The life-force of every creature belongs to God. Misappropriating it is a direct sin against God. The earth is the source of all nephesh (life-force/living flesh). When a creature dies, its nephesh must be returned to the earth. When you slaughter an animal for food, you must drain the blood and let it return to the earth from whence it ultimately came.

Consider this interesting, related idea: When Moses poured the water of the Nile on the ground and God turned it to blood, he was predicting the death of Egypt. It was a picture of returning Egypt's nephesh to the earth.

#achareimot
#leviticus 17