Mishneh Torah — Rest on a Holiday (Yom Tov) הלכות שביתת יום טוב, Chapter 4

אֵין מוֹצִיאִין אֶת הָאֵשׁ לֹא מִן הָעֵצִים וְלֹא מִן הָאֲבָנִים וְלֹא מִן הַמַּתָּכוֹת. כְּגוֹן שֶׁחוֹכְכִין אוֹתָן זוֹ בָּזוֹ אוֹ מַכִּין זוֹ בָּזוֹ עַד שֶׁתֵּצֵא הָאֵשׁ. וְכֵן הַנֵּפְט הַחַד בְּיוֹתֵר שֶׁהוּא בְּמַיִם שֶׁמְּנִידִין אוֹתָם עַד שֶׁיִּדָּלֵק. אוֹ כְּלִי זַךְ קָשֶׁה אוֹ זְכוּכִית מְלֵאָה מַיִם שֶׁמַּנִּיחִין אוֹתָהּ כְּנֶגֶד עֵין הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ עַד שֶׁיַּחֲזֹר נָגְהָהּ לַפִּשְׁתָּן וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ וְיִדְלַק. כָּל זֶה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ אָסוּר בְּיוֹם טוֹב. שֶׁלֹּא הֻתַּר בְּיוֹם טוֹב אֶלָּא לְהַבְעִיר מֵאֵשׁ מְצוּיָה. אֲבָל לְהַמְצִיא אֵשׁ אָסוּר שֶׁהֲרֵי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַמְצִיא אוֹתָהּ מִבָּעֶרֶב:

We may not ignite a flame from wood, from stone, or from metal - i.e., by rubbing these surfaces against each other or striking them against each other until a spark is created. Similarly, we may not shake combustible gas which resembles water and can be ignited by shaking it. [Similarly, we may not take] a clear but firm utensil or a glass filled with water and position it in the rays of the sun so that it will radiate light on flax or the like and ignite it. All these and [any] similar activities are forbidden on a holiday.[Our Sages] permitted kindling a flame only from an existing flame. To ignite a fire is forbidden, because it is possible to ignite the fire before the holiday., for there is no way that one could have designated it for use before the holiday.Although the wording of Beitzah 33b appears to support the Ra'avad, the Maggid Mishneh defends the Rambam's view. He also mentions a practical difference. According to the Rambam, if one erred and ignited a flame on a holiday, it would be permissible to make use of it, while according to the Ra'avad this would be forbidden. Shulchan Aruch HaRav 502:1 and the Mishnah Berurah 502:4 permit the use of a flame that was ignited on a holiday.

אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֻתְּרָה הַבְעָרָה בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֶׁלֹּא לְצֹרֶךְ אָסוּר לְכַבּוֹת אֶת הָאֵשׁ אֲפִלּוּ הֻבְעֲרָה לְצֹרֶךְ אֲכִילָה. שֶׁהַכִּבּוּי מְלָאכָה שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ צֹרֶךְ אֲכִילָה כְּלָל. וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁאֵין מְכַבִּים אֶת הָאֵשׁ כָּךְ אֵין מְכַבִּים אֶת הַנֵּר וְאִם כִּבָּה לוֹקֶה כְּמִי שֶׁאָרַג אוֹ בָּנָה:

Although kindling a flame on a holiday is permitted even when there is no necessity, it is forbidden to extinguish a fire. [This applies] even to a fire that is necessary to be kindled for the sake of the preparation of food. For extinguishing [a flame] is a [forbidden] labor, and it is not at all necessary for the preparation of food.Just as one may not extinguish a fire, one may not extinguish a candle. A person who extinguishes [on a holiday] should be [punished by] lashes just like one who weaves or builds.

אֵין מְסַלְּקִין אֶת פִּי הַנֵּר לְמַעְלָה כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּכְבֶּה. וְאֵין מְסִירִין אֶת הַשֶּׁמֶן מִמֶּנּוּ וְאֵינוֹ חוֹתֵךְ אֶת רֹאשׁ הַפְּתִילָה בִּכְלִי. אֲבָל נוֹפֵץ אֶת רֹאשָׁהּ בְּיָדוֹ. אֲגֻדָּה שֶׁל עֵצִים שֶׁהֻדְלְקָה בִּמְדוּרָה כָּל עֵץ שֶׁלֹּא אָחֲזָה בּוֹ הָאֵשׁ מֻתָּר לְשָׁמְטוֹ וְאֵינוֹ דּוֹמֶה לְמֵסִיר שֶׁמֶן מִן הַנֵּר:

It is forbidden to lift the opening of a lamp upward so that it will be extinguished, nor may one remove oil from it, nor may one cut off the top of the wick with a utensil. One may, however, flick the top of the wick with one's hand [to remove the charred portion]. 32b appears to indicate that it is permitted to remove the charred portion of the wick with a utensil as well. The wording of the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 514:10) leaves room for doubt with regard to which view is accepted. In practice, it is customary not to remove the charred portion of any wick - neither by hand nor with a utensil (Mishnah Berurah 514:47).When a bundle of wood has been lit in a fire, it is permitted to remove any piece of wood that did not catch fire. 502:2). This does not resemble removing oil from a lamp.

