Seudat mitzvah facts for kids

A seudat mitzvah (Hebrew: סעודת מצוה) is a special, important meal in Judaism. It's a festive meal that Jewish people have after doing a mitzvah, which is a good deed or commandment. These meals celebrate big moments like a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, a wedding, a brit milah (a special ceremony for baby boys), or a siyum (finishing a big Jewish book like the Talmud or Mishnah).

Some seudot (plural of seudah) are also part of Jewish holidays. Even though they are also seudot mitzvah, they often have their own common names.

Seudat Brit Milah: Celebrating a New Baby

A brit milah is a special ceremony for a baby boy, and the seudah (meal) that follows is very important. Some Jewish teachers say that if you're invited to this meal, it's a huge honor to go! People usually aren't formally invited; they are just told when and where it will be.

Jewish sages have compared this meal to eating a special offering from the ancient Temple. Many Hasidic Jews like to serve meat at a seudat brit milah. Sharing this meal helps everyone feel connected and celebrates the special bond between God and the Jewish people.

Seudat Pidyon HaBen: Redeeming the Firstborn

The pidyon haben is a special ceremony for a firstborn Jewish boy. It's different from other seudot mitzvah because the ceremony is actually part of the meal itself!

A kohen (a Jewish priest from a special family line) leads the ceremony. He washes his hands, says a blessing over bread, and eats some bread. Then, the kohen and the baby's father talk using a traditional script. The kohen asks the father if he wants to keep his money or pay five silver shekels to "redeem" his son. The father chooses to pay the money and says a special blessing. The kohen then says the redemption words, blesses the child, and drinks from a cup of wine. After this, all the guests wash their hands for bread and enjoy the festive meal together.

There's a famous story about the Vilna Gaon, a very wise rabbi. He was asked if all the commandments in the Torah are hinted at in the first part of the Torah, Bereishit. He said yes! Then he was asked where pidyon haben was hinted at. He explained that the Hebrew letters of Bereishit can stand for "a firstborn son after thirty days redeem."

Seudat Bar Mitzvah: Becoming an Adult

When a Jewish boy turns 13, he becomes a bar mitzvah. This means he is now responsible for following Jewish commandments. This big moment is celebrated with a religious feast. The young person often gives a speech they have prepared.

At a bar mitzvah meal, parents often thank God for letting them raise their child to this important age and teach him about the Torah and its commandments. A bat mitzvah (for a girl turning 12) is also considered a seudat mitzvah.

Seudat Siyum Masechet: Finishing a Book

A seudah is held to celebrate finishing a big Jewish text, like a tractate of the Talmud. This meal is a seudat mitzvah. It's a time to be happy about the accomplishment and to inspire others to study and learn too. It's a great way to share joy in learning.

Seudat Hoda'ah: A Meal of Thanks

Seudat Hoda'ah (Hebrew: סעודת הודיה) means a "meal of thanksgiving." It's a public meal given to show thanks for something good that happened. The person who is thankful shares this meal with others, giving them a chance to say blessings.

Seudat Nissuin: Wedding Celebration

The seudat nissuin is the festive meal after a Jewish wedding. Guests at this meal are doing a mitzvah (commandment) called L'Sameach Chatan v'Kallah, which means to bring joy to the groom and bride. The main goal of the celebration is to make the newlyweds happy.

At Orthodox wedding meals, men and women often dance separately. Sometimes there's a mechitza (a divider) between them. This is done for tzniut, which means modesty. After the meal, Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals) is recited. Then, the Sheva Berachot (seven blessings) that were said under the chupah (wedding canopy) are repeated.

Seudat Havraah: Comforting Mourners

Seudat Havraah is a "meal of consolation" or comfort. It's given to a mourner when they return from the cemetery after a loved one has been buried. This meal often includes foods that symbolize life, like boiled eggs and lentil soup.

The Talmud tells a story about the lentil stew that Jacob was making in the Bible (Genesis 25:29). This was the seudat havraah for his father Isaac, who was starting to sit shiva (a period of mourning) for his own father, Abraham.

Seudat Shabbat and Seudat Yom Tov: Sabbath and Holiday Meals

These are the special meals eaten on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. On Shabbat, there are three meals. On each festival day, there are usually two meals (dinner and lunch). For example, there are four meals for Shavuot, Rosh HaShana, and Sukkot (outside Israel). There are two meals for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. For Passover, there are eight meals (outside Israel), and the Passover Seders are also seudot mitzvah.

Most of these meals start with Kiddush, which is a blessing said over wine to recognize the holiness of the day. Jewish law says that if you say Kiddush, you must eat the meal right away in the same place. At Shabbat meals, it's common to sing Zemirot (songs), learn Torah, and talk about the week's portion of Scripture.

Seudah HaMafseket: The Separating Meal

Seudah HaMafseket is the "separating meal" eaten just before the fasts of Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av.

The meal before Yom Kippur is a festive meal, and it can include meat.

The meal before Tisha B'Av is different. You can't eat meat or drink wine, and you can only have one cooked food. It's best to avoid alcoholic beverages. This meal is eaten sitting on the ground or a low seat. People often eat a hardboiled egg and a piece of bread dipped in ashes, saying, "This is the Tisha B'Av meal." During this meal, fewer than three men should sit together so they don't have to say the Grace after Meals as a group. If Tisha B'Av happens on Shabbat or Sunday, these rules don't apply.

Seudat Purim: A Joyful Feast

Purim painting, untitled. Safed, Israel, 19th century. Hasidic Jews celebrating Purim with a Sephardic Jew (left).

On Purim day, usually in the evening, a festive meal called Seudat Purim is held. Wine is an important part of this joyful meal.