Shemini תרל”ד

זאת החיה ברש”י ז”ל לפי שבנ”י דבקים בחיים כו’.
(Vayikra 11:2) “These are the animals (Chaya – literally life force) tha you shall eat”. Rashi explains that the word “chaya” is an expression of “life”. This is because Bnei Yisrael are attached to HaShem and are fitting to be “alive” therefore HaShem gave them many prohibitions, whereas the nations of the world are exempt.
דיש דצח”ם ואדם מושל על כולם.
There are (4 levels of existence of existence in this world) “domem” – inanimate, “tzomeach” -things that grow (plants etc), “Chai” – things that live (animals) and “medaber” – one who speaks (mankind).
It is the man that rules over all them.
וכמו שבאדם נבחרו בנ”י כי הם מדברים דברי תורה ובקדושה לכן נאמר אדם אתם אתם קרוין אדם כי אין יתרון לבחי’ מדבר כשאינו מדבר בקדושה לכן העיקר תלוי בפה כחן של ישראל כו’.
Now just as in mankind, Bnei Yisrael were chosen, for they are the ones that speak words of Torah and Holiness.
And it is for this reason that we are called “Adam”, and not the nations of the world. This is because there is no advantage to having the power of speech if it is not used for holiness.
It is for this reason that the main power of Bnei Yisrael is in their speech (by praying and learning Torah).
וכמו כן בכל דצ”ח יש מינין מיוחדים בקדושה שיוכלו לעלות עד בחי’ מדבר להיות נכלל בדיבור של איש הישראלי שדיבורו עולה לשמים.
(Just as in mankind there are different levels) so too in the other levels of existence there are elements that are unique for holiness, that they are able to be elevated to the level of speech, and be included into the speech of the Yehudi and be elevated all the way to Heaven. (When Bnei Yisrael use that lower element to give them sustenance to learn and pray, that food becomes elevated)
וז”ש כי עכו”ם אין הפרש באכילתם. כי אין דבורו עולה ואין נ”מ באכילתו.
Therefore it states in the Rashi above, that the nations of the world can eat whatever they want, for their speech is not elevated up to Heaven, and therefore it makes no difference what they eat.
וז”ש במד’ לא ניתנו המצות לישראל אלא לצרף בהם הבריות. פי’ שבנ”י מעלין ומחברין כל הנבראים דצח”ם ע”י המצות שיש בכל דבר:
This is the meaning of the Midrash that states that the reason why the mitzovs were given to Bnei Yisrael is to purify nature. This means that Bnei Yisrael elevate and connect the entire creation on all 4 levels of domem, tzomeach, chai and medaber through the mitzvos taht are applicable in each thing.