Hi,
Why do we customarily eat dairy on Shavuot?
Numerous reasons are suggested, including:
- To ensure that we will
have two distinct cooked foods, like the egg and zroa of the seder
plate, since we will have a dairy meal for the custom, and a meat meal for
the general mitzvah of eating meat on Yom Tov. Also, this will provide two
loaves of bread, parallel to the shtei halechem - two loaves of bread brought as a korban
on Shavuos. (Rama Orach Chaim 494:3, and see Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim
1:160)
- After the Torah was
given, the Jews would have needed many steps to make a meat meal, both in
preparing the meat and in preparing new utensils. Therefore, they made a
dairy meal, which required fewer steps. (Mishneh Berurah 494:12)
- Shir haShirim 4:11,
"Honey and milk are beneath your tongue", is explained to refer
to Torah. (Mishneh Berurah 494:13; and see Devarim Rabbah 7:3)
According to Rama (Yoreh Deah 97:1), some people actually make their
bread dairy for the dairy meal of Shavuos. Even though we are normally
prohibited from making dairy bread [lest one eat it with meat], this is not a
concern at the dairy meal of Shavuos, since a limited quantity is prepared, and
for a limited time.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
No comments:
Post a Comment