Question: Is one obligated to eat red meat on the holidays of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot?
Answer: The Gemara (Chagigah 8b) states that “there is no joy without red meat.” This means that in order to fulfill the Mitzvah of being joyful during the festivals, one must eat red meat. This Mitzvah applies to all three festivals: Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Nevertheless, the great Rishonim disagree whether or not this law applies nowadays. The Tosafot (Mo’ed Kattan 14b) write that this law applied only when the Bet Hamikdash stood and the meat we eat today, which is not the meat of the Korbanot (offerings) eaten during those times, is not included in this Mitzvah of eating meat on the holidays. The Magen Avraham (Chapter 696) rules likewise. On the other hand, the Rambam (Chapter 6 of Hilchot Yom Tov) rules that the Mitzvah of eating red meat on the holidays applies nowadays as well. The great Maharshal explains in his Yam Shel Shlomo (Chapter 2 of Betzah) that although this Mitzvah was fulfilled in its most complete fashion when the Bet Hamikdash stood by eating the meat of the Korbanot, the element of joy remains even when one eats even regular meat.
Nevertheless, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l writes (in his Chazon Ovadia- Yom Tov, page 319) that although the primary Mitzvah applies to red meat, if one cannot eat red meat due to health of Kashrut concerns, one may fulfill this Mitzvah by eating chicken or other poultry.
Maran zt”l adds, quoting the Rambam, that one should nonetheless not overindulge in meat wine throughout the course of Yom Tov, for this causes needless frivolity and this is not the Mitzvah of joy on Yom Tov about which the Torah commanded us. Rather, we were commanded to be joyful in a way that is conducive to serving Hashem.
Many people customarily eat dairy foods during the Shavuot holiday. Those who do so should take care to serve meat at some of the holiday meals and eat dairy during other times. For instance, on Shavuot morning after prayers dairy can be served, while meat should be served for the night meals.
It is likewise a Mitzvah to gladden one’s wife with nice clothing and jewelry and one’s children with sweets and drinks they enjoy.
