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{{shortShort description|Obligatory festive meal}}
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A '''''seudat mitzvah''''' ({{lang-he-n|סעודת מצוה}}, "commanded meal"), in [[Judaism]], is an [[Halakha|obligatory]] festive meal, usually referring to the celebratory meal following the fulfillment of a ''[[mitzvah]]'' (commandment), such as a ''[[B'naiBar Mitzvahand bat mitzvah|bar mitzvah]]'', ''[[Bar and bat mitzvah|bat mitzvah]]'', a [[wedding]], a ''[[brit milah]]'' (ritual circumcision), or a ''[[siyum]]'' (completing a tractate of [[Talmud]] or [[Mishnah]]). ''Seudot'' fixed in the [[Hebrew calendar|calendar]] (i.e., for [[Jewish holidayholidays|holidays and fasts]]) are also considered ''seudot mitzvah'', but many have their own, more commonly used names.
 
==''Seudat Britbrit Milahmilah''==
Attendance at a ''[[brit milah]]'' (circumcision ceremony) and its subsequent ''seudah'' is of such great significance that [[Rabbi]] [[Moses Isserles|Moshe Isserles]] ("the Rama") notes that a Talmudic[[Talmud]]ic saying that one who is invited but does not participate in the ''seudat brit milah'' is ostracized by [[God in Judaism|God]].<ref>''[[Yoreh De'ah]]'' 265:12; see [[Babylonian Talmud]] ''[[Pesachim]]'' 113b; [[Tosafot]] ''Pesachim'' 114a s.v. "Veein"</ref> For this reason, people are generally not invited, but merely informed of the ''brit'''s time and location.<ref>[[Abraham Hirsch ben Jacob Eisenstadt]], of Byelostok|Pitchei Teshuva]] Yoreh Deah 265:18; ''[[Arukh HaShulkhan]]'' 265:37</ref> [[Chazal|Talmudic sages]] have compared a ''brit'' to a [[Korban|korban]] (Temple sacrifice]]), and eating at a ''seudat brit milah'' to eating a Temple sacrifice. [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic Jews]] generally insist on serving meat at a ''seudat brit milah'' since most Temple offerings were meat. Sharing a meal is considered a bonding experience celebrating the covenant between God and the [[Jew|Jewish peopleJews]].<ref>Rabbi Howard Jachter, [https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/minhagim-of-brit-milah-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter "Minhagim of Brit Milah"], ''Kol Torah'', accessed March 19, 2006.</ref>
 
==''Seudat Pidyon HaBenHaben''==
{{main|Pidyon HaBenhaben}}
Unlike other ''seudot mitzvah'' in which the meal (''seudah'') follows the act or ceremony which warrants the festive meal, the [[pidyon haben|]] or redemption ceremony]] for a first-born Jewish male child (called ''Pidyon HaBen'' in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]), is actually ''part'' of the meal. The ceremony is led by a [[kohen]], who ritually washes his hands, recites the blessing over bread, and partakes of some bread before beginning the ceremony. The ceremony, which follows a traditional text, is a verbal exchange between the kohen and the father of the child. The kohen asks the father if he prefers to keep his money, or pay the equivalent of five silver [[shekel]]s to redeem his child. The father chooses the latter option and hands over the money, as well as recites a special blessing ("''al pidyon haben''"). Then the '''kohen''' verbalizes the redemption, blesses the child, and says the traditional blessing over a cup of wine, which he then drinks. The ''seudat mitzvah'' continues with all guests in attendance washing for bread and partaking of the festive meal.
 
