About Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz served as Director of Programs for NCSY before becoming Associate Director of the Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue Services. Rabbi Abramowitz holds degrees in Jewish studies, communications and Higher Education Administration. Among his accomplishments, he authored NCSY's Torah on One Foot series of educational pamphlets and created negiah.org, the first abstinence web site for Jewish teens. Rabbi Abramowitz is the author of The Shnayim Mikra Companion on Torah, The Nach Yomi Companion volumes 1 and 2 on the books of the Prophets and the Writings, and The Tzniyus Book.

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Taryag: A Mitzvah a Day

Questions? Contact us at taryag@ou.org

PARSHAT Re'eh
MITZVAH COUNTER
Mitzvos to date: 488
Positives:201
Negatives:287
That can be performed today:212
Plus those that can be performed only in Israel:22

488. Don’t Worry, Be Happy : The obligation to rejoice on the Festivals


You shall rejoice on your Festival… (Deuteronomy 16:14)

We may say “ivdu es Hashem b’simcha” (“serve God with joy” - Psalms 100:2) and “mitzvah gedolah lihiyos b’simcha tamid” (“it is a great mitzvah to always be happy” – Rabbi Nachman of Breslov) but there is a special mitzvah for us to rejoice on the three Festivals of Pesach, Succos and Shavuos.

Of course, there's a definition to "rejoicing," so we're not left on our own to ad-lib what it might entail. First and foremost, we rejoice by offering a korban shelamim (“peace offering”) at the Temple. Next, it means to eat meat, to drink wine, to wear new clothes and other things that we now naturally associate with a Yom Tov spirit. (If you’re a vegetarian and eating meat is not a pleasurable experience for you, consult your rabbi.) A person should likewise strive to ensure the happiness of his family members on Yom Tov. Finally, we should remember to facilitate rejoicing among the poor, travelers away from home, and converts (who do not have Jewish families with whom to celebrate the holidays).

The reason for this mitzvah is that, just like we need food, rest and exercise in the proper amounts, it’s important for us to get our recommended amount of joy. Rather than leaving it up to us to rejoice - perhaps frivolously and inappropriately - at any old time, God made it a mitzvah for us to rejoice in certain contexts for His sake. This type of rejoicing therefore creates a positive, healing balm for the soul. (And what better times than the Festivals which, as the name implies, ought to be festive?)

This mitzvah applies in all times and places. It is discussed in the Talmud in tractates Pesachim (109a), Chagigah (6a) and Kiddushin (34a-b). It is codified in the Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim 529. This mitzvah is #54 of the 248 positive mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos and #21 of the 77 positive mitzvos that can be performed today as listed in the Sefer HaMitzvos HaKatzar of the Chofetz Chaim.



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