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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
- Family and Society
- The Jewish Household
- Kashrut
Answer: Prior to the Flood, people were vegetarians; even animals could only eat other animals that were already dead. But after the Flood, Noach & the generations following were permitted to eat meat (9:23-24). Why? This may be because the flood-waters had destroyed all the vegetation, and there was nothing else to eat. Ramban says this is the "reward" which Noach earned by protecting the animals in the Ark and saving them. Others say that the animals acted in corrupt ways - unlike those in the Garden of Eden - and so are undeserving of being left alone. Rav Kook says that Man had descended to a lower level and, had he not been permitted to eat animal flesh, would have resorted to eating human flesh. He also says that Man needed to express his mastery over animals so as to prevent him mingling and mating with them.
Rav Kook - who, contrary to popular opinion, was NOT a vegetarian - said that in the End of Days, when both man and animals will be brought to a higher level, we will return to a vegetarian diet. This will apply even to animals, as Yeshayahu says, (11:6-7): "And the lion shall eat straw like the ox." Exactly how the positive commandment to eat the lamb offering on Pesach will be maintained is an open question.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
