The Shavuos Day Meal

The custom of eating dairy foods on the first day of Shavuos is first mentioned by the Rishonim.

In Shulchan Oruch, the Rema[1] presents the following explanation for this minhag: Just as we place two cooked items on the seder plate on Pesach as a remembrance of the korban Pesach and korban chagigah, so too on Shavuos we eat a dairy meal followed by a meat meal as a remembrance of the shtei halechem.[2] Since each meal requires its own loaf of bread[3], this results in two loaves being used, thereby serving as a remembrance of the shtei halechem offering brought on Shavuos.

The Magen Avraham notes that since these loaves commemorate the shtei halechem, which were made from wheat, it is appropriate that the challah used on Shavuos be made specifically from wheat.

Based on the above explanation of the Rema, the dairy meal is not intended to replace the fleishig meal, but rather to complement it.

Other reasons for the custom to eat dairy are cited in the Poskim, which place the emphasis on the dairy itself, rather than on the structure of two separate meals as described by the Rema.

Eating a Second Fleishig Meal

Let us examine this question more closely: is there, in fact, an obligation to eat a fleishig meal on Shavuos, or may one suffice with a single dairy seudah (setting aside the minhag cited by the Rema)?

The Torah commands us: “V’samachta b’chagecha”.[4] This means that one is obligated to rejoice on the festivals. What form does this obligation take?

The Gemara[5] teaches that simcha is expressed through eating meat and drinking wine. At first glance, this would suggest a Biblical obligation to partake of both on Yom Tov. However, the Rishonim debate whether this remains true in our times. The Rambam[6] maintains that the mitzvah of simcha is fulfilled through eating meat even today. Tosafos[7], by contrast, holds that the fulfillment of simcha through meat applied specifically to the consumption of korbonos; nowadays, the mitzvah is fulfilled through drinking wine.

Halachically, the view of Tosafos is accepted[8]: there is a chiyuv to drink wine, but no chiyuv to eat meat. Nevertheless, the Poskim[9] emphasize that eating meat remains a “mitzvah” – as the Torah still associates meat with simcha.

It is important to note that the mitzvah of simcha through meat is fulfilled specifically as part of a seudah. One should therefore wash for bread and eat the meat within the context of a bread meal.[10] Accordingly, many Poskim[11] write that it is best to have a fleishig seudah on Shavuos just like on any other Yom Tov.

In conclusion: If someone is planning to eat a milchig seudah, they should also eat a fleishig seudah (after waiting the required amount of time), in fulfilment of the mitzva of simcha. This is especially so according to the Rema, who understood the whole idea as being about eating two seudos.

[1] O”C 494:3.

[2] Vayikra 23:17 This was a special korbon brought on Shavuos. It was the first korbon of the year to be brought from the new grain.

[3] See Magen Avraham OC 494:8. The same bread may not be used for a dairy and meat meal, as residue may transfer between them.

[4] Devarim 16:14.

[5] Pesachim 109a.

[6] Mitzvas Asei 54. Hilchos Yomtov 6:18.

[7] Pesachim 109a – D”H Bameh.

[8] Shulchan Oruch HaRav 529:7. Mishna Berurah 529:11 and Biur Halacha 529 – D”H Keitzad.

[9] See previous footnote.

[10] Rosh Brachos 7:23 (and Maadanei Yomtov on the Rosh there #7). Shulchan Oruch HaRav 188:10.

[11] Rema O”C 494:3. Shulchan Oruch HaRav 494:16.