Question:
To be mekayem the mitzvah of simchas yom tov, does one need to drink specifically wine, or can it be any alcoholic beverage? If it can be anything, does it have to be a revi’is, or any amount?
Answer:
According to R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l one has to drink specifically wine.
There are different opinions if you need a revi’is of wine or any amount is enough.
If one can be yotza with beer or whiskey is questionable, according to some opinion one may be yotza with it. One does not have to drink a revi’is of whiskey in order to be yotza.
Sources:
Nimukei Orach Chaim- Ukatz 529-2, that less than a revi’is doesn’t make a person happy. It is also brought in the name of R’ Eliyashev zt”l that it is a revi’is. However in Chut Shani Yom Tov 22-1, that any amount of wine makes a persno happy. Also in Leket HIlchos Yom Tov 1 ftnt. 2 ( R’ Dunner shlit”a) in the name of R’ Vozner zt”l and R’ C. Kanievsky shlit”a.
See Teshuvos of R’ Moshe in back of Hilchos Chol Hamoed. Chol Hamoed K’hilchoso 1 ftnt. 25, Piskei Teshuvos 529 ftnt 30
