ביום שמחתכם ובמועדיכם ובראשי חדשיכם ותקעתם בחצוצרות על עולותיכם ועל זבחי שלמיכם (בהעלותך י:י)

In the year 1936, the Polish regime wanted to place a ban on shechita (slaughtering animals the kosher way).  The Rabbanim in the capital city of Warsaw – led by the renowned Torah luminary Rabbi Menachem Ziemba zt”l, gathered to discuss how they could bring about the decree to be annulled.

One Rabbi in attendance suggested issuing a proclamation forbidding all Polish Jews from eating meat for the next sixteen days, which would include two Shabbos. This Rabbi reasoned that Polish farmers raising and selling animals would feel the impact of forbidding Yidden from slaughtering their meat. These farmers would surely complain to the Polish government, which would be compelled to negotiate with them and eventually do away with the ban on Shechita.

When Maran Reb Aharon of Belz zt”l heard about this plan, he was displeased that Yidden were about to be told to refrain from eating meat on Shabbos.  He sent his loyal Chassid, Reb Duvid Getzel’s a”h to Warsaw, to ask from Reb Menachem Ziemba HY”D not to issue this proclamation.

Reb Menachem Ziemba asked: Why does the holy Belze Rebbe make such an issue about eating meat on Shabbos, which is not a Mitzva; there is no reference to eating meat on Shabbos, not in the Torah nor Chazal?

Reb Duvid Getzel answered wisely: “I once heard from my Rebbe, Maran Reb Aharon of Belz, a source to the custom of eating meat on Shabbos.  It says in the Torah וביום שמחתכם ובמועדיכם – the Sifri explains that these words refer to “Shabbos” and we know from the Gemaa (פסחים קט) that ”אין שמחה אלא בבשר ויין” joy on Yom Tov can only be attained with a festive meal that includes meat and wine – thus, here is a source in the Torah that one needs to eat meat on Shabbos.”

Hearing the wise words from Reb Duvid, which were sent in a refined and eloquent manner, Reb Menachem Ziemba praised his response and canceled the proclamation.