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Beit Midrash
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Four things were said about bread: one should not leave raw meat on bread; one should not pass a full cup over bread; one should not throw bread; one should not rest a full tray on bread.
Ein Ayah: The dignity with which we treat bread is an indication of our treating life as holy and worthy of honor. Since human life has a lofty purpose, it is proper to show respect to life, including by showing respect to that which is the main sustainer of life, namely, bread. Bread also deserves extra respect in that it is a sign of mankind’s advantage over other species. Firstly, man’s wisdom increases when he eats bread, as Chazal said: "A baby does not learn to call, ‘father’ and ‘mother’ before he has tasted grain" (Berachot 40a). From the perspective of man’s wild side, he is willing to eat meat like carnivores, and we even find cannibalism amongst primitive tribes. One sign of wildness is eating raw meat, and we find that Chazal lambasted the Babylonians for this (Menachot 99b).
Eating bread is a sign that man has raised himself above carnivorous animals, by recognizing our higher innate level of being formed in the image of Hashem and being similar to Him in that we are able to do that which is straight and good. That is why we chose our main sustenance to be from the vegetable realm. If one is not fully sustained by eating raw vegetables, then he is smart enough to know how to turn grain into bread, about which it is said that it "satiates the heart of man" (Tehillim 104:15). When mankind is fully healed of the damage inflicted by the snake, we will not need to eat meat anymore.
Eating meat was reluctantly permitted because of the weakness of the body, which came from the weakness of the soul that arose when man lost his morality and closeness to his Maker. The Torah describes eating meat as something that comes when "one’s spirit lusts for meat" (Devarim 11:20). Chazal further looked down upon ignorant people who eat meat, as it was permitted for scholars who need the nourishment to have the strength to seek Torah knowledge. Since that brings light to the world, it is proper that animals do their part towards that lofty goal. Animals’ sacrifice is reminiscent of soldiers’ self-sacrifice at war for their countries and those who undergo punishment so that people’s hearts will be straightened out. When this will not be necessary, scholars will not eat meat either, and the pasuk, "You will eat your bread to satiation" (Vayikra 26:5) will be practiced.
Let us analyze the gemara’s practices in this light. One may not place raw meat on top of bread because bread represents cultured eating and raw meat represents primitivism. While it is cultured to use other foods to enhance the bread, overdoing this can bring one to excesses, of which the Torah especially noted intoxication. That is why one does not pass a full cup over bread, as being full is usually a sign of a drink drunk for enjoyment, not necessity.
In order to show respect to life, one should not throw bread, an act that represents disregard for that which is necessary for life. However, the reason to live is to fill oneself with wisdom and knowledge of Hashem, not to enjoy sensual pleasures. Therefore, one should not lean a full tray on bread. That act represents that life (=bread) is there to support a life full of pleasures (the pot full of tasty foods). Rather, bread exists to enable one to base Torah and wisdom on the strength it provides.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
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Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
