Why Hashem prohibited Melacha on Yom Tov?

The purpose of Yom Tov is for the Jewish people to remember the great miracles that Hashem performed for them and their forefathers, and for them to give over this history to their children and grandchildren. This is why the Torah prohibited one from doing Melacha on Yom Tov, in […]

Melting wax on Yom Tov

It is forbidden to melt wax, such as in order to stick a candle onto a surface. [Thus, when preparing the candles on the second night of Yom Tov, one must be careful not to attach the candles to the holder through melting the wax.] Bookmark

Lighting a candle on Yom Tov

It is permitted to light a candle on Yom Tov for the sake of using its light[1], or for the sake of a Mitzvah[2], such as to light candles in a Shul.[3] It is permitted to light candles in a Shul even after the last prayer of Mincha on the […]

Havara – igniting Fire on Yom Tov

Although there is no Biblical prohibition against starting a flame on Yom Tov[1], nevertheless, it is Rabbinically forbidden to ignite a spark or start a flame on Yom Tov whether through use of wood, stones, or a magnifying glass.[2] It is however permitted to light an item from a pre-exiting […]

List of Melachos that may or may not be done on Yom Tov

  Melacha Its law Amira Lenachri Same rules as Shabbos Baking Permitted with some restrictions Borer Similar to Shabbos in only some cases Building Same as Shabbos [Biblically] Carding/Niputz Same as Shabbos [Biblically] Carrying Permitted with some restrictions Cutting/Mechateich Same as Shabbos [Biblically] Cooking Permitted with some restrictions Destroying Same […]

4. Guests for Yom Tov

The Mitzvah: When one eats and drinks on Yom Tov, he is obligated to feed converts, orphans and widows, amongst all other unfortunate paupers. One who locks the doors of his home and eats and drinks with his wife and kids alone and does not feed give drink the paupers […]

3. Eating meat on Yom Tov

Although there is not an obligation to eat meat on Yom Tov nevertheless there is a [Biblical[1]] Mitzvah for one to do so.   Q&A Is one to eat animal meat to fulfill this Mitzvah or does poultry also suffice?[2] The Mitzvah is to eat specifically animal meat. One does […]

2. Simcha on Yom Tov

The Mitzvah:[1] It is a Biblical positive command and obligation for one to rejoice and be of happy spirit throughout all days of Yom Tov, including Chol Hamoed, with exception to Rosh Hashana.[2] This obligation applies to oneself, his wife, his children and his entire household [even non-relatives[3]]. The head […]

1. Mitzvah of Eating on Yom Tov

It is a positive command[1] to eat and drink during the festivals. Bread:[2] One is obligated to eat a meal of bread on Yom Tov. Lechem Mishneh:[3] One is obligated to recite Hamotzi over two whole loaves of bread [i.e. Lechem Mishnah] during the [two] meals of Yom Tov.   […]

11. Tasting the foods on Erev Yom Tov

One is to taste the Shabbos foods on Erev Yom Tov [to see if they need anything added to them in order to ensure their tastiness[1]]. [Nevertheless, this was not seen to be the custom of the Previous Rebbe.[2]] It is proper to taste each and every dish of food.[3] […]

10. Setting the table for Yom Tov

When to set the table:[1] One[2] is to set up the Yom Tov table [including its chairs[3]] on Erev Yom Tov in preparation for the Yom Tov night meal.[4] [The silverware and plates are to be clean and polished for the meal.[5] There is no need, however, to set up […]

9. Sharpening knives on Erev Yom Tov

One is to beware to sharpen the [kitchen and eating] knives every Erev Shabbos, as preparing oneself for eating is included within the honor of Shabbos.[1] In addition, [at times] one needs to sharpen the knives for the sake of Shalom Bayis [marital harmony], such as if the blade has […]

8. Baking Challahs for Yom Tov

One is to bake Challahs for Yom Tov which will be used for Lechem Mishneh and is not to buy them at the bakery as is done during the week. This matter of baking one’s own Challah is included in the honoring of Yom Tov. One is not to divert […]

5. Shopping for Yom Tov

May one go shopping before Davening?[1] It is forbidden for one to go shopping prior to Davening Shacharis, [starting from Alos Hashachar[2]].[3] Even on Erev Shabbos, it is forbidden for one to go shopping prior to Davening Shacharis[4], unless the store will close, in which the following laws apply: Store […]

1. The mitzvah of Kavod and Oneg Yom Tov

A Biblical or Rabbinical precept: There are two matters regarding Shabbos that were expounded on by the prophets, which is [the Mitzvah] to honor Shabbos [i.e. Kavod Shabbos] and [the Mitzvah of] Oneg Shabbos.[1] These two Shabbos obligations [to honor and enjoy it] are in truth rooted in a Biblical […]

