Showing posts with label Moshiach in the Torah series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moshiach in the Torah series. Show all posts

Thursday, July 7, 2016

THE GRAND FEAST


Shemos: 22:30

Sources: Midrash Tehillim 766, Torah Shleimah p.147

The Torah warns: "Do not eat flesh torn off in the field by a predator. Cast it to the dogs". (22:30)

Rabbi Berachia said in the name of Rabbi Yaacov: "If someone eats animal flesh torn off by a predator, he will be judged by Hashem". But if he keeps this mitzvah, then a grand feast will be prepared for him. When Moshiach comes - He will eat the Livyoson fish and special meat, as it says: "And you will eat food and be satisfied". (Joel 2:26)

http://www.congregationlubavitch.org/page.asp?pageID=%7B33101C19-832E-41C2-B722-7A63D9D4AAD2%7D

What is the meaning of this feast? This commandment is given to the nations of Noah. It is given to restrain the lust of devouring G-d’s creatures. Should humans become no different from predators the hope of Mashiach could not shine through them to all creatures.

The livyoson, like a dragon of the sea, is a symbol of the very nature of the earth and its ecology in the absence of G-d’s immediate and personal presence. This is due to Adam’s sin. The poetic image of feasting on the livyoson is the promise of all creation being resotred to a state that is equal to and greater than that which would have been had Adam never sinned. A choice to east in a manner that is in contrast to that which the predators are forced now to eat can be a choice to testify to this hope and faith in the promise of Mashiach in the Torah and Scriptures.