For the human race to survive, we must rely on the resources of the world around us. However, this natural process is but a cover for the true reality that life’s sustenance is a gift from G-d. There is a Divine energy that animates the entire physical universe. Back then, on the sixth day of its creation, the world's dependence on its Creator was fully visible. But then Adam sinned, and the pure G-dly consciousness was retracted.
Since then, a system of refinement is required to tap into this life-sustaining energy. This process is reflected in the arduous preparation necessary to make bread and other basic foodstuffs. The timeline from when a farmer begins to plow the wheatfield until a fresh loaf is served is many long months!
The future Redemption will be defined by a restoration of the original Divine reality. No more will man need to uncover the G-dly energy in the world—it will be readily apparent, eliminating the need for a long refinement process. This will manifest in the world's physical state when fresh bread will sprout from the ground ready for consumption.
These changes are more than an appeal to our mundane instincts. Rabbi Gamliel may well be pointing out that these promises are but a deeper layer of the current natural order. If redemption means G-dly consciousness, why is there an emphasis on abundant resources at all? Surely the focus should be on transcendence, outgrowing humanity’s reliance on the physical altogether?
