Ochel Nefesh
Parsha Pages | January 31, 2025
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Ochel Nefesh

Parsha Pages | June 27, 2025

Needs of food

כָּל-מְלָּאכָּה לֹא-יֵעָּשֶׂה בָּהֶׂם אַךְ אֲשֶׂר יֵאָכֵל לְכָל-נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָּשֶה לָּכֶׂם (שמות יב, טז)

The pausk tells us that the concept of Melachah (thirty-nine primary categories of creative activity) that applies on Shabbos also applies on Yom Tov.

כָּל-מְלָּאכָּה לֹא-יֵעָּשֶׂה בָּהֶׂם
Chaza”l say that the only difference between work prohibition on Shabbos and on Yom Tov is the permission to work on Yom Tov for food. (Pasuk does not mean to eat a soul) Beitzah 28a

יֵאָּכֵל לְכָּל-נֶׂפֶׂש
Limitation to permission to “work” on Yom Tov to certain types of Melachah to be done for a common human need or pleasure. The Torah mentions food preparation as a prototype for all common physical needs.

לְכָּל-נֶׂפֶׂש
Limitation to permission to “work” on Yom Tov for the benefit of a Jew and not for a non-Jew and not for an animal. Beitzah 21a

לָּכֶׂם
Limitation to permission to “work” on Yom Tov only for Melachos done directly to food; however, Melachah related to preliminary stages of food preparation (מַכְשִירִ י אוֹכֶל נֶפֶש) are not permitted. Beitzah 28b

הוּא

Melachos Permitted for Ochel Nefesh

מלאכת אוכל נפש
Restrictions for Melachos not involving direct food procedures (מלאכת עבודה) are not allowed (such as sewing, writing, construction). On the other hand, direct Melachos with food (מלאכת אוכל נפש) for eating purposes on Yom Tov are permitted from the Torah (reaping, threshing, gathering, winnowing, sorting, grinding, kneading, baking, shechting, cooking, picking fruit, capturing animals and transforming from one domain to another). However, Chaza”l placed many restrictions.

  • Although we are permitted to perform Melachah for the sake of Ochel Nefesh, Chaza”l indicate clearly that this does not apply to all Melachos. There is a dispute among the Rishonim as to the criteria for which Melachos are permitted and which are not.
  • According to Rashi and Rambam, we are permitted to do only Melachos that could have not have been performed with equal results before Yom Tov.
  • According to Rosh and Ran, we are permitted to do only Melachos that are normally performed on a small (non-commercial) scale, i.e., on a daily basis.
  • Poskim decided by the stringencies of both opinions. Thus, for the sake of Ochel Nefesh one may only perform a Melachah that is commonly done on a small scale and only if the particular act could not have been done with equal results prior to Yom Tov.
  • With respect to Melachos that are performed on a large scale and sometimes on a small scale (such as sorting and grinding) we may do them only a small scale, i.e. to prepare the quantity of food that is normally consumed in one day.

The Principle of “Mitoch”

Since (the Melachah) was permitted for (food-related) purpose, it was likewise permitted for a non-(food-related) purpose (Beitzah 12b).

  • The principle of “Mitoch” states that when a Melachah is permitted for the sake of Ochel Nefesh then that Melachah is permitted for other purposes as well.
  • This principal applies to four Melachos: הוֹצָאָה (transporting), בישול ואפיה (cooking or baking), שחיטה (slaughtering), and הבערה (kindling). Other Melachos may be performed only for the purpose of fulfilling physical needs.
  • Even these four Melachos may be done only to fulfill a Yom Tov need, such as enhancing the enjoyment of Yom Tov or enabling someone to perform a Mitzvah. They may only be done to provide a benefit that is common to the majority of people.

