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These changes in nature, due to man, are not just a punishment but also a change in focus. The Netziv (ad loc.) says that given that man was distanced from Hashem, it is good for him to fill his life with hard work. Actually, earlier (ibid. 2:15) we see that Adam was originally placed in the Garden of Eden "to work it and guard it." So the need for work is nothing new. Apparently it was not the need for work which was the punishment or the tikkun (the means for rectifying his situation), but the strains it put on relationships.
Originally, there was to be a very harmonious relationship between Adam and the earth from which he was taken. He was to guard it and improve it, and by its nature it would provide all his needs in a pleasant manner. Adam caused the ground to be cursed, and it "responded" by making things difficult. The ground produces growths that make it difficult for man to cultivate it, and while it says three times that he will eat, each time it is with significant difficulty. The first time it is that he will have to work hard to get the ground to produce for him. The second time it says that he will eat the grass of the field, as opposed to the very appealing fruit of the Garden of Eden (see ibid. 2:9). The third time it says that he will need to sweat to eat his bread. The Netziv explains that from the time that the ground gives its raw product, man still needs to take many sweat-producing steps before he can eat his bread.
Another element of the lack of harmony between the ground and man arises in the realm of the production of bread, man’s primary sustenance (see Bereishit 28:20). Grain is the seed of tall grasses that cover large patches of ground. As such, man takes from nature that which would allow it to reproduce and eats it for himself (of course, usually he leaves enough seeds to plant again). This is different from most fruit, where one can eat the flesh of the fruit and save the inedible seeds for replanting. The "strained relationship" between the earth and man ultimately ends with the land swallowing up the deceased man (ibid. 3:19).
Rav Hirsch points out another lack of harmony that arises from man’s quest to eat bread according to his desires. The Hebrew word for bread (lechem) shares a root with the word for war (milchama). This, he says, hints at the constant struggle within society as to who will succeed in making his livelihood, represented by having food to eat, at the apparent expense of whom.
Indeed, man is able to eat, but everything is more complicated due to Adam’s sin. The challenge for us, who strive to be godly individuals, is to go about having bread to take home in a way that is as harmonious as can be with those around us. When we will succeed in filling our daily life (whether in agriculture or any worthwhile pursuit) with a variety of mitzvot, we will merit living in an more ideal in history, when the Land of Israel will have trees that grow loaves of bread ready to be picked, literally and/or figuratively (see Ketubot 111b).
Peninei Halakha 11. Shaving One’s Beard During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
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.