אֵין מְכַבִּין אֶת הַדְּלֵקָה כְּדֵי לְהַצִּיל מָמוֹן בְּיוֹם טוֹב כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁאֵין מְכַבִּין בְּשַׁבָּת אֶלָּא מְנִיחָהּ וְיוֹצֵא. וְאֵין מְכַבִּין אֶת הַנֵּר מִפְּנֵי תַּשְׁמִישׁ הַמִּטָּה אֶלָּא כּוֹפֶה עָלָיו כְּלִי אוֹ עוֹשֶׂה מְחִצָּה בֵּינוֹ לְבֵין הַנֵּר אוֹ מוֹצִיאוֹ לְבֵית אַחֵר. וְאִם אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לַעֲשׂוֹת אַחַת מִכָּל אֵלּוּ הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר לְכַבּוֹת וְאָסוּר לְשַׁמֵּשׁ עַד שֶׁתִּכְבֶּה מֵאֵלֶיהָ:

It is forbidden to extinguish a fire to save one's money on a holiday, just as extinguishing it on the Sabbath is forbidden. Instead, one should abandon [the burning possessions]. 514:1) allows a leniency: If a person has no other home, and sees his house being consumed by flames, he may put out the fire so that he will have a place to eat his festive meals. As mentioned in the notes on Hilchot Shabbat 12:3, it is customary at present to extinguish raging fires, because there is surely the possibility of a threat to life if they are left unchecked.We may not extinguish a candle [so that it will be permitted to engage in] sexual relations. 21:10). Instead, one should cover it with a utensil, erect a partition, 22:27). or carry it to another room. If none of these alternatives is feasible, it is forbidden to extinguish the candle and it is forbidden to engage in relations until the candle burns out. (Orach Chayim, Responsum 145), who questions the Rambam's intent in adding the last phrase.

מֻתָּר לְטַלְטֵל אֶת הַנֵּר וְהוּא דּוֹלֵק וְאֵין גּוֹזְרִין שֶׁמָּא יִכְבֶּה. וְאָסוּר לְהָנִיחַ אֶת הַנֵּר עַל גַּבֵּי דֶּקֶל וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֶׁמָּא יָבוֹא לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בִּמְחֻבָּר בְּיוֹם טוֹב:

One may carry a candle while it is burning. [Our Sages] did not impose a decree against this lest it become extinguished. It is forbidden to place a candle on a palm tree or the like on a holiday, 21:6-8. From the wording of the Maggid Mishneh, it appears that, for this same reason, it is forbidden to leave a candle on a date palm before the commencement of the holiday, so that it will burn there on the holiday. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 514:6) cites this law with that emphasis. lest one come to make use of an object that is still [growing in the ground] on a holiday.

אֵין מְעַשְּׁנִין בִּקְטֹרֶת בְּיוֹם טוֹב מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מְכַבֶּה. וַאֲפִלּוּ לְהָרִיחַ בָּהּ. וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר לְגַמֵּר אֶת הַבַּיִת וְאֶת הַכֵּלִים שֶׁהוּא אָסוּר. וּמֻתָּר לְעַשֵּׁן תַּחַת הַפֵּרוֹת כְּדֵי שֶׁיֻּכְשְׁרוּ לַאֲכִילָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁמֻּתָּר לִצְלוֹת בָּשָׂר עַל הָאֵשׁ. וּמְמַתְּקִין אֶת הַחַרְדָּל בְּגַחֶלֶת שֶׁל מַתֶּכֶת אֲבָל לֹא בְּגַחֶלֶת שֶׁל עֵץ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מְכַבֶּה. וְאֵין מְכַבִּין אֶת הָאֵשׁ כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּתְעַשֵּׁן הַקְּדֵרָה אוֹ הַבַּיִת:

We may not burn incense on a holiday, for by doing so one extinguishes. 22b states that the incense first extinguishes some of the fire onto which it was placed, and then it catches fire itself and begins to burn. One might think that this would be permitted, because it brings pleasure to people. Nevertheless, our Sages ruled that it is only pleasure that is appreciated by all people - e.g., food - for which one is permitted to perform labor on a holiday, but not pleasure appreciated by only a minority, like fragrance. [This restriction applies even] when one desires to smell [its fragrance]. Surely this is true when one's intent is to impart a fragrance to one's house or one's clothes.It is permitted to smoke produce so that it will be fit to eat, just as it is permitted to roast meat over a fire. One may sweeten mustard using a glowing piece of metal, but one may not use a piece of charred wood for that purpose, because in the process one extinguishes. 511:25).It is forbidden to extinguish a fire so that one's food or one's house will not become smoky. 514:1) allows one to extinguish the fire if there is no other alternative to saving one's food or the place in which one desires to eat one's festive meals.

אֵין נוֹפְחִין בְּמַפּוּחַ בְּיוֹם טוֹב כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲשֶׂה כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהָאֻמָּנִין עוֹשִׂין. אֲבָל נוֹפְחִין בִּשְׁפוֹפֶרֶת. אֵין עוֹשִׂין פֶּחָמִין וְאֵין גּוֹדְלִין אֶת הַפְּתִילָה וְלֹא מְהַבְהֲבִין אוֹתָהּ וְלֹא חוֹתְכִין אוֹתָהּ לִשְׁנַיִם בִּכְלִי. אֲבָל מְמַעֲכָהּ בַּיָּד וְשׁוֹרֶה אוֹתָהּ בְּשֶׁמֶן וּמַנִּיחַ אוֹתָהּ בֵּין שְׁתֵּי נֵרוֹת וּמַדְלִיק בָּאֶמְצַע וְנִמְצֵאת הַפְּתִילָה נֶחְלֶקֶת בְּפִי שְׁתֵּי נֵרוֹת:

We may not blow [on a fire] with a bellows on a holiday, so that we do not follow a craftsman's practice. One may, however, blow with a tube.We may not make charcoal. Nor may we braid wicks, singe them, or cut them in two with a utensil. One may, however, squeeze [a wick until it becomes firmer] by hand. [Similarly, one may] soak it in oil, 514:9). If this were the case, one would be removing the lamp's fuel, and that is considered to be extinguishing. and one may place it between two lamps [with one end in each], and light it in the middle, thus causing the wick to be divided for each of the lamps.