Preparation

Restrictions from preparing on Yom Tov for another day (even for the second day of Yom Tov)

  • Doing Melachah for the next day’s is not allowed (whether Yom Tov, weekday or Shabbos). The use of an Erev Tavshlin allows preparation for the next day if Shabbos.
  • It is prohibited on Yom Tov to do any post-Yom Tov preparation even if no Melachah is involved. Doing a preventive measure that merely maintains something in the present state is permitted.
  • One may increase the amount רִ יבּוֹי בַּשִ יעוּרִ ים that one needs for Yom Tov (such as cooking a full pot when only need a small amount). This pertains only if the additional amount that is the same item and is included in the same act as the necessary amount.

39 מלאכות

זוֹרֵע Zoreah (Sowing)ProhibitedProhibitedחוֹרֵש Choresh (Plowing)ProhibitedProhibitedקּוֹצֵר Kotzair (Reaping)ProhibitedProhibitedמְע מֵר M'amair (Gathering)ProhibitedProhibitedדָּש Dash (Threshing)ProhibitedProhibitedזּוֹרֶׂה Zoreh (Winnowing)ProhibitedProhibitedבּוֹרֵר Borer (Sorting )Prohibited[generally] permittedטּוֹחֵן Tochain (Grinding)Prohibited[generally] permittedה מְר קֵּד Miraked (Sifting)ProhibitedProhibitedלָּש Lash (Kneading)Prohibited[generally] permittedאוֹפֶׂה וּבִישוּל Ofeh / Bishul (Baking/cooking)Prohibited[generally] permittedגּוֹזֵז Gozez (Shearing)ProhibitedProhibitedמְל בֵּ ן Melabain (Whitening)ProhibitedProhibitedמְנ פֵ ץ Menafetz (Disentangling, Combing)ProhibitedProhibitedצּוֹבֵ ע Tzovayah (Dyeing)ProhibitedProhibitedטּוֹוֶׂה Toveh (Spinning)ProhibitedProhibitedמֵיסֵךְ Maisach (Mounting the warp)ProhibitedProhibitedעוֹשֶׂה שְתֵי בָּתֵי נִירִ ין Oseh Beit Batai Neirin (Setting two heddles)ProhibitedProhibitedאוֹרֵג Oraig (Weaving)ProhibitedProhibitedפוֹצֵע Potzai'ah (Separating threads)ProhibitedProhibitedקוֹשֵר Koshair (Tying a knot)ProhibitedProhibitedמ תִיר Matir (Untying a knot)ProhibitedProhibitedתוֹפֵר Tofair (Sewing)ProhibitedProhibitedקּוֹרֵע Ko'reah (Tearing)ProhibitedProhibitedצָּּד Tzad (Trapping)ProhibitedProhibitedשּׁוֹחֲט Shochet (Slaughtering)Prohibited[generally] permittedמ פְשִ יט Mafshit (Skinning)Prohibited[generally] permittedמְע בֵּד M'abaid (Salting/tanning process)Prohibited[generally] permittedמְ ש רְ טֵ ט Mesharteit (Tracing lines)ProhibitedProhibitedמְמ חֵק Memacheik (Smoothing / scraping)ProhibitedProhibitedמְח תֵק Mechateich (Cutting to shape)ProhibitedProhibitedכוֹתֵב Kotaiv (Writing two or more letters)ProhibitedProhibitedמוֹחֵ ק Mochaik (Erasing two or more letters)ProhibitedProhibitedבּוֹנֶׂה Boneh (Building)ProhibitedProhibitedסוֹתֵר Soiser (Demolishing)ProhibitedProhibitedמְכ בֶּׂה Mechabeh (Extinguishing)Prohibitedonly for actual “ochel nefesh”מ בְעִיר Ma'avir (Kindling)Prohibited[generally] permittedמ כֶׂה בְּפ טִּיש Makeh B'Patish (Striking the final blow)ProhibitedProhibitedהוֹצָּאָּה Hotza'ah – (Transferring from domain to domain)Prohibited[generally] permitted

Based on the first chapter of Nitey Gavriel Hilchos Yom Tov (Chelek Aleph); Chayei Adam; and “The Laws of Yom Tom” by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen

Needs of food

כָּל-מְלָּאכָּה לֹא-יֵעָּשֶׂה בָּהֶׂם אַךְ אֲשֶׂר יֵאָכֵל לְכָל-נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָּשֶה לָּכֶׂם (שמות יב, טז)

The pausk tells us that the concept of Melachah (thirty-nine primary categories of creative activity) that applies on Shabbos also applies on Yom Tov.

