Dairy Meal On Shavuot?

The Daily Halacha Moment - Eating Dairy On Shavuot 🧀

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

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Question:

Where does the custom of eating Dairy on Shavuot come from?

Shouldn't one eat meat since that is Simchat Yom Tov?

Answer:

It is customary to eat dairy products on Shavuot. According to some opinions, this custom commemorates Mattan Torah, during which Bnei Yisrael were commanded the mitzvot of shechitah and kashrut (i.e., the laws regarding eating milk and meat together), and since none of their pots or pans were kosher, they were only permitted to eat dairy. [1] According to other opinions, the reason we eat dairy on Shavuot is to demonstrate our observance of the laws of basar bechalav, not mixing milk and meat. The angels, however, did not observe these laws when they visited Avraham Avinu, and this is why Hashem did not give them the Torah. [2] Some also have a custom to eat honey and milk together, since the Torah is compared to both, as it says in Shir HaShirim, “Devash vechalav tachat leshonech — Honey and milk under your tongue.” [3]

However, one should make a point to eat meat on Yom Tov, as there is an obligation of Simchat Yom Tov. [4] Nonetheless, to fulfill the custom of eating dairy on Shavuot, it is sufficient to eat even a small amount, such as ice cream or yogurt; there is no need to have a full dairy meal. [5]

After eating dairy, one should not eat meat at the same table unless the table has been completely cleared. Preferably, a new tablecloth should be placed. [6]

Likewise, one may not eat meat at the same table as someone eating dairy unless a distinct object is placed between them as a reminder not to share food. This object must be noticeable and not usually found on the table. Alternatively, one may eat on a placemat while the other eats directly on the table.[7]

Sources:

[1]. Rama 494:3; Mishnah Berurah 494:12. See also Chazon Ovadia, Yom Tov, p. 318.

[2]. Midrash Shocher Tov, Tehillim, ch. 8. See also Magen Avraham §6 for another reason.

[3]. Shir HaShirim 4:11. See Kaf HaChaim §60.

[4]. The Rambam (Yom Tov 6:18) rules that the mitzvah of Simchat Yom Tov is fulfilled through the consumption of meat and wine. See also Chazon Ovadia, Yom Tov, p. 319; Yechaveh Daat 6:33; and Shulchan Aruch, siman 529.

The Bach 529, however, explains that although there is no obligation to eat meat nowadays, there still is a mitzvah to do so, and one would fulfill the Mitzvah of Simcha thereby. The Magen Avraham 529:3, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 529:7, Mishnah Berurah 529:11, and Kaf HaChaim 529:28 agree.

[5]. Ohr LeTzion, vol. 3, 18:11, in the footnote. See also Halichot Shlomo, Shavuot, ch. 12, footnote 49, which states that Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach would eat a small dairy meal after Kiddush, wait thirty minutes, and then eat his regular Yom Tov meal. Regarding eating dairy on the second day of Shavuot, see Yom Tov Sheni KeHilchato 1:71, which states that some have the custom to eat dairy as well.

[6]. See Birkei Yosef, Shiyurei Berachah, Y.D 89:35, which states that since these days one does not eat off the table, but rather with a plate, one does not need a new tablecloth. See also Kaf HaChaim, Y.D. 89:67. However, Yalkut Yosef, Y. D. 89:67 states that one should at least make sure that the table is clean. In any case, it is certainly praiseworthy to change the tablecloth.

[7]. See Shulchan Aruch, Y.D., siman 88.

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