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Q&A: There Is No Joy Except with Meat and Wine

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Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.

There Is No Joy Except with Meat and Wine.

Question

I see this saying as describing a situation in which most people rejoice in meat and wine and derive pleasure from them, but not as a “law of nature” that they inherently produce joy. The matter of pleasure is measured subjectively; each person takes pleasure in different things. I also infer this from the permission to fast because of a disturbing dream, since that gives a person relief and is therefore permitted. I also see this permission as a guiding principle for diets, detoxes, unpleasant allergies, and giving up gluten with respect to the requirement of two loaves, etc. I am not talking about a dangerous allergy. It is clear to me that veganism and vegetarianism for moral reasons are even more compelling, because of causing suffering to animals. But I do not even need that; it is enough that this is what the person wants, and not fulfilling his wish would violate the commandment of pleasure and Sabbath joy. I understand that such a person would have to fulfill the obligation regarding the two loaves by listening to someone else. For those who like wordplay, the opposite of pleasure is affliction. How do you see the matter? Thanks in advance.

Answer

Agreed. That is how many have inferred from Maimonides regarding the law of enjoyment on a Jewish holiday.

Discussion on Answer

Abraham (2025-07-04)

Who are those many?

Michi (2025-07-04)

You can search online or in the Frankel index.

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