The Mitzvah:[1]
It is a Biblical positive command and obligation for one to rejoice and be of happy spirit throughout all days of Yom Tov, including Chol Hamoed, with exception to Rosh Hashana.[2] This obligation applies to oneself, his wife, his children and his entire household [even non-relatives[3]]. The head of the household is responsible for rejoicing his household during this time.
How does one rejoice himself and his family?[4]
Men: Men [includes oneself and his adult male household members[5]] are obligated to drink wine [every day of Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed[6]] in order to fulfill their Mitzvah of Simcha.[7] One who does not drink wine does not fulfill the command. In addition to drinking wine, there is also a [Biblical[8]] Mitzvah, although not an obligation, to eat meat and other delicacies[9]. [One who increases in eating other delicacies and doing other matters of joy[10] is as well considered to be fulfilling the Biblical command, although he is not obligated in doing so.[11]]
Women:[12] One is to buy his wife [and adult female children and other adult female household members[13]] jewelry or clothing in accordance to his affordability. ]If one cannot afford to purchase clothing or jewelry then he is to purchase them new shoes in order to fulfill this Mitzvah.[14]]
Children:[15] One is to distribute nuts [16] to his young [children and other young members of his household]. [Today this can be fulfilled through giving children chocolate and other candies and treats that they enjoy.[17]]
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Q&A on wine How much wine must a man drink? A man is to drink a Revius of wine every day of Yom Tov, including Chol Hamoed.[18]
Must one drink actual wine, or is grape juice also valid?[19] One does not fulfill his obligation with grape juice.
Must one drink actual wine, or are other alcoholic beverages also valid?[20] One can drink any alcoholic beverage.
Are also women to drink wine for Simchas Yom Tov?[21] No.
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[1] 529:6; 242:1 regarding eating on Yom Tov that it is Biblical due to the Mitzvah of Simcha; Michaber 529:2; Pesachim 109a
[2] The source: As the verse [Devarim 16:14] states “Vesamachta Bechagecha Ata Ubincha Ubitecha etc.” [Admur ibid]
[3] Implication of Admur ibid
[4] 529:7
The ruling in 242:1 and KU”A 2: There Admur mentions plainly that eating and drinking such as wine and meat is part of the Biblical Mitzvah of Simcha. Vetzaruch Iyun as there it implies a) meat is also a Biblical Mitzvah b) Everyone fulfills the Mitzvah through eating and drinking.
[5] Meaning that the man of the house is obligated to verify that they drink wine. Vetzaruch Iyun
[6] So is implied from Admur 529:6
[7] Admur ibid; Veshev Hakohen 94, brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 341
[8] 242:1 implies eating meat and other delicacies is Biblical and not a mere Mitzvah. See next footnote regarding this seeming contradiction.
[9] 242:1 writes plainly that there is a Biblical Mitzvah of Simcha in eating and drinking on Yom Tov, and only in the Kuntrus Achron does he write “for example meat and wine”, hence clearly implying there is a Mitzvah with all delicacies. So is also implied from the concluding words of Admur 529:7 “we are to rejoice with all other forms of Simcha”. Now although Admur there states clearly that it is not an obligation but a mere Mitzvah, unlike what He wrote in 242:1, one can perhaps say that both rulings hold true without contradiction, as although one only fulfills his obligation of Simcha by drinking wine as writes Admur in 529:7, nevertheless when he eats meat and other delicacies he also fulfills the Biblical Mitzvah of Simcha, as he is merely increasing in the Mitzvah. In other words the Mitzvah of Simcha begins with wine although extends as well to all other delicacies. Hence one who drinks wine can now extend and fulfill the Mitzvah with meat and all other delicacies and matters of Simcha. Vetzaruch Iyun.
[10] So is also implied from the concluding words of Admur 529:7 “we are to rejoice with all other forms of Simcha”.
[11] See two footnotes above.
[12] 529:7; Michaber 529:2; Pesachim 109a
[13] So is implied from Admur ibid as otherwise Admur omits how the other women of one’s household are to be rejoiced.
[14] Drashos Maharil Yom Tov; Bear Heiytiv 529:4
[15] 529:7; Pesachim 109a
[16] Literally “Kelayos and Egozim”;
Definition of Kelayos: We find different explanations as to the meaning of the word Kelayos. Some say it means roasted wheat kernals. [Rashi in Pesachim 109a] Others say it refers to a certain species of fruit. [Raavan Pesachim 164, brought in Elya Raba 473:19]
Definition of Egozim: It is unclear what the exact definition of an Egoz is, if it includes all nuts or refers to a specific nut such as the walnut. [See Machatzis Hashekel 583:4; Koveitz Or Yisrael 1:106 for a discussion regarding the exact definition of an Egoz; See also Admur 583:6 “Egozim, or Luzim which are small Egozim”]
[17] Pashut, as the entire purpose is to rejoice them with things they like; See Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:10 “On Yom Tov itself when it is a Mitzvah to rejoice the children with those items that are joyful for them such as Egozim and like, as was explained in Hilchos Yom Tov”; So also writes Beir Moshe 7:3; Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 1:18; See Rambam Hilchos Yom Tov 18 who adds “Kelayos and Egozim and Migdanos”
[18] Nimukeiy Orach Chaim 529; Torah Or Esther p. 198 “One fulfills his obligation of Simcha through drinking a Revius of wine.”
[19] Peri Chadash 483; Chol Hamoed Kihilchaso 1 footnote 24
[20] Chol Hamoed Kihilchaso 1 footnote 25
[21] Shagas Aryeh 65
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