Why the First Man Was Forbidden to Eat Meat

Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav: The first man was not permitted meat for eating, as it is said, "to you it shall be for food, and to every beast of the earth" (Genesis 1:29-30); the beast of the earth is not given to you. But when the sons of Noah came, it was permitted to them, as it is said, "as the green herb I have given you everything" (Genesis 9:3). They raised an objection: "And have dominion over the fish of the sea", is this not for eating? No, for labor. And are fish suited for labor? Yes, as Rachavah asked: One who drives a plow with a goat and a shibbuta fish, what is the law? They raised an objection: "And over the birds of the heaven", is this not for eating? No, for labor, as Rabbah bar Rav Huna asked: One who threshes with geese and chickens, according to Rabbi Yosi son of Rabbi Yehuda, what is the law? They raised an objection: "And over every living thing that creeps", that is the serpent, as it was taught: Rabbi Shimon ben Menasya says: Alas for a great servant the world has lost. For had the serpent not been cursed, every single Israelite would have had two fine serpents at his disposal, sending one to the north and one to the south to bring him fine carbuncles, precious stones, and pearls; and not only that, but it would fasten a strap beneath its tail and carry out earth for his garden and his ruin. They raised an objection: Rabbi Yehuda used to say: The first man would recline in the Garden of Eden, and the ministering angels would roast meat for him and cool wine for him. The serpent peered at him, saw him in his glory, and grew jealous of him. There it was meat that comes down from heaven, as in the case of Rabbi Shimon ben Chalafta, who was walking on the road when these lions met him and roared at him. He said, "The young lions roar after their prey" (Psalms 104:21); two thighs descended to him; one they ate and one they left. He took it and came to the study hall and inquired about it: Is this a clean thing or unclean? They said to him: Nothing unclean comes down from heaven. Rabbi Zeira inquired of Rabbi Abbahu: If the likeness of a donkey came down, what is the law? He said to him: You foolish chatterer, they have already said that nothing unclean comes down from heaven.