Question:
Is it actually considered to be halacha for one to eat fish or meat on Shabbos in order to fulfill the mitzvah of honoring the Shabbos? For instance, is a vegetarian or someone who does not enjoy the taste of meat obligated to eat it on Shabbos? So too, is it compulsory for one to drink wine?
Answer:
It states in the Navi to “call the Shabbos a day of delight,” and as a reward, we will “delight in G-d” in the time to come. But what exactly is defined as “delight”? The rabbis of the Talmud determined that at least one major component of delight is by food and drink. In their days, a fine meal meant a big fish. In later times, meat usurped the place of honor of fish. Does that mean that today we must eat meat on Shabbos in order to feel the “delight” that is referred to?
Halacha is defined by the halachic authorities, therefore, to answer the question we can look at what the
Shulchan Aruch HaRav says about eating meat on Shabbos. The Shulchan Aruch sums up the halachah as follows: There is no halachic obligation to eat meat or drink wine on Shabbos. Rather, since it is assumed that most people take more pleasure in eating fish and meat than in other foods, and in drinking wine more than other drinks, therefore they should increase in consuming meat and wine on Shabbos according to their means. In other words, what exactly the menu should consist of is entirely up to the tastes of the individual, with the stipulation that it be the best he can afford and according to his tastes of course. The main thing is how you enjoy a meal—not how others think you should enjoy it. On the contrary, for people who do not enjoy eating fish or meat or drinking wine, doing so is going against the obligation to “delight” oneself on Shabbos. It would be preferable for them to eat something less expensive that they really enjoy.There is another obligation to drink wine however, is not merely to fulfill the mitzvah for one to enjoy himself on Shabbos, but the obligation to sanctify the Shabbos and make kiddush. One must perform kiddush upon at least a reviis and the kiddush cup should be full (if a person is afraid of spilling it is sufficient that it is almost full such as leaving it a quarter of an inch below the top) Although wine is the best option to make kiddush upon, Grape juice is sufficient too. In cases where one really cannot drink even Grape juice there are other options, however, it is preferable to drink Wine or Grape juice if possible for the mitzvah of making Kiddush on Shabbos. If one doesn’t have wine on Friday night, kiddush should be recited on the bread and one should keep one’s hands on the bread throughout the kiddush. If there’s no wine available for Shabbos lunch one should use Chamar Medina for kiddush e.g in some places coffee is adequate. If one doesn’t even have Chamar Medina, one should just say hamotzi and eat the bread. Both men and women are equally obligated to make kiddush before eating the Shabbos meals. If wine tastes like wine but smells like vinegar then it is permissible for making kiddush, but if wine tastes like vinegar but smells like wine then it is prohibited for making kiddush |