Q. Dear Rabbi Shlit’a. Is it an obligation to eat a Seuda meal on Issru Chag, the day after Yom Tov ended? (Sunday May 24 2026)
A. On a similar question (4477) We wrote:
Q. Is it important to celebrate Issru Chag (the day after Yom Tov) with a special meal?
On question 3675 we were asked the following. “We often have our children and their families staying with us for Pesach and leaving the day after traveling home. Is it worth it to celebrate with them a seuda or special meal before they leave on Isisru Chag? Would that be a Seudas Mitzva?”
To what we answered. “Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 429: 1) writes that it is tradition to add a bit to the eating and drinking on Issru Chag. It is considered as if one built the Mizbeach and sacrificed on it all Korbonos.
There are different reasons for this particular tradition. Chassam Sofer (ibid) explains that it commemorates the joy of the people who came to Yerushalayim and now after complying and enjoying so much the Yom Tov, were ready to return home. Torah Lishma (140) quotes Arizal that the Kedusha and holiness of Yom Tov is still felt on that day.
He also quotes Yerushalmi (Avoda Zarah 1: 1) that Isisru Chag is called ‘Briah Demoado,’ or the child of Yom Tov. (See Nitei Gavriel 22: 4.)
Horav Dovid Pam’s opinion is that since after all Shulchan Aruch mentions only to add a bit to the food one eats, if the visiting children are pressed to return home, as often is, it may be better to avoid it.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should follow the traditions of one’s family.”
See next question.
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
