In Insights to the Daf (Pesachim 49:2) the Kollel wrote:
>> Hash-m permitted meat only to people who fear Him and who strive for spiritual growth. Such people are given the authority to "rule" over the animal world by eating meat. A person who acts with animalistic tendencies himself, who lets his base nature rule over him, may not eat meat. <<
Perhaps that would shed light on what I think is a Chazal. I was told that Udum HuRishon (before the chait ) was served by Malachim, meat and wine.
Since at that time, his seichel was in full control of every part of his being, who would be more befitting to be served meat. This is the type of person that meat was created for.
Conversely the yiden in the midbar who desired meat, were acting on the other end. It was desire that initiated the request for meat. No wonder the meat ended up in such a klah-la.
Moshe, that is a very intriguing thought.
The Chazal you were looking for is in Sanhedrin 59b. However, I am not sure that the Gemara there supports your suggestion.
The Gemara in Sanhedrin quotes Rav as saying that Adam was not permitted to eat meat. It challenges Rav's words with a Beraisa which tells us that the angels roasted meat for Adam. The Gemara concludes that the angels did not roast normal meat, but rather meat that "issued from heaven." Tosfos adds (56b DH Achal) that Adam was permitted to eat the meat of dead animals, but he was not permitted to slaughter animals for their meat.
It would seem that Adam was not meant to eat meat and thereby "rule" over the animal kingdom (see also Ramban, Bereishis 1:29).
Thank you for such a response. And thank you for guiding me to the daf where it is on.
(a) My thoughts were that since Udum was ruled by hi 'seichel' he was the person fit for Malachim to serve him. Sort of "B'koach" that's what he represented. A person that is ruled by the 'seichel' to such a degree would be fitting to have Malachim serve him meat. Of course halachakily he was forbidden to slay any creature. "B'Poel" it was forbidden to go ahead and kill an animal.
(Do we know if he would have eaten from the Eitz HaChaim if this would have been permitted? But that's speculation.)
(b) Noach too (my understanding based possibly on what I picked up) was given the 'heter' since the animals owed their life to him, rather than that mankind had reached the "shleimus." [Maybe that is incorrect.] Or possibly after the Mabul with the less healthy environment causing a lessening of years, people needed more nourishment. [Speculation]
(c) It's interesting that the meat that he ate was "issued from heaven." Didn't they say the Gr'a made a siyum and a bird was sent to them from Shomayim? The Gr'a was someone who was fitting to be sent meat from heaven too.
I don't think the yiden's 'slav' came from shomayim, but that's what their test was.
I wonder if the seudah with the Shor Bor has a 'shaychus' or the korbonos were meat.
Just some things for thought. 'Vie-ter in Shas,' right?
Frielichin Shushan Purim
(a) I see.
(b) The Ramban I mentioned discusses that idea.
(c) I have never heard such a story about the Vilna Gaon. I have my doubts about its authenticity.
Be well
M. Kornfeld