אֵין שׁוֹבְרִין אֶת הַחֶרֶשׂ וְאֵין חוֹתְכִין אֶת הַנְּיָר לִצְלוֹת עֲלֵיהֶם. וְאֵין פּוֹצְעִין אֶת הַקָּנֶה לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ כְּמוֹ שִׁפּוּד לִצְלוֹת בּוֹ מָלִיחַ. שִׁפּוּד שֶׁנִּרְצָף אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא יָכוֹל לְפָשְׁטוֹ בְּיָדוֹ אֵין מְתַקְּנִין אוֹתוֹ. שְׁנֵי כֵּלִים שֶׁהֵן מְחֻבָּרִין בִּתְחִלַּת עֲשִׂיָּתָן כְּגוֹן שְׁתֵּי נֵרוֹת אוֹ שְׁנֵי כּוֹסוֹת אֵין פּוֹחֲתִין אוֹתָן לִשְׁנַיִם מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא כִּמְתַקֵּן כְּלִי:

It is forbidden to break an earthenware shard or cut a piece of papyrus over which to roast [fish]. 4:5). One may not break a reed to use as a spit with which to roast salted [meat or fish]. When a spit has become bent, fixing it is forbidden, even when one can straighten it with one's hands. explains the Rambam's ruling as follows: There is a difference of opinion (Beitzah 28b) between the Sages and Rabbi Yehudah whether one is allowed to perform a forbidden labor to prepare articles that are auxiliaries to cooking on a holiday. When it is possible to prepare these auxiliaries before the holiday, all opinions agree that it is forbidden to do so on the holiday. When, as in the instance of the spit that became askew on the holiday itself, and it is only on the holiday that the auxiliary can be made fit for use, the Sages forbid doing so; Rabbi Yehudah maintains that this is permitted.The Maggid Mishneh maintains that the Rambam rules according to the Sages' position. Others maintain that he accepts Rabbi Yehudah's view, but rules stringently because the Talmud states that one should not publicize the fact that the halachah follows Rabbi Yehudah.The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 509:1) quotes the Rambam's ruling verbatim. The Ramah states that if it is impossible to use the spit at all while it is crooked, it may be straightened. He states, however, that this ruling should not publicized.When two utensils have been attached from the time they were originally fashioned - e.g., two lamps or two cups:4). - it is forbidden to break them into two, since by doing so one makes a utensil fit for use.

אֵין מַשְׁחִיזִין אֶת הַסַּכִּין בְּמַשְׁחֶזֶת שֶׁלָּהּ אֲבָל מְחַדְּדָהּ עַל גַּבֵּי הָעֵץ אוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי חֶרֶשׂ אוֹ אֶבֶן וְאֵין מוֹרִים דָּבָר זֶה לָרַבִּים כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יָבֹאוּ לְחַדְּדָהּ בְּמַשְׁחֶזֶת. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּשֶׁיְּכוֹלָה לַחְתֹּךְ בְּדֹחַק אוֹ שֶׁנִּפְגְּמָה. אֲבָל אִם אֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לַחְתֹּךְ כְּלָל אֵין מַשְׁחִיזִין אוֹתָהּ אֲפִלּוּ עַל הָעֵץ שֶׁמָּא יָבֹא לְהַשְׁחִיזָהּ בְּמַשְׁחֶזֶת. ומִפְּנֵי זֶה אָסְרוּ לְהַרְאוֹת סַכִּין לְחָכָם בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֶׁמָּא תִּהְיֶה פְּגוּמָה וְיֹאמַר לוֹ אָסוּר לִשְׁחֹט בָּהּ מִשּׁוּם פְּגִימָתָהּ וְיֵלֵךְ וִיחַדְּדֶנָּהּ בְּמַשְׁחֶזֶת. וְחָכָם שֶׁרָאָה הַסַּכִּין לְעַצְמוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה מַשְׁאִילָהּ לְעַם הָאָרֶץ:

We may not sharpen a knife with a sharpener. 3:7), the Rambam defines a sharpener as a grinding stone. One may, however, whet it on wood, on a shard, or on a stone. This law should not be publicized, lest [the indiscriminate] come to sharpen it using a sharpener. 28a associates this law with the difference of opinion between Rabbi Yehudah and the Sages mentioned in the notes on the previous halachah. There is, however, a difference of interpretation among the commentaries regarding the definition of these respective positions.The Maggid Mishneh, who maintains that the Rambam does not accept Rabbi Yehudah's position at all, explains that this ruling follows the Sages' view. The Kessef Mishneh clarifies that according to this position, whetting the knife on wood or a shard is not considered grinding at all, and it is therefore permitted.Others, however, explain that the Rambam is quoting the Talmud's view that accepts Rabbi Yehudah's position, but that the Rambam does not desire that the ruling be publicized. According to this view, even Rabbi Yehudah would not allow a knife to be sharpened using a sharpener, because this is a mundane activity, or for other similar reasons. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 509:2) quotes the Rambam's ruling verbatim.When does the above apply? When one is able to [use the knife to] cut with difficulty, or if it was nicked. If, however, one is unable to use it to cut at all, one may not even whet it on wood, lest one come to sharpen it using a sharpener.For this reason, it is forbidden to give a knife to a sage to inspect on a holiday, lest he detect a nick and therefore forbid the use of the knife for slaughtering, and as a result the person will sharpen the knife with a sharpener. If a sage has inspected his own knife, he may lend it to an unlearned person. 498:1).

