Seudat mitzvah

The kohen asks the father if he prefers to keep his money or pay the equivalent of five silver shekels to redeem his child.

The father chooses the latter option and hands over the money, as well as recites a special blessing ("al pidyon haben").

Chaim Elazar Spira, the Munkacser Rebbe", observed in his work Sha'ar Yissachar that the evil inclination does not want to see this type of shared joy, noting that one of the names of the evil inclination, "Samael", may be seen as an acronym for Siyum Masechet Ain La'asot, or "do not make a siyum".

[11] At a public meal[12] that is given to recognize the good – Hakarat HaTov – the beneficiary gives something to others – the ability to say blessings – Brachot.

During the festive meal, seudat nissuin following a Jewish wedding, guests participate in the mitzvah (commandment) of L'Sameach Chatan v'Kallah, to bring joy to the groom and bride.

Seudat havraah is the "meal of consolation" or comfort provided for a mourner upon his or her return from the cemetery following interment of the deceased.

It is customary to eat a hardboiled egg, and also a piece of bread dipped into ashes, and to say, "This is the Tisha B'Av meal."

This saying was codified in the Rif, Rosh, Tur, Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 695), and is interpreted simply (as explained above) by the Chatam Sofer.

This interpretation of the Talmudic statement, or the acceptance of the statement itself, is disputed (for various reasons) by the Ba'alei Tosafot (based on the Jerusalem Talmud), Maimonides, Rabbeinu Ephraim, Ba'al HaMa'or, Ran, Orchot Chaim, Be'er Hagolah, Magen Avraham, Taz, Rema, Vilna Gaon, Maharsha, Rashash, Tzeidah LaDerech, Hagahot Maimoniyot, Ra'avyah, Korban N'tan'el, Bach, Maharil, P'ri M'gadim, Kol Bo, Chochmat Mano'ach, Mishnah Berurah (by the Chafetz Chaim), and others.

These authorities all advocate drinking wine in some quantity, but all (excepting Hagahot Maimoniyot and Ra'avyah) discourage the level of drunkenness suggested by the Chatam Sofer.