24. Trapping animals on Yom Tov

The practical laws of trapping creatures on Yom Tov follow the same laws as Shabbos. All animals that require further trapping are forbidden to be trapped on Yom Tov, just as is the law on Shabbos.[1] Animals that are already trapped, are permitted to be taken on Yom Tov if […]

23. Boneh and Soser on Yom Tov

The laws of Boneh/Soser on Yom Tov slightly differ from Shabbos; at times it retains the Shabbos restrictions while at others it is permitted to be done. The following is the general rule: All items that are Biblically forbidden to be built or destroyed on Shabbos are likewise Biblically[1] forbidden […]

22. Tikkun Keli on Yom Tov

The prohibition of Tikkun Keli applies on Yom Tov, just as it applies on Shabbos. Thus all items forbidden to be cut on Shabbos due to Tikkun Keli may not be cut on Yom Tov. This applies even by food related matters. Fixing a skewer:[1] Fixing a skewer to use […]

21. Muktzah on Yom Tov

In general, all the laws of Muktzah which apply on Shabbos apply equally on Yom Tov[1], with exception to three laws of which in two Yom Tov is stricter then Shabbos, and in one Yom Tov is more lenient. These are the laws of Nolad, and Muktzah [this refers to […]

18. Eating Foods with letters on Yom Tov

Breaking letters on a food on Yom Tov follows the same laws as Shabbos.   May one smoke cigarettes on Yom Tov if doing so will erase the letters printed on the paper? Some Poskim[1] rule it is forbidden to do so. Others[2] rule one may be lenient.   _____________________________ […]

16. Making Challah on Yom Tov

Sifting the flour:[1] It is forbidden for one to sift flour for the first time on Yom Tov.  Practically, being that today’s flour is already pre-sifted in the factory therefore it may be resifted on Yom Tov for the sake of checking for insects, although if it could have been […]

15. Kneading on Yom Tov

It is permitted to knead foods on Yom Tov for the sake of eating the food on Yom Tov.[1] It is permitted to knead the foods in their [regular] fashion, if it would either cause a loss or a diminish of quality of the taste, to have kneaded it before […]

14. Crushing and cutting on Yom Tov

The laws of grinding on Yom Tov slightly differ from the laws of Shabbos. The main differences are regarding the use of a grater [which is forbidden on Shabbos], and cutting items small [which may not be done on Shabbos unless for immediate use]. In all cases it is forbidden […]

13. Salting foods; Salads on Yom Tov

The laws of salting on Yom Tov slightly differ from the laws of Shabbos. The following is the general rule: Salting many foods at a time:[1] Initially, if doing so will not cause even a slight loss, it is proper to not salt more than one vegetable at a time, […]

12. Dyeing on Yom Tov

It is forbidden to dye on Yom Tov just as on Shabbos.[1] It is thus forbidden for women to apply makeup on Yom Tov. May one eat a food that dyes the lips red?[2] It is permitted for a woman to eat fruits and the like which leave a red […]

11. Nolad and Melting on Yom Tov

It is permitted to melt foods on Yom Tov for the sake of eating the food on Yom Tov.   A. Is melting fat or ice on Yom Tov forbidden due to the Nolad prohibition which applies on Yom Tov? Some Poskim[1] rule that all forms of Nolad are forbidden […]

10. Squeezing on Yom Tov

It is forbidden to squeeze on Yom Tov just as on Shabbos. A. May one make almond milk on Yom Tov?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden to crush almonds and make almond milk on Yom Tov.[3] Other Poskim[4] rule it is permitted to make almond milk on Yom Tov.[5] […]

8. Using a peeler on Yom Tov:

Introduction: The use of a peeler on Shabbos is subject to the Borer prohibition[1], and is thus prohibited to be used on Shabbos to remove inedible peels[2], and with some Poskim[3] prohibiting it entirely even to remove edible peels.[4] [See Topics in Practical Halacha Vol. 2 O.C. Halacha 42] The […]

7. Borer on Yom Tov

The laws of Borer on Yom Tov slightly differ from Shabbos; at times it retains the Shabbos restrictions while at others it receives a new set of laws relating to its form of separation. The following is the general rule: Foods that are sifted many days prior to use:[1] Those […]

5. Opening Cans on Yom Tov

Opening cans on Yom Tov follows the same laws as doing so on Shabbos without any change.[1] Nevertheless, some Poskim[2]rule it is permitted to open cans on Yom Tov without restriction according to all opinions if one does so in a destructive fashion. Practically one may be lenient like this […]

4. Measuring on Yom Tov

It is forbidden to measure on Yom Tov.[1] This applies whether with one’s hands or with a measuring tape [or with a vessel[2]].[3] This applies whether for business or personal related purposes.[4] Thus one who is making Challah on Yom Tov may not measure the amount of flour being used […]

3. Cooking on Yom Tov

It is permitted to cook food on Yom Tov for the sake of eating the food on Yom Tov. It is permitted to cook the foods in their regular fashion, if it would either cause a loss or a diminish of quality of the taste, to have cooked it before […]

May one open the hot water tap on Yom Tov?

