Laws of Yom Tov

(1) Any¹This includes all rabbinically prohibited work. (Peri Megadim M.Z. 308, Chayei Adam 80:1) melachah (work) that may not be done on Shabbos, is also forbidden on Yom Tov.²However, the penalty of death applies to the desecration of Shabbos, but not Yom Tov. And just as on Shabbos it is forbidden to have work done even by a non-Jew, so it is forbidden on Yom Tov. And just as a person is commanded to allow his animals to rest³See Chapter 87 for details. on Shabbos, so, too, is he commanded on Yom Tov.⁴Meiri Maseches Beitzah 36, Beis Yosef 305, Magein Avraham 246:12, Vilna Gaon, Mishnah Berurah 246:19. The Remah 246:3, Rashi, Riva and Peri Chadash, however, maintain that this is not prohibited on Yom Tov. Yom Tov differs from Shabbos only with regard to the preparation of food,⁵Maseches Megillah 7b. for it says (concerning Yom Tov), "Only that which is eaten by any soul, that alone may be prepared by you."⁶Exodus 12:16. This⁷Many types of melachah in the preparations of food are forbidden on Yom Tov (e.g. harvesting, grinding, squeezing grapes etc., threshing, sifting etc.). Shulchan Aruch 495:2 rules that these types are prohibited rabbinically, while the Yerushalmi, Rashba, Reshal, Taz, Vilna Gaon etc. rule that they are prohibited de’oraisa. They maintain that the Torah permitted only the kind of labor needed for one day’s needs, but not the kind of labor usually done on a large scale. includes kneading, baking, slaughtering, and cooking. Carrying,⁸See Chapter 82 for details. and lighting a fire⁹You may only light a fire from an existing flame but you are not allowed to produce a new fire. See paragraph 31. are permitted on Yom Tov, even if not needed for preparing food, but for some other necessity.¹⁰Most poskim maintain it is a de’oraisa prohibition to carry on Yom Tov if there is no necessity. Rashi, Riaz and possibly Rif and Rambam hold it is derabanan. (See Biur Halachah 518:1) Our Sages, of Blessed Memory,¹¹See Maseches Beitzah 12a. had this rule by tradition regarding these (two melachos),¹²Even though carrying and lighting a fire are not melachos performed directly on the food itself, they are necessary for its preparation. Melachos that are synonymous with food preparation such at baking and cooking are certainly included in this ruling and are permitted for other necessities. (Maggid Mishneh, Magein Avraham, Vilna Gaon, Machatzis Hashekel, Mishnah Berurah 518:1) of which it is said: "Since these labors are permitted for the purpose of preparing food,¹³Shulchan Aruch 495:1 implies that Melachah is permitted for food requirements, even if it could have been done before Yom Tov and would have the same taste. Most poskim, however, Rema, Maharil, Eliyahu Rabbah, Peri Chadash etc. maintain that this is forbidden rabbinically, but permit it when done in an unconventional way (shinui). (Rema, Ran) If you were unable to prepare it before Yom Tov, due to an extreme emergency, you may prepare it on Yom Tov in the usual manner. (Shulchan Aruch Harav, Mishnah Berurah) If, however, you just didn’t have time to do it before Yom Tov, you must do it in an unconventional way. they are also permitted for purposes other than preparing food,"¹⁴The Rema 518:1 rules that it is permitted to carry something because you fear it will get stolen or lost. Mishnah Berurah 518:6 rules it proper to be stringent, like the Rosh, Tur, Maharil, Reshal etc., who hold the necessity must be for a mitzvah or for something you need that day in particular (such as an ornament). but for some other necessity. However, a yahrzeit candle may not be lit on Yom Tov.¹⁵The Kesav Sofer responsum 65 permits this, but says it is still better to light it in the synagogue where you may light candles on Yom Tov, as it is an honor to the synagogue, (see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 101:2) The Misgeres Hashulchan says the custom is to light them even at home but it is best to do it in the synagogue. This is also the view of Biur Halachah 514:5, who adds if you light it in your house, you should do it in the room where you eat.

