Q. Dear Rabbi and our family friend. Are women included in the Mitzva of Simcha and Joy on Yom Tov? Do they also have to drink wine and eat meat as men do?
A. The Talmud (Pesachim 109a) teaches us that to fulfill this mitzvah, one must partake of the meat of the Korban Sh’lomim that was brought on Yom Tov. After the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, we are no longer able to fulfill the mitzvah of Simcha in this fashion.Therefore, we must resort to other means in order to bring about a state of also common joy and actual ordinary happiness. The Talmud (ibid) says that men should drink some wine and women should acquire new clothing for the Yom Tov. Shulchan Aruch (529: 2) based on the Rambam adds that children should have nuts and candies purchased for them. If we do so, we have fulfilled the mitzvah of Simchas Yom Tov. This mitzvah is applicable to Chol Hamoed as well. (Ramban, Laws of Yom Tov 6:17: Mishnah Brurah 529:2:16)
Shulchan Aruch writes that every woman is obligated in simcha, even unmarried and it isn't just an obligation upon her husband to gladden her. Chol Hamoed Kehilchato (ch. 1 fnt. 5) quotes the Aderet (Bnei Binyamin), Teshuvat Rabbi Akiva Eiger (1 addition), and Shagas Aryeh that women are obligated to eat meat for simchas Yom Tov. He says that although women are obligated to get a new piece of clothing for Simchas Yom Tov, that is only once over the entire holiday, however, meat applies every day.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Important Numbers