While attending the ''seudah'' for a ''Pidyonpidyon Haben''haben, the [[Vilna Gaon]] was asked whether it was true that all the Torah's commandments are alluded to in ''[[Bereishit (parsha)|Bereishit]]'', the first portion of the [[Torah]]. After the Gaon affirmed this, he was asked where the commandment of ''pidyon haben'' was alluded to and the Gaon replied that it was in the word ''BereishitBereshit'', the Hebrew initials which stand for ''Ben Rishon Achar Sheloshim Yom Tifdeh'' or "a firstborn son after thirty days redeem".<ref name=pidyon>Rabbi Dov Eliach, [httphttps://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5764/KRH64features.htm "Hashem's Torah is Perfect and Complete: The Vilna Gaon's Monumental Torah Edifice"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060728080649/httphttps://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5764/KRH64features.htm |date=2006-07-28 }}, ''Dei'ah veDibur'', accessed March 19, 2006</ref>
 
==''Seudat Bar Mitzvah''==
Rabbi [[Solomon Luria|Shlomo Luria]] ("Maharshal") notesnoted that the occasion of a youth becoming obligated to obey the [[613 mitzvot|the commandments]] is to be celebrated with a religious feast, usually including a sermon the youth has prepared.<ref>''Yam Shel Shlomo'', ''[[Bava Kamma]]'' 7:37</ref> It is customary at a ''[[bar mitzvah]]'' meal for parents to give thanks and praise to [[Names of God in Judaism|God]] for giving them the merit to raise a child to ''be a bar mitzvah'' and to educate him in the ways of [[Torah]] and the commandments.<ref name=chabad2>Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubo, [httphttps://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/bar-mitzvah/04.htm "Yalkut Bar Mitzvah: Bar Mitzvah Customs"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518194520/httphttps://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/bar-mitzvah/04.htm |date=2006-05-18 }}, Chabad Lubavitch, accessed March 16, 2006.</ref> Rabbi [[Ovadiah Yosef]]<ref>Yabia Omer 2:29</ref> holds that a Bat Mitzvah is also a seudat mitzvah.
 
==''Seudat Siyum Masechet''==
Based on the [[Talmud]] and [[Midrash]], the ''seudah'' celebration upon the completion of a Talmudic tractate is considered a ''seudat mitzvah''.<ref>''[[Solomon Luria|]], ''Yam Shel Shlomo]]'', ''Bava Kamma'', ''Merubah'' 37; ''Maharam Mintz'' 119; ''Shach'', ''[[Yoreh De'ah]]'' 246:37</ref> This ''seudah'' is made to rejoice over the accomplishment, and also to motivate and inspire others to do the same. Rabbi [[Chaim Elazar ShapiroSpira]], (the "Munkatcher [[Munkacs (Hasidic dynasty)|Munkacser Rebbe]]"), observesobserved in his work ''Sha'ar Yissachar'' that the [[Yetzeryetzer hara|evil inclination]] does not want to see this type of shared joy, noting that one of the names of the evil inclination, "[[Samael|Sama'el]]"," may be seen as an acronym for ''Siyum Masechet Ain La'asot'', or "do not make a ''siyum''".<ref name=siyum>Shlomo Katz, [httphttps://www.torah.org/learning/hamaayan/5763/matos.html "Matos-Masei: Power of Prayer"], Torah.org, accessed March 19, 2006.</ref>
 
==''Seudat HodaaHoda'ah''==
''Seudat HoDaaHoda'ah'' (Hebrew: {{lang-he|סעודת הודיה}})<ref>sometimes called Seudat HoDaYa {{cite web
|url=https://www.aish.com/f/hotm/99828029.html
|title=At the bottom of the pool}}</ref> literally means a meal of thanksgiving.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Testimonials |url=httphttps://www.fromcancertohealth.com/testimonials}}</ref>
 
At a public meal<ref>".. as a Seudas Hodaa for his recovery .." {{cite web
|url=httphttps://www.kewgardenssynagogue.org/assets/072917.pdf
|title=Kew Gardens Synagogue}}</ref> that is given to recognize the good -– [[Hakarat HaTov]] -– the beneficiary gives something to others -– the ability to say blessings -– [[Berakhah|Brachot]].
 
