Devar/5770/Shemini Atseret
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עברית
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And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast (Deut 16:14)
What is being referred to here? On the one hand, the Torah is talking about the bringing of additional peace-offerings beyond the required (Laws of Festival Offerings 1:4). Since we do not currently have the ability to bring such offerings, is the commandment of "rejoicing" nullified? No! There is still a commandment of "rejoicing" -- the "family celebration" -- such that men drink wine and eat meat, women receive new clothes and jewelry, and children get treats and so forth (Laws of Holiday Rest 6:16).
But in that same law, he adds: And when he eats and drinks, he must feed the convert, the orphan and the widow as well as all other destitute and miserable people. But he who locks his courtyard doors, and only he and his children and wife eat and drink -- and doesn't feed or give drink to the poor and embittered -- that is not the "rejoicing" of the commandment, but rather the "rejoicing" of his own stomach.
Another side to "rejoicing": Who is rich? The one who is happy with his lot (Mishna Avoth 4:1). What does that mean? That whatever the righteous person has, he got honestly and by his own efforts -- and he knows that he didn't oppress or steal from anyone, so that whatever he has is justly his. Therefore, whether he has much or little, he is happy with his lot. When he eats his holiday meal, he doesn't eat by himself, rather he invites one less fortunate, and makes him a partner in his lot, and gladdens him -- and thereby he gladdens his Creator may He be blessed, and in that way worships God with the most complete holiday joy.
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