Q&A: Defining Joy
Defining Joy
Question
Honorable Rabbi, could you expand on the definition of the essence of joy? In definitional terms, what is joy בכלל? (Does pleasure belong under joy?) And what is the obligation specifically on Sukkot to rejoice—does the requirement to rejoice with meat and wine, or by buying jewelry, still apply? (My wife isn’t impressed by that.)
Answer
First of all, joy is what is usually defined as joy (and not in the Brisker style). Simply to rejoice. The halakhic decisors wrote that meat and wine still apply, but when we no longer have peace-offerings it is quite clear that the meat became a means. And if that doesn’t make you happy, then rejoice in some other way. And the same certainly applies to jewelry. There is no law inherent in the object that one must buy jewelry. And if in the end you found and married a sensible woman, why spoil her?