There is a beginning...
the continuation...
and then...
... what is predicted for the future...
From listening to a lecture by Orthodox Rabbi David McLashley regarding animal compassion from a viewpoint that he explains, (from his perspective and many other learned scholars) to be G-d's intention, which is that from the days of the Garden of Eden, the ideal diet for mankind, and all beings, is a raw vegan one, and that in the times to come, the prophecy is that all creatures will be at peace, not only humans won't eat meat, but lions and other carnivores will not attack their prey but become vegan, able to be nourished not from the flesh of other creatures but the fruit of the tree and of the earth, etc., and that the "permission" to eat meat was only a "concession" (at the time human sacrifices were prevalent, avoiding cannibalism may have been a concern, or a repulsion, it appears G-d was not "pleased" and tired of the flesh sacrifices, also a warning and punishment for eating of the flesh of the quail (in Hebrew Shlav) was indication upon the Israelites being freed from slavery from Egypt and longing for the same food (animal flesh) they had in Egypt instead of being satisfied with the Manna (vegetable-source of protein) that was plentiful, yet they were lustful and the passage depicts the meat rotting between their teeth, they were killed with the plague that had fallen upon the birds they were feasting on uncontrollably, gluttony, without restraint... also David McLashley showed other references in the Bible where G-d "hinted" to the people what was a kinder way to follow a tradition, and that they were never "ordered" or expected, or compelled to eat meat, it was just a concession, and G-d at that time gave all the Kosher laws to make it difficult as if to say, if you MUST have meat, then you should have it on condition that A, B, and C, etc. were to be carried out (keeping Kosher is not a simple act, there are dozens of "rules" relating to Kashrut)... however many Rabbis point out that Kashrut is a roadmap to vegetarianism and even vegan lifestyle, the higher form of keeping kosher from the point of view of compassion to animals, Tz'a'ar Ba'alei Chayim, which was the original reason behind the laws of keeping Kosher...
Hope this helps! By the way, you may read the summary of McLashley's talk, if you wish, it might be available on the Web site still... let me know if you need help finding it!
Blessings
Janine
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