Halachah 1 — Animals Born on Yom Tov
A chick hatched on Yom Tov is muktzeh and may not be handled.
A newborn calf is different:
- If the mother was designated for food, the calf is also permitted.
- The calf is considered included in its mother’s designation.
Halachah 2 — Animals Outside the Techum
Animals that:
- Graze outside the city limits,
- But return to sleep in the city,
may be used on Yom Tov.
However, animals that remain outside the city continuously are considered muktzeh and may not be slaughtered if they arrive on Yom Tov.
Halachah 3 — Blemished Consecrated Animals
If a consecrated animal develops a blemish on Yom Tov:
- It may not be slaughtered.
- The blemish may not be examined on Yom Tov.
Reason:
- The inspection itself effectively changes its status.
If the blemish was inspected before Yom Tov, the ruling may be issued on Yom Tov.
Halachah 4 — Firstborn Animals and Animals in a Pit
A firstborn animal born with a blemish on Yom Tov may not have that blemish examined on Yom Tov.
If examined improperly and declared permitted:
- It may be slaughtered.
Animals in a cistern
If a firstborn animal falls into a pit:
- Feed it where it is.
- Do not remove it.
If a cow and calf fall in:
- One may be lifted out for slaughter.
- Then the second may also be removed.
- This leniency exists because of animal suffering.
Halachah 5 — House Birds vs. Wild Birds
Domesticated birds such as:
- Chickens
- Ducks
- Household doves
require no special designation.
Wild birds are different:
- Dovecote birds
- Loft birds
- Orchard birds
are considered muktzeh.
To use them, one must designate them before Yom Tov.
Halachah 6 — Doubtful Designation
If there is uncertainty whether the designated birds are the same birds found on Yom Tov:
→ They are forbidden.
Examples:
- Designated two, found three → forbidden
- Color positions changed → forbidden
The principle:
A doubt concerning designation is treated stringently.
Halachah 7 — Animals That Require Trapping
If an animal, bird, or fish requires substantial effort to capture:
→ It is considered muktzeh.
If it can be caught easily:
- It is considered prepared.
- It may be captured and eaten.
Halachah 8 — Traps Set Before Yom Tov
If traps were set before Yom Tov:
- One may use the catch only if it is clear the animal was trapped before Yom Tov.
Fish found in a properly enclosed waterway are presumed to have been trapped before Yom Tov and are permitted.
Halachah 9 — Produce Previously Designated
If a storehouse opens on Yom Tov by itself:
- Designated produce may be taken.
Fruit drying before Yom Tov requires explicit designation of what portion will be used.
Halachah 10 — Gifts From a Non-Jew
If a non-Jew brings food on Yom Tov:
If it may have been:
- Picked,
- Trapped,
- Gathered on Yom Tov,
it is forbidden until after Yom Tov and additional waiting time.
If clearly prepared before Yom Tov:
It may be permitted.
If brought from beyond the techum:
- The recipient may not use it.
- Another Jew may.
Halachah 11 — Fallen Branches and Firewood
Branches falling on Yom Tov are nolad (newly created status).
Therefore:
- They may not normally be used as fuel.
If mixed with a larger amount of prepared wood:
- They may be burned together.
Halachah 12 — Broken Objects and Fuel
One may not use:
- Beams broken on Yom Tov
- Utensils broken on Yom Tov
for fuel.
Reason:
- They became usable only during Yom Tov and are nolad.
Items broken before Yom Tov may be used.
Halachah 13 — Newly Cut Branches
Fresh thorny branches are muktzeh.
Therefore:
- They may not be used as roasting spits.
Halachah 14 — Gathering Wood
Wood stored near a dwelling may be used.
Wood located in fields generally may not be brought for use.
One may gather wood already lying before him and burn it where it is.
Halachah 15 — Leaves and Reeds
Collected leaves remain forbidden if the wind can scatter them.
If weighted down before Yom Tov:
- They become permitted.
Halachah 16 — Animals That Die on Yom Tov
If an animal was visibly near death before Yom Tov:
- It may be fed to dogs after dying.
Otherwise:
- It is muktzeh.
Similarly:
- Consecrated animals that die
- Terumah that becomes impure
may not be moved.
Halachah 17 — Feeding Muktzeh Animals
Animals that are muktzeh:
- May not be fed.
- May not be watered.
Reason:
- To prevent people from coming to use them.
Any item forbidden because of muktzeh is also forbidden to move.
Halachah 18 — Earth and Ash
Earth brought into a courtyard before Yom Tov and designated for use is permitted.
Ash
- Ash from before Yom Tov → permitted
- Fresh ash from Yom Tov fire → permitted only while still considered part of the active fire
Otherwise:
- It is considered nolad.