אֵין מְבַקְּעִין עֵצִים בְּיוֹם טוֹב לֹא בְּקוֹרְדוֹם וְלֹא בְּמַגָּל וְלֹא בִּמְגֵרָה אֶלָּא בְּקוֹפִיץ וּבַצַּד הַחַד שֶׁלּוֹ. אֲבָל לֹא בַּצַּד הָרָחָב מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא כְּקוֹרְדוֹם. וְלָמָּה אָסְרוּ בְּקוֹרְדוֹם וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲשֶׂה כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה בְּחל שֶׁהֲרֵי אֶפְשָׁר הָיָה לוֹ לְבַקֵּעַ מֵעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב. וְלָמָּה לֹא נֶאֱסַר הַבִּקּוּעַ כְּלָל מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר שֶׁיִּפְגַּע בְּעֵץ עָבֶה וְלֹא יוּכַל לְהַבְעִירוֹ וְיִמָּנַע מִלְּבַשֵּׁל. לְפִיכָךְ הִתִּירוּ לְבַקֵּעַ בְּשִׁנּוּי. וְכָל הַדְּבָרִים הַדּוֹמִין לָזֶה מִזֶּה הַטַּעַם הִתִּירוּ בָּהֶן מַה שֶּׁהִתִּירוּ וְאָסְרוּ מַה שֶּׁאָסְרוּ:

We may not chop trees on a holiday using an axe, a sickle, or a saw. [One may use] only a butcher's mace, 4:3). The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 501:1) states that at present, we are not certain what is meant by a butcher's mace. Hence, it is forbidden to chop wood with anything other than a knife. employing its sharp side. One may not employ its wider side, because that is like an axe.Why did the Sages forbid using an axe and the like? So that one will not follow one's weekday practice, for it is possible for a person to chop wood on the day prior to the holiday.Why didn't the Sages forbid chopping wood entirely? Because it is possible that a person will find a particularly thick log that will not catch fire, states that one might infer from the Rambam's wording that it is forbidden to chop any wood that would burn without being chopped. This law is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (loc. cit.:2). and therefore he will be prevented from cooking. Therefore, they permitted him to chop the wood in an atypical manner. In all similar instances, it was for such reasons that [the Sages] permitted whatever they permitted and forbade whatever they forbade.

לֹא תִּכָּנֵס אִשָּׁה בֵּין הָעֵצִים לִטּל מֵהֶן אוּד לִצְלוֹת בּוֹ. וְאֵין סוֹמְכִין אֶת הַקְּדֵרָה וְלֹא אֶת הַדֶּלֶת בִּבְקַעַת שֶׁל קוֹרָה. שֶׁלֹּא הִתִּירוּ לְטַלְטֵל עֵצִים בְּיוֹם טוֹב אֶלָּא לְהַסָּקָה בִּלְבַד:

A woman should not walk among piles of wood to look for a branch [appropriate to use as a spit] for roasting., quoting the Rashba). Although our Sages allowed wood to be carried for the purpose of kindling without being designated before the holiday, this leniency was applied for that reason alone. When one desires to use wood for another purpose, one must designate it before the commencement of the holiday (Rabbenu Nissim, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 502:8). One may not support a pot or a door with a block of wood, for carrying wood on a holiday was permitted solely for the purpose of kindling.

מְסַלְּקִין תְּרִיסֵי חֲנֻיּוֹת וּמַחְזִירִין אוֹתָן בְּיוֹם טוֹב כְּדֵי שֶׁיּוֹצִיא תַּבְלִין שֶׁהוּא צָרִיךְ לָהֶן מִן הַחֲנוּת וְלֹא יִמָּנַע מִשִּׂמְחַת יוֹם טוֹב. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶן צִיר בְּאֶמְצַע אֲבָל יֵשׁ לָהֶן צִיר מִן הַצַּד אָסוּר גְּזֵרָה שֶׁמָּא יִתְקַע. וְשֶׁאֵין לָהֶן צִיר כָּל עִקָּר אֲפִלּוּ בַּבַּיִת מֻתָּר לְהַחֲזִיר:

One may remove the shutters of [cabinets 11b). Rashi interprets the term to be referring to the shutters of storefronts. Even according to his interpretation, this does not refer to a building attached to the ground. in] stores and return them on a holiday 11b). in order to take out spices that one needs from the store, so that one will not be prevented from [experiencing] festive joy.When does the above apply? When the shutters have a hinge in the middle. If, however, the hinge is on the side, it is forbidden. [This is] a decree, [instituted] lest one attach it [firmly]. 10:13). Most commentaries explain that the hinges cannot fit tightly. Rav Kapach, noting the Arabic wording used by the Rambam in his Commentary on the Mishnah (Beitzah 1:5), interprets this as referring to nailing the two entities together permanently. If the shutters do not have hinges at all, it is permitted to return them even at home. 22:25, which states that the doors of cabinets, chests, and the like, which are on hinges, may be removed on the Sabbath but may not be put back in place.

