„The sin caused the animals to be severed from the trait of justice, a…”
„The sin caused the animals to be severed from the trait of justice, and their flesh was permitted like the green herb. This distancing, by which the brothers in creation became distant, preserved humanity in its descent, so that it would not cling to that ugliness found in the lowest sediment of the animalistic beastly soul; but correspondingly it also lost the firm foundation of the good traits... When the world returns to its firm state, the distant ones will draw near, and the lion and the leopard and the wolf, the serpent and the bear and their companions, will enter into the order of justice according to their nature, and will be bound to the level of justice in man's obligation toward them.”From Shemonah Kevatzim, VIII, 53
The world descended from its level. Man was expelled from the Garden of Eden. Alongside the sin of Adam, the first murder in history caused a shock to all of humanity and a new world order. One that placed man on a level higher than the animals. A level that was meant to move the beastliness within man outside of humanity.
An understanding that the inclination of man's heart is evil from his youth, and a beastly outlet for our low urges.
But this is a state that requires mending. And as part of the change and mending and advancement of man, we are meant to return to a state in which flesh is not kosher for man, but rather the herb. This is not a matter of a moment; a vegetarian world in an instant is liable to return to the lowest beastliness. To love animals and hate human beings. But it is certainly a state that we must place among our aspirations and act toward. And as a first stage, in the mending of the traits and the low aspects that exist in each and every one of us.
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Have a good evening
For the recovery of Rut bat Evelyn
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.