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There are also differences of opinion as to the reason behind the prohibition. The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim III:46) says that the prohibition was to counter certain ceremonies of idol worship. The Ramban (as understood by Abarbanel) says that it has to do with the fact that the animal’s blood contains its spirit, and thus it should not be spilled in such a manner. Abarbanel says that each of these reasons applies to a different prohibition. Idol worship is behind the prohibition on slaughtering outside the Mishkan; the soul in the blood is the reason for the prohibition on eating blood.
The Ramban, who says that the p’sukim forbid the slaughter of even non-sanctified animals, explains the rationale of this prohibition being specifically in the desert on practical grounds. In the desert, everyone had easy access to the Mishkan, and so it was reasonable to demand that people would bring a Korban Shelamim, in which they ate the main part of the animal. However, as the Torah stresses in Devarim, when the nation was spread out throughout the Land, the Torah did not expect people to travel to the Mikdash to eat meat.
Rav Hirsch has a philosophical approach to the problem of slaughtering and eating animals in the desert specifically, which picks up on the Torah’s mention of both the practice of slaughtering to the se’irim (Vayikra 17:5) and the spilling of blood (ibid. 4). In the wilderness, what was done "in the field" connected a person to an animalistic state. The spilling of the blood the Torah rejects was not that of the animal, but of the person who might connect to the spirit of the animal he ate in the wilderness. Rather, one had to partake in the eating of the meat in a manner that brought him closer to Hashem, through a Korban Shelamim, not in a way that made him closer to an animal.
Until the day (which we pray is soon) that we will once again be able to bring korbanot, let us concentrate on ensuring that our day-to-day activities, including eating meat, are done in a manner that complements our designation as "a holy nation."
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