כֵּלִים שֶׁהֵן מְפֻצָּלִין כְּגוֹן מְנוֹרָה שֶׁל חֻלְיוֹת וְכִסֵּא וְשֻׁלְחָן שֶׁהֵן חֲתִיכוֹת חֲתִיכוֹת מַעֲמִידִין אוֹתָן בְּיוֹם טוֹב וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יִתְקַע. לְפִי שֶׁאֵין בִּנְיָן בְּכֵלִים. אֲבָנִים שֶׁל בֵּית הַכִּסֵּא מֻתָּר לְצַדְּדָן בְּיוֹם טוֹב. בִּנְיָן עֲרַאי הוּא וּמִשּׁוּם כְּבוֹדוֹ לֹא גָּזְרוּ:

Utensils made of detachable parts - e.g., candelabra made up of several pieces or a chair or table made up of pieces - may be constructed on a holiday provided one does not firmly attach the pieces.:26), but not on the holidays. [This is permissible] because the forbidden labor of building does not apply to utensils.It is permitted to stack stones to use as a toilet. [Stacking them creates] only a temporary structure, and because of respect for human dignity [the Sages] did not institute any restrictions [regarding this matter].

הָעוֹשֶׂה מְדוּרָה בְּיוֹם טוֹב כְּשֶׁהוּא עוֹרֵךְ אֶת הָעֵצִים אֵינוֹ מַנִּיחַ זֶה עַל זֶה עַד שֶׁיַּסְדִּיר הַמַּעֲרָכָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּרְאֶה כְּבוֹנֶה. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא בִּנְיָן עֲרַאי אָסוּר. אֶלָּא אוֹ שׁוֹפֵךְ הָעֵצִים בְּעִרְבּוּב אוֹ עוֹרֵךְ בְּשִׁנּוּי. כֵּיצַד. מַנִּיחַ עֵץ לְמַעְלָה וּמַנִּיחַ אַחֵר תַּחְתָּיו וְאַחֵר תַּחְתָּיו עַד שֶׁהוּא מַגִּיעַ לָאָרֶץ:

When a person who makes a fire on a holiday sets up the wood, he should not place one log on top of the other in an orderly fashion, for this looks like building. Although this is merely a temporary structure, it is forbidden. Instead, he should either unload all the logs in disarray, or arrange them in order using an irregular manner.What is implied? One should place a log on top and then place another below it, and then another even lower, until one reaches the ground.

וְכֵן הַקְּדֵרָה אוֹחֵז אוֹתָהּ וּמַכְנִיס הָאֲבָנִים תַּחְתֶּיהָ. אֲבָל לֹא יַנִּיחֶנָּהּ עַל גַּבֵּי הָאֲבָנִים. וְכֵן הַמִּטָּה אוֹחֵז הַקְּרָשִׁים לְמַעְלָה וּמַכְנִיס הָרַגְלַיִם תַּחְתֵּיהֶן. אֲפִלּוּ בֵּיצִים לֹא יַעֲמִיד אוֹתָן בְּשׁוּרָה עַל גַּבֵּי שׁוּרָה עַד שֶׁיַּעַמְדוּ כְּמוֹ מִגְדָּל אֶלָּא יְשַׁנֶּה וְיַתְחִיל מִלְּמַעְלָה לְמַטָּה. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה צָרִיךְ שִׁנּוּי:

Similarly, with regard to a pot, one should hold [the pot] and place the stones [to be used as a tripod] beneath it. One may not place the pot on the stones. Similarly, when erecting a bed one should hold the boards above, and place the legs under them. Even when stacking eggs, one should not stack one row above another row until one has erected a tower. Instead, one should depart from one's regular pattern and build from the top downward. Similarly, all other comparable situations require a departure from the norm. permits placing a board over the legs of the table. Although Rav Yosef Karo takes issue regarding this matter in the Kessef Mishneh, in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 315:3) he permits erecting a table in this manner on the Sabbath.

מְסִירִין זְבוּבִין הַנִּתְלִים בַּבְּהֵמָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן עוֹשִׂין חַבּוּרָה. וְאֵין מְיַלְּדִין אֶת הַבְּהֵמָה בְּיוֹם טוֹב אֲבָל מְסַעֲדִין. כֵּיצַד. אוֹחֵז בַּוָּלָד שֶׁלֹּא יִפּל לָאָרֶץ וְנוֹפֵחַ לוֹ בְּחָטְמוֹ וְנוֹתֵן דָּד לְתוֹךְ פִּיו. הָיְתָה בְּהֵמָה טְהוֹרָה וְרִחֲקָה אֶת הַוָּלָד מֻתָּר לְזַלֵּף מִשִּׁלְיָתָהּ עָלָיו וְלִתֵּן בּוּל מֶלַח בְּרַחְמָהּ כְּדֵי שֶׁתְּרַחֵם עָלָיו. אֲבָל הַטְּמֵאָה אָסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהּ כֵּן לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה:

We are permitted to remove fleas that attach themselves to the skin of an animal, although this causes a wound. 23a; Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Beitzah 2:7)]. It is, however, forbidden to comb an animal with an iron comb, for this will surely remove its hair, and is hence forbidden (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 523:2). We may not, however, deliver an animal on a holiday, 18:3), the Rambam explains that this refers to pulling the calf out from the mother, for this involves extra effort. but we may help [the mother] give birth.What is implied? We may hold the calf so that it will not fall on the ground, blow into its nostrils, and place [its mother's] teat in its mouth. If it is a kosher animal and its mother has rejected it, we may pour her afterbirth over it and place a block of salt in her womb, 128b states that the pain that the mother will suffer will cause her to react mercifully to her young. so that she will respond mercifully to it. It is forbidden to do this for a non-kosher animal [that has rejected the animal which it has borne], for the activity is of no avail.).

