We are what we eat?
Torah Study 5/23
Rabbi Marder
Genesis 9:1
Renewal of Life after the flood.
On the ark the animals living together and being cared for made them tame. Man did not fear animals and animals did not fear man.
There was a rupture in the relation between man and animals.
Rashi points out the natural fear that animals have of man. ( mice will not attack a live person / baby only one who is dead )
There is the notion the man came from animals but there was a separation and change.
Now animals can be food for humans. A major change from vegetarians they were.
Reasons for the change –
The case of the Vegetarian vs the Omnivore
Kashrut is a reminder that we started as vegetarians and were allowed to eat meat. Kashrut gives limits to what and how to eat as a reminder.
Eating meat was related to man’s aggressive impulses. Allowing to eat meat was a transitional dispensation.
Samson Raphael Hirsch: Different opinion on eating meat.
the attachment between people and animals was broken which initiated a change in the relationship of people to the world. [14]
The permission given to Noah to eat meat was not unconditional. There was
an immediate prohibition against eating blood.
There was fierce debate among rabbis on this issue.
Note: Life span of humans was much longer before the flood.
Eli Munk: Mystical interpretation.
Diet did not effect man’s nature or aggression. It was simply a new era marking the end of strict vegetarianism.
Cordavera – Hierarchy of nature. Goal to come closer to the divine. “you are what you eat” type concept and as you get higher on the food chain what you eat gets closer to the divine.
This new approach is God’s attempt to set a new system of discipline relating to eating habits (pre Kasrut laws)
Hassidic interpretations continue to analyze why we eat. We eat to stay alive. Don’t eat with gluttony, eat with appreciation and respect for it’s purpose.
Excess is not good.
Wine as example: It not only includes quantity but also HOW you consume it that makes a difference. Wine in a beautiful Kiddish cup drank with ceremony and celebration is much more beautiful and proper. Same with sexuality that is more meaningful when ‘put in a container of love and caring’.
NO BLOOD – next verse:
In no other religion is there a prohibition of consuming blood. Blood is thought of as the life source.
Do not eat the limb torn from a living animal. This law is given 10 times in Tanach.
Flesh with life still in it is like eating part of the soul. Meat to be consumed must be slaughtered properly. This teaches compassion rather than cruelty.
(Eli Munk) A method of teaching self discipline - Points
7 Noahite Laws for all humans :
The Talmud and Midrash canonized this notion in lists of commandments believed to have been given to Adam and supplemented in a new revelation to Noah. The generally accepted list consists of seven items, with respect to: 1) idolatry; 2) blasphemy; 3) homicide; 4) incest and adultery; 5) robbery; 6) eating the flesh of a live creature; 7) establishing a system of justice.
Rabbi Marder
Genesis 9:1
Renewal of Life after the flood.
On the ark the animals living together and being cared for made them tame. Man did not fear animals and animals did not fear man.
There was a rupture in the relation between man and animals.
Rashi points out the natural fear that animals have of man. ( mice will not attack a live person / baby only one who is dead )
There is the notion the man came from animals but there was a separation and change.
Now animals can be food for humans. A major change from vegetarians they were.
Reasons for the change –
Animals survived because of humans.
Human care of animals as payment
All plants were destroyed also and there was fewer other food sources
Terms with the nature of humans were compromised.
The case of the Vegetarian vs the Omnivore
Kashrut is a reminder that we started as vegetarians and were allowed to eat meat. Kashrut gives limits to what and how to eat as a reminder.
Rav Kook believes that the permission to eat meat was only a temporary concession; he feels that a God who is merciful to his creatures would not institute an everlasting law permitting the killing of animals for food.
Eating meat was related to man’s aggressive impulses. Allowing to eat meat was a transitional dispensation.
Samson Raphael Hirsch: Different opinion on eating meat.
the attachment between people and animals was broken which initiated a change in the relationship of people to the world. [14]
The permission given to Noah to eat meat was not unconditional. There was
an immediate prohibition against eating blood.
There was fierce debate among rabbis on this issue.
Note: Life span of humans was much longer before the flood.
Eli Munk: Mystical interpretation.
Diet did not effect man’s nature or aggression. It was simply a new era marking the end of strict vegetarianism.
Cordavera – Hierarchy of nature. Goal to come closer to the divine. “you are what you eat” type concept and as you get higher on the food chain what you eat gets closer to the divine.
This new approach is God’s attempt to set a new system of discipline relating to eating habits (pre Kasrut laws)
Hassidic interpretations continue to analyze why we eat. We eat to stay alive. Don’t eat with gluttony, eat with appreciation and respect for it’s purpose.
Excess is not good.
Wine as example: It not only includes quantity but also HOW you consume it that makes a difference. Wine in a beautiful Kiddish cup drank with ceremony and celebration is much more beautiful and proper. Same with sexuality that is more meaningful when ‘put in a container of love and caring’.
NO BLOOD – next verse:
In no other religion is there a prohibition of consuming blood. Blood is thought of as the life source.
Do not eat the limb torn from a living animal. This law is given 10 times in Tanach.
Flesh with life still in it is like eating part of the soul. Meat to be consumed must be slaughtered properly. This teaches compassion rather than cruelty.
(Eli Munk) A method of teaching self discipline - Points
Sanctity of Human Life
Moral Freedom
Decision Making
Control of Instincts
Maintain Dignity
7 Noahite Laws for all humans :
The Talmud and Midrash canonized this notion in lists of commandments believed to have been given to Adam and supplemented in a new revelation to Noah. The generally accepted list consists of seven items, with respect to: 1) idolatry; 2) blasphemy; 3) homicide; 4) incest and adultery; 5) robbery; 6) eating the flesh of a live creature; 7) establishing a system of justice.
posted by Chavarah @ 2:24 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home