כָּל-מְלָּאכָּה לֹא-יֵעָּשֶׂה בָּהֶׂם
Chaza”l say that the only difference between work prohibition on Shabbos and on Yom Tov is the permission to work on Yom Tov for food. (Pasuk does not mean to eat a soul) Beitzah 28a

יֵאָּכֵל לְכָּל-נֶׂפֶׂש
Limitation to permission to “work” on Yom Tov to certain types of Melachah to be done for a common human need or pleasure. The Torah mentions food preparation as a prototype for all common physical needs.

לְכָּל-נֶׂפֶׂש
Limitation to permission to “work” on Yom Tov for the benefit of a Jew and not for a non-Jew and not for an animal. Beitzah 21a

לָּכֶׂם
Limitation to permission to “work” on Yom Tov only for Melachos done directly to food; however, Melachah related to preliminary stages of food preparation (מַכְשִירִ י אוֹכֶל נֶפֶש) are not permitted. Beitzah 28b

הוּא

Melachos Permitted for Ochel Nefesh

מלאכת אוכל נפש
Restrictions for Melachos not involving direct food procedures (מלאכת עבודה) are not allowed (such as sewing, writing, construction). On the other hand, direct Melachos with food (מלאכת אוכל נפש) for eating purposes on Yom Tov are permitted from the Torah (reaping, threshing, gathering, winnowing, sorting, grinding, kneading, baking, shechting, cooking, picking fruit, capturing animals and transforming from one domain to another). However, Chaza”l placed many restrictions.

  • Although we are permitted to perform Melachah for the sake of Ochel Nefesh, Chaza”l indicate clearly that this does not apply to all Melachos. There is a dispute among the Rishonim as to the criteria for which Melachos are permitted and which are not.
  • According to Rashi and Rambam, we are permitted to do only Melachos that could have not have been performed with equal results before Yom Tov.
  • According to Rosh and Ran, we are permitted to do only Melachos that are normally performed on a small (non-commercial) scale, i.e., on a daily basis.
  • Poskim decided by the stringencies of both opinions. Thus, for the sake of Ochel Nefesh one may only perform a Melachah that is commonly done on a small scale and only if the particular act could not have been done with equal results prior to Yom Tov.
  • With respect to Melachos that are performed on a large scale and sometimes on a small scale (such as sorting and grinding) we may do them only a small scale, i.e. to prepare the quantity of food that is normally consumed in one day.

The Principle of “Mitoch”

Since (the Melachah) was permitted for (food-related) purpose, it was likewise permitted for a non-(food-related) purpose (Beitzah 12b).

  • The principle of “Mitoch” states that when a Melachah is permitted for the sake of Ochel Nefesh then that Melachah is permitted for other purposes as well.
  • This principal applies to four Melachos: הוֹצָאָה (transporting), בישול ואפיה (cooking or baking), שחיטה (slaughtering), and הבערה (kindling). Other Melachos may be performed only for the purpose of fulfilling physical needs.
  • Even these four Melachos may be done only to fulfill a Yom Tov need, such as enhancing the enjoyment of Yom Tov or enabling someone to perform a Mitzvah. They may only be done to provide a benefit that is common to the majority of people.