כְּלִי שֶׁנִּטְמָא מֵעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב אֵין מַטְבִּילִין אוֹתוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב גְּזֵרָה שֶׁמָּא יַשְׁהֶה אוֹתוֹ בְּטֻמְאָתוֹ. וְאִם הָיָה צָרִיךְ לְהַטְבִּיל מַיִם שֶׁבּוֹ מַטְבִּיל אֶת הַכְּלִי בְּמֵימָיו וְאֵינוֹ חוֹשֵׁשׁ. כְּלִי שֶׁהָיָה טָהוֹר לִתְרוּמָה וְרָצָה לְהַטְבִּילוֹ לְקֹדֶשׁ מֻתָּר לְהַטְבִּילוֹ. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה מִטְּבִילוֹת מַעֲלוֹת שְׁאָר הַטֻּמְאוֹת:

When a utensil becomes impure on the day prior to the holiday, it is forbidden to immerse it on the holiday, lest [this leniency cause him] to leave it in a state of impurity [until the holiday]. 18a). Significantly, another rationale for this prohibition is given there - that of Ravva, who explains the reason is that one appears to be making a utensil fit for use on the holiday. The commentaries note that in Hilchot Shabbat 23:8, the Rambam quotes Ravva's view and question why he offers a different rationale here.Among the resolutions offered is that on the holidays there is no prohibition against preparing a utensil for use if it is necessary for the preparation of food. On the Sabbath, by contrast, this is forbidden. If, however, it is necessary for the person to immerse the water in [an impure] vessel, he may immerse the vessel together with its water, without any qualms.It is permitted to immerse a utensil that was ritually pure with regard to terumah, so that one could use it for sacrificial foods. The same applies with regard to other immersions, which are required to ascend to a higher level of ritual purity. 13:2, which explains that although a person immersed himself with the intent of partaking of terumah, he is considered impure and is required to immerse himself again if he desires to partake of meat from the sacrificial offerings. In particular, there are five levels of purity: a person who desires to partake of unconsecrated articles in a state of ritual purity, a person who desires to partake of ma'aser sheni, a person who desires to partake of terumah, a person who desires to partake of sacrificial foods, and one who desires to take part in the burning of the red heifer.

כְּלִי שֶׁנִּטְמָא בְּיוֹם טוֹב מַטְבִּילִין אוֹתוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב. נִטְמָא הַכְּלִי בְּמַשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין שֶׁהֵן וְלַד הַטֻּמְאָה מֵעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב מַטְבִּילִין אוֹתוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב לְפִי שֶׁהוּא טָהוֹר מִן הַתּוֹרָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר בִּמְקוֹמוֹ. וּמַדְלִין בִּדְלִי טָמֵא וְהוּא טָהוֹר מֵאֵלָיו. נִדָּה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ בְּגָדִים לְהַחֲלִיף מַעֲרֶמֶת וְטוֹבֶלֶת בִּבְגָדֶיהָ:

When a utensil becomes impure on a holiday, it may be immersed on the holiday. When a utensil becomes impure as a result of contact with liquids that are a secondary source of impurity, the utensil may be immersed on the holiday, because according to Scriptural law it is ritually pure, as will be explained in the appropriate place. 7:1-2, when a liquid comes in contact with a primary source of impurity, it becomes impure. According to Scriptural law, contact with this impure liquid does not cause an object to contract ritual impurity. Nevertheless, our Sages decreed that foods and utensils that come in contact with this impure liquid should be considered impure.The Rambam explains that since the impurity is Rabbinic in origin, our Sages did not forbid immersing this utensil on a holiday so that it could be used in a state of purity. Rabbi Mordechai HaCohen and the Rashba note that Beitzah, loc. cit., offers a different rationale, and they question why the Rambam deviates from the source. The later commentaries, however, justify the Rambam's position.We may draw water [from a well] with a bucket that is ritually impure, although it becomes ritually pure in the process.A woman who is impure because of menstrual bleeding and who has no pure clothes [into which] to change [after her immersion] may act with guile and immerse herself in her clothes.

