Shavuot – The Obligation to Celebrate and Rejoice

The holiday of Shavuot is included among the three "Regalim" ("pilgrimage festivals"), when there is an obligation of Simcha – to rejoice and be festive. The Gemara says that according to all views among the Sages, there is an obligation to enjoy oneself on Shavuot. Beyond the spiritual enjoyment that we experience by studying Torah, there is also a Halachic obligation to rejoice through physical enjoyment. The Sages teach that for men, this means indulging in meat and wine. Although there is a widespread custom to eat some dairy meals on Shavuot, one should make a point of eating meat on Shavuot, as well. One can fulfill this obligation with red meat, which resembles the meat of the sacrifices that were brought in the Bet Ha’mikdash on the holidays, or even with poultry, if that is what he enjoys, even though it does not technically qualify as "meat." If a person does not enjoy meat and wine, then he should eat whatever foods and drinks he enjoys. There is certainly no Mitzvah on Yom Tov to eat foods that one does not enjoy. One is also obligated to make his children happy on Yom Tov. The writes that this is done by giving them treats, candies and the like. The Mitzvah also requires making one’s wife joyous, and the Rambam writes that one should purchase new clothing or jewelry for his wife before the festival. If one’s wife does not need new clothing or jewelry, then he should buy her other gifts, even fine foods, and the like. It is proper to immerse in a Mikveh on Erev Shavuot to purify oneself in honor of the festival and in honor of the commemoration of Matan Torah.

 By Rabbi Eli Mansour