==''Seudat Nissuinnissuin''==
During the festive meal, ''[[Seudatseudat Nissuin|festive mealnissuin]]'' following a [[Jewish view of marriage|Jewish wedding ceremony]] ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''Nissuin''), guests participate in the [[mitzvah]] (commandment) of ''L'Sameach Chatan v'Kallah'', to bring joy to the groom and bride. The emphasis of the celebration is on entertaining the newlyweds. At [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] wedding meals, men and women dance separately -– sometimes separated by a ''[[mechitza|divider]]'' -("divider") – for reasons of ''[[tzniut|modesty]]'' (modesty). At the end of the ''seudat nissuin'', [[Birkat HaMazon|]] (Grace After Meals]]) is recited, and the ''Sheva Berachot'' (seven blessings) that were recited under the ''[[Chupah|chupah]]'' (wedding canopy]]) are repeated.
 
==''Seudat Havraahhavraah''==
''Seudat Havraahhavraah'' is the "meal of consolation" or comfort provided for a mourner upon his or her return from the cemetery following interment of the deceased.<ref name=mourning>Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner, [httphttps://www.aishdas.org/webshas/avel/seudah.htm "Initial Meal Post-Burial - Seudat Havraah"], AishDas, accessed March 16, 2006.</ref> It usually consists of foods symbolic of life such as boiled eggs and lentil soup. The [[Talmud]] states that the lentil stew [[Jacob]] was preparing ([[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 25:29), and for which [[Esau]] sold his birthright, was the ''seudat havraah'' for his father [[Isaac]] who was beginning to sit ''[[Shiva (Judaism)|shiva]]'' for ''his'' father [[Abraham]].<ref>''[[Bava Batra]]'' 16b</ref>
 
==''Seudat Shabbat'' and ''Seudat Yom Tov''==
{{See also|Shabbat meals}}
These include three meals on [[Shabbat|the Sabbath]], as well as two (dinner and lunch) on each festival day making four each (outside Israel) for [[Shavuot]], [[Rosh HaShana]], [[Sukkot]], two each for [[Shemini Atzeret#Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah|Shemini Atzeret]] and [[Shemini Atzeret#Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah|Simchat Torah]], eight (outside Israel) for [[Passover]]. The [[Passover Seder]]s are ''seudot mitzvah''. Except for ''[[Seudah Shlishit]]'' (the "third meal" of Shabbat) all of these meals are preceded by ''[[Kiddush]]'' (the blessing, made over wine, recognizing the holiness of the day). If one recites ''Kiddush'', Jewish law states that one must immediately eat the ''seudah'' in the same place that he heard/recited ''Kiddush''.<ref>''Talmud Bavli'', [[Moed|''Pesachim'']] 101a</ref> At Shabbat meals, it is customary to sing ''[[Zemirot]]'' (songs), learn [[Torah]] (as at meals in general) and discuss the week's [[parsha|portion of Scripture]].
 
==''Seudah HaMafseket''==
''Seudah HaMafseket''<ref>Alt. Seuda mafseket</ref> is the "separating meal" eaten before the fasts of [[Yom Kippur]] and [[Tisha B'Av]].
 
The pre-Yom Kippur meal is a festive meal, which may include meat.<ref name=yomkippur>[httphttps://www.njop.org/html/YKPrepare.html "Yom Kippur: How We Prepare"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103215947/httphttps://www.njop.org/html/YKPrepare.html |date=2005-11-03 }}, National Jewish Outreach Program, accessed March 16, 2006.</ref>
 
At the pre-Tisha B'Av meal it is forbidden to eat meat, wine, or more than one cooked food.<ref>[[Mishna]], ''[[Taanit]]'' 26b; [[Babylonian Talmud]] Taanit 30a</ref> [[Alcoholic beverage]]s should be avoided. The meal is eaten sitting on the ground or a low seat. It is customary to eat a hardboiled egg, and also a piece of bread dipped into ashes, and to say, "This is the Tisha B'Av meal." During the meal, three men should not sit together so they will not have to recite the [[Birkat Hamazon|Grace after Meals]] as a group. None of these restrictions apply when Tisha B'Av occurs on [[Shabbat]] or Sunday.<ref name=tishabav>[httphttps://www.ou.org/yerushalayim/tishabav/tishabav.html "Tisha B'Av (The Ninth of Av)"], Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, accessed March 16, 2006.</ref><ref name=tishabav2>[httphttps://www.ahavat-israel.com/torat/tishabeav.php "Tisha BeAv: The Fast of the Ninth of Av"], Ahavat Israel, accessed March 16, 2006.</ref><ref>Taanis,29b: see Rashi</ref>
 
