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"When Hashem will broaden your boundaries... and you will say, 'I will eat meat,' for your soul will desire to eat meat, with all your soul’s desire shall you eat meat. If the place that Hashem will choose... be distant, you shall slaughter... as I commanded you, and you shall eat... like all of your soul’s desire" (Devarim 12: 20-21).
Rashi explains that in the desert, where everyone was close to the Mishkan and could bring a korban shelamim, there was no excuse to eat the meat in another way. However, in Eretz Yisrael, where they would be spread out, making it difficult to bring a korban whenever they wanted meat, it became permitted to eat meat as chulin (mundane food). Was this permission given begrudgingly or was it a return to a normal situation, where meat can be eaten with regular, not extraordinary, restrictions?
The Kli Yakar sees the described situation as a regrettable lowering of spiritual levels to the point that people are not embarrassed to say, "I will eat meat." This happens as a result of "the place that Hashem shall choose being distant." The next pasuk says that the meat should be eaten like deer. While Rashi says that deer is a prototype non-korban animal, thus stressing the lack of regulations, the Kli Yakar highlights a different element. Deer needs to be hunted, so that one cannot eat it on a whim but is limited by the need to hunt. Whatever meat one eats, he should try to limit it to a relative minimum, says the Kli Yakar. Rashi and the Ramban seem to view the practice of eating the meat as perfectly acceptable, given that constant korbanot were becoming inapplicable.
We cannot ignore the thrice repeated reference to the soul’s desire. It is found in relation to eating meat in Bamidbar (11:4). However, there it was considered very negative, causing Moshe much frustration. How did these desires become acceptable? In Bamidbar, Hashem had arranged for the proper diet for Bnei Yisrael with miracles and clear instructions. Allowing one’s desire to cause a mini-rebellion against the Divine Will makes the desire an evil one. However, it is not the desire for meat itself that is negative, as long as it fits into the Divine design. Thus, Hashem informed Bnei Yisrael in advance that the meat would be permitted and welcomed them to channel their desires into a religiously careful preparation of the meat, making it a fully permitted, even if not direct mitzva, experience.
Hashem gives us many things that appeal to our desires. We must choose the desires that He has allowed us to partake in and do so properly.
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.