(3) Should spices that are ground before Yom Tov lose their flavor, [before Yom Tov,] they may be ground on Yom Tov, if done in an unconventional manner: such as inclining the mortar on its side,or by pounding them on the table, or similar unconventional procedures. Horseraddish that is grated on a (hand-)grater may not be grated into a dish as is usually done on weekdays, but onto a tablecloth.¹⁷Chayei Adam 83:3, Mishnah Berurah 504:19. You may not grind it in a grinding mill, even in an unusual manner, for it is an uvdah de’chol, which is forbidden, even in an unconventional fashion. (general rule of the Magein Avraham 504:7) You may not grind coffee with a grinder,¹⁸Not even in an unconventional manner. (Panim Meiros, Peri Megadim, M.Z. 504:1) but you may pound it with a mortar in an unconventional manner. It is best to prepare everything on the day before Yom Tov. Foods that do not lose their flavor, certainly should be crushed the day before Yom Tov,¹⁹This is a rabbinical ordinance, so that Yom Tov is not spent working in the kitchen. (Shulchan Aruch Harav 495:7) but if you forgot (to do it before), you are permitted to do it in an unconventional manner on Yom Tov. All that was mentioned is only permitted for as much as you need for that day, but not for the next day, and you should be stringent to prepare only as much as you need for that particular meal. When grinding matzoh,²⁰The matzoh is made from ground flour, and you are permitted to grind something that was previously ground, even in the usual manner. (Mishnah Berurah 504:20) you should also be careful about this.²¹Not to grind more than you need for that meal.

(25) It is forbidden to extinguish a fire on Yom Tov.⁷⁴Unless it is life threatening or for the purpose of food. For example, if your food will burn, or your only dishes etc. will burn, and you haven’t any other way to alleviate the situation. (see Shulchan Aruch 514:1) It is even forbidden to extinguish it indirectly. Therefore, it is forbidden to place a burning candle where the wind may blow it out, even though when you place it no wind is blowing.⁷⁵Magein Avraham, Biur Halachah. It is also forbidden to open a door or a window opposite a burning candle. See above chapter 80:2

(31) It is forbidden⁹⁰It is a preparation for preparing food and could have been done before Yom Tov. (Rambam, Rashba, Mishnah Berurah 502:1) In the event you made a fire on Yom Tov, the Taz and Toras Hashmarim (Yoreh Dei’ah 197) rule that you may not use it, but the Rashbah, Magein Avraham, Shulchan Aruch Harav, Mishnah Berurah 502 permit it. to touch off a fire either from a flintstone, a glass or a match.

(34) Carrying is permitted on Yom Tov. It is permitted to carry even things that are not needed for preparing food, provided there is some other need for it, but if it is totally unnecessary, it is forbidden to be carried out [of the house] unless it is to a place where you are permitted to carry on Shabbos.⁹⁷See Chapter 94 about requirements of Eruv Chatzeiros (courtyards) and partnership in alleys. According to the Rif, Rambam, Rosh and Shulchan Aruch 528, you may carry in the courtyards and alleyways on Yom Tov, even without an eruv. The Rashbah and Rema 518:1 rule that it is not permitted. The Reshal says it is best to include Yom Tov in your erev chatzeiros etc., even though the halachah is like the Shulchan Aruch in this case. Concerning things that are needed for food, like kegs of wine, you should not carry as heavy a burden as you do on weekdays; but you should do it in a different way.⁹⁸See Shulchan Aruch 510:8. If you are accustomed to carry four or five pitchers of wine, you should only carry one or two and you should not carry them in a basket made for carrying wine etc. This applies only when moving the wine etc. through alleyways where people frequent and may see you, but within your house or courtyard, you may carry it as you wish. If it is impossible to do it differently, as when you have many guests,⁹⁹And you are in a hurry to serve them. you may carry it the usual manner.