What type of labor did the Torah prohibit on Yom Tov? All labor-related prohibitions relevant on Shabbos, the Torah prohibits likewise on Yom Tov. This forbidden form of work is referred to as Meleches Avoda. Meleches Avoda is defined as any work that is forbidden on Shabbos that that does not involve food or drink and is not being done for the sake of food or drink.^[1][These Melachos are forbidden on Yom Tov just like Shabbos, including all their Rabbinical prohibitions.^[2]] However, those prohibitions that relate to foods and drink, in some cases remain Biblically forbidden^[3], in some cases are merely Rabbinically forbidden^[4] and in some cases are completely permitted^[5], as will be explained in C. This permitted form of work is referred to as Meleches Ochel Nefesh.^[6]

The following Melachos are defined as non-food related, Mileches Avoda, and are forbidden on Yom Tov just like on Shabbos:

1. Extinguishing a candle
2. Building
3. Digging, and any other Melacha of the like [to be listed below].

Additional Melachos not brought in Admur ibid:

1. Setira/Destroying
2. Makeh Bepatish/Fixing
3. Ibud/Tanning
4. Mimacheik/Smoothening skin
5. Mechateich/Cutting the skin
6. Koseiv/Writing
7. Mocheik/Erasing
8. Sirtut/Indentations

12. Geziza/shearing

1. Milabein/Whitening
2. Niputz/Carding
3. Tzevia/dyeing
4. Teviyah/Weaving
5. Asiyas Hanirin/Preparing the weaving board with horizontal and/or vertical threads.
6. Nesachas Hamaseicha/Stretching the vertical threads on the weaving board.
7. Ariga/Weaving
8. Betzia/Removing the horizontal or vertical threads from the weaving board.
9. Keshira/Tying
10. Hatara/Untying
11. Tefirah/Sewing
12. Keriah/Tearing

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[1] Admur 495:2

[2] See Admur 495:10, Beis Yosef 495; Semag L.S. 75; Beitza 36b “Whatever is Rabbinically forbidden on Shabbos is likewise forbidden on Yom Tov”; M”B 495:1; Kaf Hachaim 495:2

[3] Such as one who cooks, or does another Melacha, on Yom Tov for after Yom Tov without enough time to benefit from the food. [see Admur 527:8], and such as Machshirei Ochel Nefesh. [see Admur 495:4]

[4] Such as if the Melacha is commonly done for many day’s worth [see Admur 495:9] or it could have been done before Yom Tov and is done without a Shinuiy on Yom Tov. [See Admur 495:5]

[5] Such as Melacha which directly involves food, and one is doing the Melacha with intent to eat the food on Yom Tov, and the Melacha is only commonly performed for the foods of the immediate forthcoming meals, and it could not be performed before Yom Tov, or could have been performed before Yom Tov, but is being done with a Shinuiy. [See Admur 495:5-6]

[6] All Melachos that are done with the actual food or drink, and when a person benefits from the food and drink he is benefiting from the actual Melacha itself (which is done for the sake of eating, or for another Yom Tov need, as will be explained), are called Ochel Nefesh, which the Torah permitted to be done for the sake of eating on Yom Tov, as the verse [Shemos 12:16] states “Ach Asher Yochal Lechol Nefesh Hu Levado Yeaseh Lachem.” [Admur ibid]