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General Laws of the Festival
The central idea behind a day of Mo'ed, Festival, is that of interrupting our active life to contemplate the truths at the foundation of our existence and to gather strength for the activities of life.
The prohibition of Melacha, activity that Jewish law considers to be a form of work, requires that the transformation and improvement of the material world stop.
However, in a case where further preparation is required for the festival itself, in order for the festival to
become a time of Simcha, happiness, certain activities are permitted.
Activity which directly produces "natural enjoyment" for the celebration of the festival is permitted, however it must be done in a certain way, in keeping with the aura of the Festival.
Prohibition of Work |
Other Forbidden Activities |
Rabbinic Prohibitions
2nd Day of Yom Tov in the Diaspora |
Laws of Eruv Tavshilin
- The prohibition of work does not apply to:
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The preparation of food that could not be done on the previous day.
- The preparation of food, whose quality is improved by preparation on
Yom Tov.
- All food preparation that results in use of food for that day only.
- The prohibition does not apply to slaughtering, breading, baking, roasting, cooking, grinding
spices (that would otherwise lose flavor), kindling and burning, carrying, extinguishing if
indispensable in preparation of food.
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Forbidden Activities -
the rest of the 39 Melachot of Shabbat: e.g., plowing, sowing,
trapping, building and fashioning utensils, making cheese and butter.
- Rabbinic Prohibitions
- Acts similar to Melacha (activity defined as "work" in Jewish law) - e.g., sharpening knives, producing fire.
- Acts that might lead to Melacha - e.g., feeding animals not yet caught.
- Yom Tov Sheni - Second day of Yom Tov in the Diaspora.
Where observed, it is the same as the first day. It is also common practice for tourists in Israel and Israelis in the Diaspora observe this second day.
- Eruv Tavshilin
When Yom Tov falls on a Friday, baked and boiled food is put away on the eve of Yom Tov and a declaration is made, which sets a condition allowing one to cook for Shabbat on Yom Tov. This is not a prayer, and it is therefore preferable to say it in a language with which you are familiar. The food with which the declaration is made, known as Eruv Tavshilin, is eaten on Shabbat.
- Hallel, praise of God for His miracles, is recited on a Yom Tov.
- Kiddush is recited to sanctify the Festival with words and the text of the Kiddush itself makes reference to the specific festival being celebrated.
- After Yom Tov, Havdalah is recited, without spices and without a candle.
Written by Rabbi Mordechai Becher, of Ohr
Somayach Institutions and edited by Rabbi Reuven Lauffer & Rabbi Moshe Newman. Check out the Ohr Somayach Shavuot site!
More links in Shavuot Customs
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