The Expression of Joy as a Halakhic Problem in Rabbinic Sources
The Book of Deuteronomy commands all Israel to rejoice before the Lord three times a year at the seasonal pilgrimage festivals (Deut 16:15). In biblical law this is understood in reference to one's obligation to offer sacrifices at the central sanctuary. The fulfillment of this commandment beca...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Penn Press
1990
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| In: |
The Jewish quarterly review
Year: 1990, Volume: 80, Issue: 3/4, Pages: 221-252 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The Book of Deuteronomy commands all Israel to rejoice before the Lord three times a year at the seasonal pilgrimage festivals (Deut 16:15). In biblical law this is understood in reference to one's obligation to offer sacrifices at the central sanctuary. The fulfillment of this commandment became quite problematic in the rabbinic period after the Temple was destroyed. Among the earliest writings of the tannaitic era it is understood to refer to the sacrifical obligations of the Jewish people. In these materials the commandment is thought to be inapplicable to the present age. However, already among the tannaim there are some who reinterpreted the commandment to include activities that were not sacrificial, such as the drinking of wine, wearing of special garments, and even preparing nonsacrificial meat. In the amoraic period the commandment evolved even further and was understood to include the obligation to study the Torah. At the same time that Torah study became an occasion for rejoicing it also become an activity that was proscribed for mourners. |
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| ISSN: | 1553-0604 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The Jewish quarterly review
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2307/1454970 |