Preparation

Restrictions from preparing on Yom Tov for another day (even for the second day of Yom Tov)

  • Doing Melachah for the next day’s is not allowed (whether Yom Tov, weekday or Shabbos). The use of an Erev Tavshlin allows preparation for the next day if Shabbos.
  • It is prohibited on Yom Tov to do any post-Yom Tov preparation even if no Melachah is involved. Doing a preventive measure that merely maintains something in the present state is permitted.
  • One may increase the amount רִ יבּוֹי בַּשִ יעוּרִ ים that one needs for Yom Tov (such as cooking a full pot when only need a small amount). This pertains only if the additional amount that is the same item and is included in the same act as the necessary amount.

39 מלאכות

זוֹרֵע Zoreah (Sowing)ProhibitedProhibitedחוֹרֵש Choresh (Plowing)ProhibitedProhibitedקּוֹצֵר Kotzair (Reaping)ProhibitedProhibitedמְע מֵר M'amair (Gathering)ProhibitedProhibitedדָּש Dash (Threshing)ProhibitedProhibitedזּוֹרֶׂה Zoreh (Winnowing)ProhibitedProhibitedבּוֹרֵר Borer (Sorting )Prohibited[generally] permittedטּוֹחֵן Tochain (Grinding)Prohibited[generally] permittedה מְר קֵּד Miraked (Sifting)ProhibitedProhibitedלָּש Lash (Kneading)Prohibited[generally] permittedאוֹפֶׂה וּבִישוּל Ofeh / Bishul (Baking/cooking)Prohibited[generally] permittedגּוֹזֵז Gozez (Shearing)ProhibitedProhibitedמְל בֵּ ן Melabain (Whitening)ProhibitedProhibitedמְנ פֵ ץ Menafetz (Disentangling, Combing)ProhibitedProhibitedצּוֹבֵ ע Tzovayah (Dyeing)ProhibitedProhibitedטּוֹוֶׂה Toveh (Spinning)ProhibitedProhibitedמֵיסֵךְ Maisach (Mounting the warp)ProhibitedProhibitedעוֹשֶׂה שְתֵי בָּתֵי נִירִ ין Oseh Beit Batai Neirin (Setting two heddles)ProhibitedProhibitedאוֹרֵג Oraig (Weaving)ProhibitedProhibitedפוֹצֵע Potzai'ah (Separating threads)ProhibitedProhibitedקוֹשֵר Koshair (Tying a knot)ProhibitedProhibitedמ תִיר Matir (Untying a knot)ProhibitedProhibitedתוֹפֵר Tofair (Sewing)ProhibitedProhibitedקּוֹרֵע Ko'reah (Tearing)ProhibitedProhibitedצָּּד Tzad (Trapping)ProhibitedProhibitedשּׁוֹחֲט Shochet (Slaughtering)Prohibited[generally] permittedמ פְשִ יט Mafshit (Skinning)Prohibited[generally] permittedמְע בֵּד M'abaid (Salting/tanning process)Prohibited[generally] permittedמְ ש רְ טֵ ט Mesharteit (Tracing lines)ProhibitedProhibitedמְמ חֵק Memacheik (Smoothing / scraping)ProhibitedProhibitedמְח תֵק Mechateich (Cutting to shape)ProhibitedProhibitedכוֹתֵב Kotaiv (Writing two or more letters)ProhibitedProhibitedמוֹחֵ ק Mochaik (Erasing two or more letters)ProhibitedProhibitedבּוֹנֶׂה Boneh (Building)ProhibitedProhibitedסוֹתֵר Soiser (Demolishing)ProhibitedProhibitedמְכ בֶּׂה Mechabeh (Extinguishing)Prohibitedonly for actual “ochel nefesh”מ בְעִיר Ma'avir (Kindling)Prohibited[generally] permittedמ כֶׂה בְּפ טִּיש Makeh B'Patish (Striking the final blow)ProhibitedProhibitedהוֹצָּאָּה Hotza'ah – (Transferring from domain to domain)Prohibited[generally] permitted

Based on the first chapter of Nitey Gavriel Hilchos Yom Tov (Chelek Aleph); Chayei Adam; and “The Laws of Yom Tom” by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen

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Parsha Pages | January 31, 2025