper accidentally published Alfred Nobel’s obituary instead, the inventor of dynamite was given a glimpse of how the world would remember him. The headline read: “The Merchant of Death is Dead.”

The obituary continued: “The man who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday.” Nobel was stunned. Reading those words forced him to confront a sobering question: Is this the legacy I want to leave behind?

What prompted such a profound realization? What kind of pleasure could possibly surpass wealth, fame, and success?

✨3 Ideas

We are here for pleasure

Our soul seeks pleasure. Pleasure is a force that moves our lives forward, not a distraction from it.

If offered the choice between being happy or wealthy, most of us would choose happiness. Deep down, we know that money is one of the many means by which we hope to experience a happier, more fulfilling life – not a goal in itself.

Our soul is drawn toward the deepest pleasures life has to offer.

**Settling for appetizers **

If our soul naturally seeks pleasure, why do so many people feel unfulfilled? Perhaps because we mistake the first course for the entire meal.

Chocolate, a beautiful sunset, and music brighten our lives. Yet they don’t fully satisfy our deepest longings. Imagine visiting a fine restaurant and filling up on bread before the meal arrives. The bread is delicious – but we’ve missed the banquet that awaits.

Life offers us a whole menu of pleasures. The mistake isn’t enjoying the appetizers. It’s forgetting there’s so much more to choose from.

Choosing from life’s full menu

Imagine two people with the same free afternoon. One spends it watching television.

The other enjoys some television, takes a walk in nature, reads a few pages of an inspiring book, helps a child with homework, spends a few moments in meditative reflection, and engages in a meaningful conversation with a friend, partner, or spouse.

Both enjoyed themselves, but one experienced a richer variety of pleasures. Life offers us a rich menu of pleasures. All are here for the soul to take delight in.

📜2 Quotes

“Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit.” — Jeremiah 29:5

“I see trees of green. Red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you. And I think to myself, ‘What a wonderful world.’” — _What a Wonderful World, sung by Louis Armstrong _

❓1 Question

Which of life’s pleasures have you been overlooking?

Alfred Nobel never forgot the obituary that described him as the “Merchant of Death.” Determined to leave a different legacy, he used much of his immense fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes, honoring achievements that benefit humanity.

Nobel realized that the joy of contributing something meaningful to the world reaches a deeper part of the soul than any possession ever can.

Every day invites us to enjoy life’s many pleasures – from the taste of chocolate to the sublime delights of the soul. A life well lived is one that learns to savor life’s full menu.

Until next time, Wishing you a week full of life’s pleasures,

Rabbi Ze’ev Smason

P.S. What’s one pleasure that never seems to grow old for you? I’d be pleased to read your response.

P.P.S. Spiritual Sparks: A Reader is now available on Amazon. If you’ve been enjoying these weekly reflections, I hope you’ll find the book to be a meaningful companion on your own spiritual journey. You can learn more or order a copy here: Amazon