- Q. Is a seuda (meal) in which the group begins to learn a new Mesechta and officially and publicly start the learning with the first Mishna considered to be a Seudas Mitzva that should be attended by many?
A. Regarding a Seuda that qualifies as a mitzva, it is indeed proper and correct to make a real effort to attend, as mentioned regarding mitzvos that take some time to fulfill a Seudas Mitzva is common when it reaches the end.
See question 3458 regarding the seuda some shuls or private people make on the last day of Chanuka a Seudas Mitzva.
See also question 3560 regarding a Seudas Purim Koton if it is considered a Seudas Mitzva that one invited should attend. We wrote:” Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the participants say Divrei Torah and sing songs of prize to Hashem for the miracles of survival received as it should be, it becomes a Seudas Mitzva.
On question 3535 regarding if the celebration of a seventy year birthday a Seudas Mitzva that one should attend when invited. We wrote: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is a Seudas Hodayah or a meal of thanksgiving that is given to recognize the good that Hashem has granted or Hakoras HaTov, and is therefore a Seudas Mitzva.
It is the tradition of some that when they make a Siyum at the end of learning a Talmud volume, they begin learning the first mishna of the next one.
On question 1096 concerning the ceremony of placing a cornerstone before building an institution or a shul, we wrote several sources an occasions mentioned in Tanach about them and their celebration. Ezra (3: 10,11) describes the solemnities and festivities of the cornerstone foundation of the Second Temple.
It is by now a broadly spread tradition to carry out such dedication ceremonies, as is evident from the recorded Divrei Torah, discourses and addresses said by many Gedolim on such occasions. See Even Sapir (Mishlei 14) who quotes a story on the laying of the cornerstone of the yeshiva of the Maharsho and the great importance of the act.
In our particular case Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the true simcha and joy of the Torah learning is principally when having already learned. However, if decisive, effective and well established proper efforts for a new shiur were accomplished, including the becoming learning facilities a seudas mitzva could be done, to enhance and promote the starting shiur.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
