[Starvation in the Name of God? The Recognition and Treatment of Holy Anorexia (Anorexia Mirabilis)].

This article presents three yeshiva students who developed anorexia due to a desire for religious asceticism and spiritual elevation, leading them to a life-threatening condition that required hospitalization. These young men do not fit the classical description of anorexia nervosa, as they did not initially seek to change their body shape. The article reviews historical instances of self-starvation: fasting before religious revelations, fasting as a form of atonement, prayer, and drawing closer to God, fasting as a means of detaching from the material and physical world, fasting to escape feminine burdens and marriage, and later, fasting as a sign of demonic possession or, finally, as a recognized symptom of illness. Contemporary sacred anorexia can remain elusive, making awareness of this subgroup essential for healthcare providers. Cultural sensitivity and the involvement of community leaders can facilitate treatment.