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Compulsory Enjoyment

 

 

The Gemora (Avoda Zara 3A) declares that Sukkos is a mitzvah that is fulfilled with no financial expense. Though in our days, when we buy pre-fab sukkah boards, purchase ready-made schach, plus add an arsenal of folding tables, chairs and cots to our shopping lists, many raised their eyebrows at the Gemora’s assertion.

In truth, all of the needs of the mitzvos of Sukkos are technically available free of charge. It is just that our urban lifestyles have left us unaccustomed and virtually unable to take advantage of this. However, there is a mitzvah on Sukkos, as well as other Yom Tovim, that even in the times of the Gemora, it was necessary to open our wallets in order to fulfill. The Torah says, “And you shall rejoice in your holiday.” This mitzvah, known as Simchas Yom Tov, is not just good advice or a wish for yom tov. It is an absolute Torah obligation with codified halachic guidelines.

The Gemora (Pesachim 109A) explains that the method for fulfilling this obligation varies among different groups of people. Men are not the same as women, and women differ from children. The Gemora says that men enjoy meat and wine, women enjoy colored garments, and children have a preference for roasted grains and nuts. The Shulchan Aruch records this Gemora. As such it is halacha.

If we are attempting to create simcha, can the guidelines be specific or do they vary from one individual to the next? What if I don’t enjoy having meat but like chicken? Do I have to drink wine daily? If so how much? My wife claims that I must buy her a brand new outfit every Yom Tov. She just wore the last one once on Pesach. Need I buy her a new one for Sukkos, lest I violate a Torah commandment? My children complain that roasted grains are not as popular as they used to be. In honor of the approaching Yom Tov we explore some of the halachos and obligations of the mitzvah deOraisa of simchas Yom Tov.

 

Wining and Dining

The Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvos 54) codifies this halacha in the following manner: “…to rejoice with all types of delights. To eat meat, to drink wine, to wear new clothing, and to give out various fruits and treats to children and women.” The Rambam mentions serving meat as an obligation of simchas Yom Tov. The Beis Yosef (529) questions this assertion. While the Gemora does indeed mention meat as an integral obligation of simchas Yom Tov, it qualifies that to mean specifically the meat consumed from the korban shlamim. However in our days when tragically there is no Beis Hamikdash and no korbanos, the only available means for simcha is wine.

The Bach (ibid) suggests an alternate source for the mitzvah to eat meat on Yom Tov. The Mishna (Chullin 83b) states that just prior to Yom Tov, one selling livestock must inform the buyer that the purchased cow’s mother or calf was also sold that day. The Torah forbids slaughtering a cow and her calf on the same day. Since on erev Yom Tov everyone is preparing meat, therefore animals tend be immediately slaughtered. From the Mishna it appears that even meat that from a standard cow and not a korban shlomim is also an integral part of Yom Tov. Additionally, the Gemora (Shabbos 118B) writes that the proper way to fulfill oneg Shabbos is by eating meat. So it would seem that even in absence of the korbanos there is simcha in serving meat. Explains the Bach that the Gemora that limited simcha to wine alone, only did so as far as what the main source of simcha should be. In the times of the Beis Hamikdash the chief means of simcha was meat. In our days wine is the leading media. Nonetheless, eating meat is still desirable in order to fulfill the mitzvah  of simchas Yom Tov. The Mishna Brura (ibid 11, see Biur Halacha) concurs with the Bach and others that the distinction between wine and meat is as follows: one is obligated to drink wine, whereas eating meat is a fulfillment of the mitzvah if one can afford it, albeit it is non-compulsory. As far as poultry is concerned, the Chavas Yair (178) declared chicken an unacceptable substitute for meat and such is the opinion of some poskim (see Rivavos Efraim 1:350 citing Hagaon Rav Moshe Feinstein ztz”l). Other authorities pasken that one may fulfill simchas Yom Tov even with chicken (see Shu”t Shevet Halevi 3:18).

As explained, drinking wine is obligatory. If so how much, and how often? In truth there is virtually no discussion of the amount of wine one must imbibe to fulfill this mitzvah. There are some opinions that a revi’is should be drunk (Nimukei Orach Chaim ibid, Shvus Yitzchak Pesach citing Hagaon Rav Y.S. Elyashiv ztz”l). However the Sefer Chol Hamoed (page 3) brings proof from the Rosh that a melo lugmov (a mouthful)  suffices.

The Rambam (Yom Tov 6:17) writes that the mitzvah of simchas Yom Tov is in effect during the entire Chol Hamoed. As such one should drink wine daily according to Rav Moshe Feinstein (Responsa 1 in Sefer Chol Hamoed) and Rav Eliashev (Rav Chaim Kanievsky disagrees).

With regard to one who has an aversion to wine, he need not force himself to drink (Hagaon Rav Y.S. Elyashiv ztz”l, Mevakshei Torah, Yom Tov).

 

All Dressed Up

The Shulchan Aruch (ibid) writes: “As for the women, buy for them clothing and jewelry according to his means.” A simple reading of the Shulchan Aruch implies that one should purchase new clothing for the women of his family. We posed the question above: What if a woman has a brand new outfit from last Yom Tov. Does that suffice?

A cursory reading of some Rishonim sheds light on the nature of this obligation. The Chinuch (488) writes that women should be provided with what is fitting for them e.g.  nice clothing. Likewise the Rambam (ibid 17) makes no mention of new clothing. There are even authorities who deduce from the Gemora itself (Pesachim ibid) that there is no need to invest in new clothing if she has suitable outfits for Yom Tov. The Gemora distinguishes between the Bavel and Eretz Yisroel. In Bavel the women received colorful clothing, while in Eretz Yisroel they received well-ironed linen clothing. We may conclude that the ironed linen clothing were clothing that were ironed after previous use (see Chag b’Chag Yom Tov, also see Mishmeres Hamoed ibid 14). Hagaon Rav Shmuel Wosner ztz”l writes that if a woman already has a suitable wardrobe for Yom Tov, her husband should provide her with other means of simcha. However, Hagaon Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv ztz”l ruled that even if she already has clothes he should buy her something new as other types of gifts such as flowers do not suffice (Leket Hilchos Yom Tov 1:4)

Hagaon Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztz”l was asked. Could one fulfill the obligation of simchas Yom Tov through purchasing a home item such as a mixer? He responded that if the woman is particularly pleased with this and it brings her joy, then is acceptable. Interestingly, he said that is the case even if she won’t use it on this Yom Tov (i.e. Chol Hamoed, Shulchan Shlomo, see Mishmeres Hamoed ibid).

 

Roasted Grains vs. Ice Cream

The Shulchan Aruch (ibid), based on the Rambam (6:18), writes that one should give his children roasted grains and nuts. Not surprisingly the Rambam’s mention of roasted grains and nuts as the proposed path to a child’s pleasure might be outdated. In truth, the Gemora makes no mention of this and it is probably borrowed from the Gemora’s suggested method of maintaining children’s attention at the Pesach seder (Bach ibid). Indeed, the Rambam also explicitly mentions sweets and treats. As such everyone should provide for his children according to what they like.

 

Summary

Simchas Yom Tov is a Torah commandment.

Men should drink wine daily unless they have a particular aversion to it.

Eating meat is a desirable on Yom Tov though it is not obligatory.

The poskim differ as to whether chicken qualifies as meat in this halocha.

Women should be provided with special clothing for Yom Tov. The authorities differ as to whether she must receive something new each Yom Tov.

Some rule that even non-clothing items, such as appliances, qualify.

Children should be given treats according to their preference.

 

Wishing everyone a Happy Yom Tov.

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