The Craving for Meat: Part One

This week's episode is part one of a double episode exploring a text from Bamidbar about the Israelites’ intense craving for meat and the subsequent arrival of the quail. We examine the tension between the miracle of the manna—a versatile food that nonetheless left the people feeling unsatisfied—and their nostalgic, potentially idealized memories of the diverse diet they left behind in Egypt. This narrative provides a framework to discuss the environmental impact of modern meat consumption and the challenges of transitioning toward more sustainable, plant-based diets, even when innovative alternatives are available. We reflect on the historical Jewish model of treating meat as a "sometimes food" reserved for special occasions, exploring how economic and cultural factors have shifted our relationship with animal protein. Ultimately, we view the Israelites' longing as an invitation to celebrate the vast biodiversity of our planet’s offerings and to investigate how we might find vitality and pleasure in a more varied and sustainable abundance. Follow along with the source sheet here: www.sefaria.org/sheets/658896