Halakhah su Deuteronomio 27:7

The question has its roots in the issue of whether or not there exists a requirement for eating meat in conjunction with the Yom Tov meal.¹⁶That question is more fully discussed in this writer’s Contemporary Halakhic Problems, III (New York, 1989), 246–256. Cf. also R. Moshe Sternbuch, Mo‘adim u-Zemanim, VIII, no. 111. As recorded by the Gemara, Pesaḥim 109a, during the period in which sacrifices were offered, the commandment to "rejoice before the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 27:7) was fulfilled by males in partaking of the meat of peace-offerings to which reference is made in that verse. Tosafot, Yoma 3a, and Rabbenu Nissim, Sukkah 42b, maintain that, even during the days of the Temple, eating meat on Yom Tov was not an absolute requirement; rather, as characterized by Rabbenu Nissim, eating meat was merely the optimal mode of fulfilling the obligation. Citing a further statement of the Gemara, Pesaḥim 109a, Ritva, Kiddushin 3b, and Teshuvot Rashbash, no. 176, rule that, following the destruction of the Temple, "there is no rejoicing other than with wine."¹⁷Rif, Pesaḥim 109a, and Rosh, Pesaḥim 10:22, fail to mention a need for partaking of meat and record only the statement found in Pesaḥim 109a with regard to wine. Magen Avraham, Oraḥ Ḥayyim 249:6, cites the opinion of Levush to the effect that, subsequent to the destruction of the Temple, meat is not required. Similarly, in a comment included in the glosses of Ḥatam Sofer to Shulḥan Arukh, Magen Avraham, Oraḥ Ḥayyim 249:6, R. Abraham Samuel Benjamin Sofer rules that meat is not a necessary condition of “rejoicing” subsequent to the destruction of the Temple. This also appears to be the view of Sha’agat Aryeh, no. 65. On the other hand, Rambam, Sefer ha-Mizvot, mizvot aseh, no. 54 and Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Yom Tov 6:18, followed by Tur Shulḥan Arukh, Oraḥ Hayyim 529, regards the eating of meat on Yom Tov as mandatory even in our day.¹⁸Rambam, Hilkhot Megillah 2:15, similarly rules that the obligation with regard to the Purim repast can be fulfilled only with meat. Among latter-day authorities, Magen Avraham, Oraḥ Hayyim 696:15, states that, subsequent to the destruction of the Temple, there is no obligation to eat meat on festivals.¹⁹See also Bet Yosef, Oraḥ Ḥayyim 529. Mishnah Berurah 529:2, Bi’ur Halakhah, s.v., keiẓad, states that the eating of meat on Yom Tov in our day is not mandatory but that it nevertheless constitutes fulfillment of a miẓvah. That statement is, however, contradicted by two other comments of the same authority, Magen Avraham, Oraḥ Hayyim 249:6 and Oraḥ Hayyim 529:3, in which he affirms the existence of such an obligation even in our day.²⁰For an attempt to resolve that contradiction see Darkei Teshuvah, Yoreh De‘ah 89:19 and R. Chaim Eleazar Shapiro, Nimukei Oraḥ Ḥayyim 529:2. See also R. Jacob Ettlinger, Arukh la-Ner, Sukkah 42b; Darkei Teshuvah 89:19; and R. Ovadiah Yosef, Yeḥaveh Da‘at, VI, no. 33.

R. Judah ben Beteira declared, "During the time that the Temple existed there was no 'rejoicing' other than with meat as it is said, 'and you shall slaughter peace-offerings and you shall eat there; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God' (Deuteronomy 27:7)."

The commandment to rejoice on the festivals: To rejoice on the festivals, as it is stated (Deuteronomy 16:14), "And you shall rejoice on your holiday." And the first matter that is hinted in joy is that we offer peace-offerings regardless at the Choice House. And [this] is like the matter that is written (Deuteronomy 27:7), "And you shall offer peace-offerings" and it continues, "and you shall rejoice on your holiday." And [concerning] the offering of peace-offerings, they, may their memory be blessed, said (Chagigah 6b), "Women are obligated in joy" - meaning that even they are obligated to bring peace-offerings of joy. And they, may their memory be blessed, also said (Chagigah 8a), "Rejoice in all types of rejoicing." And included in this is the eating of meat and the drinking of wine, to wear new clothes, the distribution of fruit and types of sweets to the youths and the women and to play musical instruments in the Temple alone - and that is the joy of the drawing house (simchat beit hashoeva) that is mentioned in the Gemara (Sukkah 50a). All that we mentioned is included in "And you shall rejoice on your holiday." And they, may their memory be blessed, said in Tractate Pesachim 109a, "A man is obligated to gladden his children and the members of his household on a festival." And it is said there, "It was taught, Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says, 'At the time when the Temple is standing, joy is only with meat, as it is stated (Deuteronomy 27:7), "And you shall offer peace-offerings, etc." Now [...] joy is only with wine, as it is stated (Psalms 104:15), "And wine gladdens the heart of man."'" And they said further, "With what should one make them rejoice? Men with what is fit for them, with wine. And women with what is fit for them, with nice clothes." And the Torah also warned us to include the poor and the strangers (converts) and the weak in the joy, as it is stated (Deuteronomy 16:14), "you, the Levite, the stranger, the orphan and the widow."