==Seudat Purim==
[[Image:Purim painting Safed.png|thumb|300px|Purim painting, untitled. Safed, Israel, 19th century. Hasidic Jews celebrating Purim with a Sephardic Jew (left). The inscription is part of a passage from the Talmud urging Jews to imbibe enough alcohol so that they will not know the difference between the phrases “cursed"cursed is Haman”Haman" and “blessed"blessed is Mordechai.”" ]]
 
On [[Purim]] day, typically toward evening, a festive meal called ''Seudat Purim'' is held, with wine as a prominent beverage, where drunkenness is not uncommon. The custom of drinking at this meal stems from a statement in the Talmud attributed to a rabbi named Rava that says one should drink on Purim until he can "no longer distinguish between ''arur Haman'' ('Cursed is Haman') and ''baruch Mordechai'' ('Blessed is Mordecai')." The reason Rava instituted the custom of drinking wasmay likelyhave been as a critique of treating Mordecai as a hero, instead of a villain.<ref>{{cite webnews|last1=Eliach|first1=Ayalon|title=Mordechai the villain: The untold story of drinking on Purim|url=httphttps://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/the-jewish-thinker/.premium-1.644369|publishernewspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> Another view is that these phrases have the same [[gematria|numerical value]], and some authorities, including the ''Be'er Hagolah'' and ''[[Avraham Gombiner|Magen Avraham]]'', have ruled that one should drink wine until he is unable to calculate these numerical values.)
 
This saying was codified in the [[Isaac Alfasi|Rif]], [[Asher ben Jehiel|Rosh]], ''[[Jacob ben Asher|Tur]]'', ''[[Shulchan Aruch]]'' (''[[Orach Chayim]]'' 695), and is interpreted simply (as explained above) by the ''[[Chatam Sofer]]''. This interpretation of the Talmudic statement, or the acceptance of the statement itself, is disputed (for various reasons) by the [[Tosafists|''Ba'alei Tosafot'']] (based on the [[Jerusalem Talmud]]), [[Maimonides]], Rabbeinu Ephraim, ''Ba'al HaMa'or'', [[Nissim of Gerona|Ran]], ''Orchot Chaim'', ''Be'er Hagolah'', ''[[Avraham Gombiner|Magen Avraham]]'', ''[[David HaLevi Segal|Taz]]'', [[Moses Isserles|Rema]], [[Vilna Gaon]], [[Maharsha]], Rashash, ''Tzeidah LaDerech'', ''[[Haggahot Maimuniyyot|Hagahot Maimoniyot]]'', Ra'avyah, ''Korban N'tan'el'', ''[[Yoel Sirkis|Bach]]'', [[Israel Isserlin|Maharil]], ''P'ri M'gadim'', ''Kol Bo'', ''Chochmat Mano'ach'', ''[[Mishnah Berurah]]'' (by the Chafetz Chaim), and others. These authorities all advocate drinking wine in some quantity, but all (excepting ''Hagahot Maimoniyot'' and Ra'avyah) discourage the level of drunkenness suggested by the ''Chatam Sofer''. The Rema says that one should only drink a little more than he is used to drinking, and then try to fall asleep (whereupon he certainly will not be able to tell the difference between the two phrases indicated by the Talmud). This position is shared by the ''Kol Bo'' and ''[[Mishnah Berurah]]'', and is similar to that of Maimonides.
 
==See also==
{{portalPortal|Food|Judaism}}
* [[Shabbat meals]]
* [[Seudah Shlishit]]
* [[Melaveh malkah]]
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[[Category:Bar and bat mitzvah]]
[[Category:Gratitude]]
[[Category:Hebrew words and phrases in Jewish law]]▼
[[Category:Jewish ceremonial food and drink]]
[[Category:Jewish festive meals]]
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