Electric boiler: Many Poskim[1] rule it is permitted to open the hot water tap even if cold water enters into the boiler in the process[2], and even if doing so will eventually cause the boiler to turn on due to loss of temperature.[3] Some Poskim[4]however rule it is forbidden if […]

May one adjust a Shabbos clock on Yom Tov?

This follows the same law as Shabbos in which the law is that one may lengthen the current status of the timer but not shorten it. However according to those Poskim[1] who permit Gerama on Yom Tov, seemingly they would allow even shortening the current activity due to Gram Havara. […]

Grama and Pesik Reishei on Yom Tov

May one indirectly cause a flame to ignite on Yom Tov [Gram Havarah]? Some Poskim[1] rule it is permitted to do so. Other Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden. Some[3] write that according to all one may not perform Gram Havarah on a steady basis. One may however be lenient to […]

Electricity on Yom Tov:

It is forbidden to use electricity on Yom Tov just as is the law on Shabbos.[1]   May one raise the temperature of an electric oven or stove on Yom Tov?[2] No, unless one knows for certain that doing so will not extinguish any current currents and will not ignite […]

Marital Relations on the night of the Seder

Marital relations: It is forbidden to perform marital relations on the 1st night of Pesach.[1] This applies to the first night of Pesach; it is however permitted to be performed on the second night of Pesach.[2] Some Poskim[3] however rule that in the Diaspora it is not to be performed […]

The Mitzvos of the Karban Pesach

The Mitzvos: There is a total of 16 Mitzvos related to the Karban Pesach, four positive commands and twelve negative commands. These commands involve the Mitzvah of offering the Karban Pesach as well as the Mitzvah of eating the Karban Pesach. These Mitzvos include:   Positive commands: Mitzvah 5/Positive 4: […]

Who is obligated in the Karban Pesach

Who is obligated?[1] Both men and women are obligated in this Mitzvah of offering and eating. [Those who are impure, or are a distance away from Jerusalem, or are uncircumcised, or are a heretic, are exempt from the Mitzvah.[2]] ___________________________ [1] Rambam 1:1 [2] See Karban Pesach Kehilchaso 5-13 Bookmark

The animal used for the Karban Pesach

The animal:[1] Only a sheep or goat is valid for the Karban Pesach. [Majority of people brought a sheep, while a minority brought a goat.] The gender: The gender of the animal is to be a male. If a female animal was separated, it is invalid.[2] The age: The animal […]

The Slaughtering of The Karban Pesach

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer Shop Now *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Telegram The slaughtering:[1] Where:[2] The animal is slaughtered in any area of the Azarah. When: The animal is slaughtered after midday of the 14th of Nissan, […]

The order of the Karban Pesach on Shabbos

The order on Shabbos:[1] When Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, the Karban Pesach is nevertheless offered, as it pushes off the Shabbos prohibition. One slaughters the animal, throws the blood, removes the feces and offers the fats on Shabbos. However, any other matters involving the Karban does not push off […]

The Mitzvah to eat the Karban Pesach

The Mitzvah to eat:[1] It is a positive command in the Torah for both males and females to eat at least a kezayis of meat of the Pesach sacrifice on the night of the 15th. ____________________________ [1] Rambam 8:1; Regarding the uniqueness of the Mitzvah of eating the Karban Pesach […]

When to eat The Karban Pesach

When: The meat of the Pesach sacrifice on the night of the 15th. Not before nightfall/Tzeis Hakochavim:[1] One does not fulfill the Mitzvah of eating the Karban Pesach prior to nightfall [i.e. Tzeis Hakochavim].[2] Furthermore, if one ate a Kezayis of the meat prior to nightfall, he transgresses a Biblical […]

Roasting the Karban Pesach

The cooking:[1] Roasting:[2] The Pesach meat must be roasted. One who eats a Kezayis of the meat raw, or cooked, transgresses a Biblical command and is liable for lashes. _____________________ [1] See Karban Pesach Kehilchaso 88-111 [2] Rambam 8:4 Bookmark

Gentile guests by night of Seder

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer Shop Now *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Telegram Gentile guests:[1] It is forbidden to invite gentile guests on Yom Tov, for the Yom Tov meal.[2] If, however, the gentile arrived on his own, […]