תלמוד בבלי פסחים קט.
תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן בְּתֵירָא אוֹמֵר: בִּזְמַן שֶׁבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּים אֵין שִׂמְחָה אֶלָּא בַּבָּשָׂר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "וְזָבַחְתָּ שְׁלֵמִים וְאָכַלְתָּ שָׁם וְשָׂמַחְתָּ לִפְנֵי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ"(דברים כז). וְעַכְשָׁיו שֶׁאֵין בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּים, אֵין שִׂמְחָה אֶלָּא בַיַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "וְיַיִן יְשַׂמַּח לְבַב אֱנוֹשׁ" (תהילים קד).
It was taught, R. Judah ben Batrya said: When the Temple was in existence there could be no rejoicing save with meat, as it is said: ‘And you shall sacrifice peace-offerings, and shall eat there; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God.’ But now that the Temple is no longer in existence, there is no rejoicing save with wine, as it is said, ‘wine makes glad the heart of man.’
[translation by Hazon]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Some people still feel strongly that eating meat on Shabbat is central to celebrating the day. Do agree or disagree?
2. Do you think of meat eating as something to be reserved for special occasions? If not, how would your life be different if you did?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)