תוספתא מסכת ברכות (ליברמן) פרק ד הלכה א
לא יטעום אדם כלום עד שיברך שנ' לה' הארץ ומלואה הנהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה מעל עד שיתירו לו כל המצות לא ישתמש אדם בפניו בידיו וברגליו אלא לכבוד קונהו שנ' כל פעל ה' למענהו
A person should not taste anything before blessing, as it says “To God is the land, and God fills it.” One who benefits from this world without blessing has stolen from God, until [one performs] all the commandments which permit the food to that person. A person should only use their face, hands, and feet for the honor of the Creator, as it says, “All acts of God are for God’s sake.” [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why do we steal from God if we eat before blessing?
2. Why do we say a blessing over our food?
3. Who ultimately owns our food and land? How does this affect our understanding of property and ownership?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)