דְּבָרִים רַבִּים אָסְרוּ בְּיוֹם טוֹב מִשּׁוּם גְּזֵרַת מִקָּח וּמִמְכָּר. כֵּיצַד. אֵין פּוֹסְקִים דָּמִים לְכַתְּחִלָּה עַל הַבְּהֵמָה בְּיוֹם טוֹב אֶלָּא מֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי בְּהֵמוֹת שָׁווֹת זוֹ לָזוֹ וְשׁוֹחֲטִין אַחַת מֵהֶן וּמְחַלְּקִין בֵּינֵיהֶן וּלְמָחָר יוֹדְעִין כַּמָּה דְּמֵי הַשְּׁנִיָּה וְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד נוֹתֵן דְּמֵי חֶלְקוֹ. כְּשֶׁהֵן מְחַלְּקִין בֵּינֵיהֶן לֹא יֹאמַר זֶה אֲנִי בְּסֶלַע וְאַתָּה בִּשְׁנַיִם שֶׁאֵין מַזְכִּירִין שׁוּם דָּמִים אֶלָּא זֶה נוֹטֵל שְׁלִישׁ וְזֶה רְבִיעַ:

Our Sages forbade many activities on a holiday as a decree, [instituted] lest people become involved in commercial activity. 23:12), the Sages forbade commercial activity on the Sabbath lest one write. The rulings regarding the holidays are somewhat more lenient than on the Sabbath, in order to allow one to purchase food for the holiday, but as a whole the prohibition remains in force.What is implied? At the outset, one should not set a price for an animal on a holiday. Instead, one should bring two animals of equal value, and slaughter one of them and divide the meat among [the interested parties]. On the following day, the price should be established by [evaluating] the second animal. Each of the parties should pay according to the portion they took.When these parties divide [the meat] among themselves, they should not say, "I will take a sela's worth. Take two selaim worth yourselves," for it is forbidden to mention money at all. Instead, one should take a third of the animal, another a fourth, [dividing it in fractional portions]. 500:1) states that it is permitted to enter into such a partnership agreement on a holiday only with a Jew, but not with a gentile.

כְּשֶׁהֵן מְחַלְּקִין לֹא יִשְׁקְלוּ בְּמֹאזְנַיִם שֶׁאֵין מַשְׁגִּיחִין בְּכַף מֹאזְנַיִם כָּל עִקָּר. אֲפִלּוּ לִתֵּן בּוֹ בָּשָׂר לְשָׁמְרוֹ מִן הָעַכְבָּרִים אָסוּר אִם הָיוּ הַמֹּאזְנַיִם תְּלוּיִין מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּרְאֶה כְּשׁוֹקֵל בְּכַף מֹאזְנַיִם. וְטַבָּח אֻמָּן אָסוּר לִשְׁקל בְּיָדוֹ. וְאָסוּר לִשְׁקל בִּכְלִי מָלֵא מַיִם. וְאֵין מְטִילִין חַלָּשִׁים עַל הַמָּנוֹת. אֲבָל מְטִילִין חַלָּשִׁים עַל בְּשַׂר הַקָּדָשִׁים בְּיוֹם טוֹב כְּדֵי לְחַבֵּב אֶת הַמִּצְוָה:

When they divide [the meat], they should not weigh it on a scale, for a scale should not be used at all [on a holiday]. (Orach Chayim 500:2) states that it is forbidden to weigh meat even to know how much to use when cooking. Indeed, when a scale is hanging, it is forbidden to place meat on it to protect [the meat] from [being taken by] mice, because it appears as if one were weighing meat on a scale.An experienced butcher may not weigh meat by hand. Nor may one weigh [meat] using a container filled with water.We may not cast lots for portions [of meat]. We may, however, cast lots for sacrificial meat on a holiday in order to encourage endearment for the mitzvot. 149b, the source for this halachah, states that one should not cast lots "for portions of חול." Rashi, the Ra'avad, and others interpret this to refer to portions of sacrificial meat that were offered during the week. The Rambam, by contrast, interprets this to refer to non-sacrificial meat.

לֹא יֹאמַר אָדָם לַטַּבָּח תֵּן לִי בְּדִינָר בָּשָׂר אֶלָּא תֵּן לִי חֵלֶק אוֹ חֲצִי חֵלֶק וּלְמָחָר עוֹשִׂין חֶשְׁבּוֹן עַל שָׁוְיוֹ. וְכֵן לֹא יִקַּח מִבַּעַל הַחֲנוּת בְּמִדָּה אוֹ בְּמִשְׁקָל אֶלָּא כֵּיצַד הוּא עוֹשֶׂה. אוֹמֵר לַחֶנְוָנִי מַלֵּא לִי כְּלִי זֶה וּלְמָחָר נוֹתֵן לוֹ שָׁוְיוֹ. וַאֲפִלּוּ הָיָה כְּלִי הַמְיֻחָד לְמִדָּה יְמַלְּאֶנּוּ וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יַזְכִּיר לוֹ שֵׁם מִדָּה:

A person should not tell a butcher, "Give me a dinar's worth of meat." Instead, he should say, "Give me a portion" or "...half a portion." On the following day, they should reckon its worth.Similarly, a person should not take a [specific] measure or weight [of goods] from a storekeeper. What should he do instead? He should tell the storekeeper, "Fill this container for me," and on the following day he should pay him for its value. Even if it is a container that is used for measuring, he may fill it, provided he does not mention any [specific] measure. 3:8). This change in thinking appears to result from the Rambam's understanding of Rav Yitzchak Alfasi's rulings with regard to Beitzah 29a, the Talmudic passage on which this halachah is based (Rav Kapach). (See also the gloss of the Kessef Mishneh.)

