Asking a Gentile to Turn On Flames or Appliances on Yom Tov

Question:

On Yom Tov, if I do not have an existing flame or active cooking appliance available, is it permitted for me to ask a gentile (such as a maid or helper) to turn on a gas flame, electric burner, hotplate, or other electrical appliance in order to cook or warm food?

Answer:

Ideally and initially, one should ensure that all flames and cooking appliances needed for Yom Tov are turned on before the onset of Yom Tov, or alternatively set up through a timer, so that no new activation is required during Yom Tov itself.

However, if for whatever reason this was not done, and one does not have any flame or active appliance available with which to cook on Yom Tov, then it is permitted to ask a gentile to turn on a flame or electrical cooking appliance on Yom Tov for the purpose of cooking or warming food.

This is permitted because we follow the general principle that Rabbinical melachah performed by a gentile for the sake of a mitzvah is allowed on Shabbat and Yom Tov [i.e. Shvus Deshvus Letzorech Mitzvah]. Now, on Yom Tov, the activation of a flame or electrical appliance is considered by most poskim, and is the final accepted ruling, to be rabbinic in nature rather than biblical. Accordingly, when there is a genuine need related to food preparation, and no alternative is available, one may ask a gentile to turn on a flame or electrical appliance in order to enable cooking on Yom Tov.

Nevertheless, even in such cases, one should limit the request strictly to what is necessary, and whenever possible, return to proper advance preparation so that reliance on this leniency is avoided.

Sources:

P”M in Magidos 110; Maharsham 4:143; Shevet Halevi 8:121; Beir Moshe 6 Elektri 27; Az Nidbaru 12:37; Piskeiy Teshuvos 502:1; Nitei Gavriel 20: 24; Yabia Omer 2:26