הַנַּחְתּוֹם מוֹדֵד תַּבְלִין וְנוֹתֵן לַקְּדֵרָה בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁלֹּא יַפְסִיד תַּבְשִׁילוֹ. אֲבָל הָאִשָּׁה לֹא תָּמֹד קֶמַח לְעִסָּה. וְכֵן לֹא יָמֹד אָדָם שְׂעוֹרִים לִתֵּן לִפְנֵי בְּהֶמְתּוֹ אֶלָּא מְשַׁעֵר וְנוֹתֵן לָהּ:

A chef states that this does not apply only to a chef, but to anyone. Why does Beitzah 29a, the source for this halachah, mention a chef? Because "the Sages spoke about commonplace events."Why is a person granted this leniency? Because if he does not use the proper amount of spices, he will spoil the flavor of the food he is preparing. In the other instances mentioned in this halachah, the person will not suffer a loss from making an approximation.Rav David Arameah differs, and explains that this law applies only to a chef, for his professional reputation depends on even a slight deviation from the desired flavor. An ordinary person, by contrast, will not be inordinately upset if the flavor is affected slightly, because he uses a slightly larger or smaller amount of spices.Although the Tur follows Rav David Arameah's view, when quoting this law the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 504:4) mentions "a person," rather than a chef. may measure spices and add them to a dish so that the food will not spoil. A housewife, by contrast, should not measure [the quantity of] flour [to use] for dough, nor should a man measure the barley groats he places before his animal. Instead, he should approximate [the appropriate amount], and give that to it.

וּמֻתָּר לִקַּח מִן הַחֶנְוָנִי בֵּיצִים וֶאֱגוֹזִים בְּמִנְיָן. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יַזְכִּיר לוֹ שׁוּם דָּמִים וְלֹא סְכוּם מִנְיָן. כֵּיצַד סְכוּם הַמִּנְיָן. הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיָה נוֹשֶׁה בּוֹ עֲשָׂרָה רִמּוֹנִים אוֹ עֲשָׂרָה אֱגוֹזִים לֹא יֹאמַר לוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב תֵּן לִי עֲשָׂרָה כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לְךָ עֶשְׂרִים אֶצְלִי אֶלָּא לוֹקֵחַ סְתָם וּלְמָחָר עוֹשֶׂה חֶשְׁבּוֹן:

It is permitted to take a specific number of eggs and nuts from a storekeeper. The same is true for other similar products, provided one does not mention money or the sum of his account.What is meant by "the sum of his account"? When a person owes [a storekeeper] for ten pomegranates or ten nuts, he should not tell him on a holiday, "Give me ten more so that I will owe you for twenty." Instead, he should take the [second ten] without any comment and make a reckoning on the following day.

הוֹלֵךְ אָדָם אֵצֶל חֶנְוָנִי אוֹ רוֹעֶה הָרָגִיל אֶצְלוֹ אוֹ אֵצֶל הַפַּטָּם הָרָגִיל אֶצְלוֹ וְלוֹקֵחַ מִמֶּנּוּ בְּהֵמוֹת וְעוֹפוֹת וְכָל מַה שֶּׁיִּרְצֶה וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יַזְכִּיר לוֹ שׁוּם דָּמִים וְלֹא סְכוּם מִנְיָן:

A person may approach a storekeeper, 29b, the source for this halachah. Authoritative manuscripts and early printings of the Mishneh Torah do not contain this word. a shepherd, or a person who raises animals and with whom he frequently does business and take an animal, fowl, or anything else that he requires. (Orach Chayim 517:1) states that this applies only when the storekeeper is Jewish. If he is non-Jewish, we may not take anything that might have been harvested or snared on the holiday. This is permitted provided one does not mention money or the sum of his account.

הַלְוָאַת יוֹם טוֹב תּוֹבְעִין אוֹתָהּ בְּדִין שֶׁאִם תֹּאמַר לֹא נִתְּנָה לְהִתָּבַע אֵינוֹ נוֹתֵן לוֹ כְּלוּם וְנִמְצָא נִמְנָע מִשִּׂמְחַת יוֹם טוֹב:

We may sue [for the payment of] a loan granted on a holiday in a court of law. For if no suit could be brought, no one would ever give [a borrower] anything, and he would be prevented from celebrating on the holiday.

אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין מַגְבִּיהִין תְּרוּמָה וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת בְּיוֹם טוֹב אִם הָיוּ לוֹ תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת שֶׁהִגְבִּיהָן מֵאֶמֶשׁ הֲרֵי זֶה מוֹלִיכָן לַכֹּהֵן בְּיוֹם טוֹב. וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר חַלָּה וּזְרוֹעַ וּלְחָיַיִם וְקֵיבָה שֶׁמּוֹלִיכָן לַכֹּהֵן בְּיוֹם טוֹב. וְגַּבָּאֵי צְדָקָה גּוֹבִין מִן הַחֲצֵרוֹת בְּיוֹם טוֹב. וְלֹא יִהְיוּ מַכְרִיזִין כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁמַּכְרִיזִין בְּחל. אֶלָּא גּוֹבִין בְּצִנְעָה וְנוֹתְנִין לְתוֹךְ חֵיקָן וּמְחַלְּקִין לְכָל שְׁכוּנָה וּשְׁכוּנָה בִּפְנֵי עַצְמָהּ:

Although it is forbidden to separate terumah or the tithes on a holiday, 23:15. if a person has terumah or tithes that he had separated on the previous day, he is permitted to bring them to a priest on the holiday. Needless to say, [it is permitted] to bring challah, and the foreleg, the jaw, and the maw [of an animal that is slaughtered] 9:1.) to a priest on a holiday.). (See also Chapter 3, Halachah 8 and notes.)Collectors for a charitable fund may collect [food] from courtyards on holidays. They should not, however, announce [their presence] as they do during the week. Instead, they should make their appeal in a modest manner, [the donations] should be given them, and then they should distribute them to every neighborhood separately.