Yom Tov Laws: Cooking, Fire & Festival Joy

A person is obligated to rejoice on the festival together with his wife and all members of his household. Therefore:

• He should buy his wife clothing or jewelry.

• He should buy his children gifts in honor of the holiday.

• He should also assist the poor according to his ability.

Men fulfill their obligation of rejoicing primarily through eating meat and drinking wine. Ideally, this refers to beef. If one cannot afford beef or does not enjoy it, he may eat poultry and drink wine.

Yom Tov and Shabbat

The Talmud states: “There is no difference between Yom Tov and Shabbat except for food preparation.”

This means that Yom Tov is essentially like Shabbat in that all Torah and rabbinic prohibitions apply. The key exception is melachot (labors) needed for food preparation (ochel nefesh), which are permitted on Yom Tov.

However, not every type of labor is permitted for food preparation, as explained below.

Using Existing Fire and Lighting a New Fire

• It is forbidden to create a new fire on Yom Tov.

• If someone mistakenly lights a new fire, although it was prohibited, one may still benefit from it.

• It is permitted to transfer an existing flame from one place to another (for example, using a candle or match lit from an existing flame).

Extinguishing Fire on Yom Tov and the “Chagaz” Timer

• It is forbidden to extinguish a flame on Yom Tov.

When finishing cooking on a gas stove: 

• One may not simply turn off the flame.

• Instead, place a pot of water or coffee on the burner and allow it to boil over, thereby extinguishing the flame.

• After the flame goes out, the gas knob may be turned off.

• The boiled water should be used (e.g., for coffee or tea) so that the cooking serves a food-related purpose.

Similarly:

• A match lit from an existing flame should be left to extinguish on its own.

• The same applies to a cigarette.

• Lowering the flame is generally considered extinguishing and is forbidden.

• However, one may lower the flame if necessary to prevent food from burning, since that is considered food-related need.

Today, there are special gas timers (similar to Shabbat timers) that automatically turn off the gas. This device is called a “Chagaz” and is highly recommended.

Cooking on Yom Tov

• Cooking is permitted only for the needs of that same Yom Tov.

• It is forbidden to cook from one Yom Tov for the next Yom Tov 

• It is forbidden to cook from Yom Tov to Shabbat unless one made an Eruv Tavshilin before Yom Tov.

Graters and Peelers

It is permitted to use graters and peelers on Yom Tov.

Squeezing

• It is permitted to squeeze lemons for food use.

• Squeezing other fruits is forbidden.

Bathing

It is permitted to shower on Yom Tov, even with hot water (unlike Shabbat, where this is prohibited).

Muktzeh on Yom Tov

The laws of muktzeh (items forbidden to handle on Shabbat and Yom Tov) apply on Yom Tov just as on Shabbat — and in some respects are even stricter. As Yom Tov is sometimes treated more lightly by people, the Sages enacted additional safeguards.

• On Shabbat, fruit peels and bones fit for animal consumption are not muktzeh.

• On Yom Tov, such peels and bones are considered muktzeh and may not be handled directly.

The solution is to pllace them into a container with some permitted food, and you may then move the container.

• It is permitted to move muktzeh for food-related needs. For example, if stones or a wallet are placed on food, one may remove them to access the food.

• Matches may be handled.

Ice

It is permitted to freeze or break ice on Yom Tov.

Soda

It is permitted to prepare soda.

Carrying (Transferring Between Domains)

It is permitted to carry from one domain to another on Yom Tov (unlike Shabbat, where this requires an eruv).

Medical Treatment on Yom Tov

• Any medical treatment forbidden on Shabbat is also forbidden on Yom Tov.

• However, someone experiencing discomfort (e.g., headache, toothache) may take pain relief medication.

Shabbat Timers

It is permitted to set a Shabbat timer for electrical appliances (such as ovens or hot plates) before Yom Tov begins, but not during Yom Tov itself.

Smoking on Yom Tov

• Someone who regularly smokes may smoke on Yom Tov, as it is considered a personal need.

• One who does not usually smoke and does not suffer from refraining should avoid smoking on Yom Tov.

• Hookah smoking is also permitted for someone accustomed to it.

Bonfire for Warmth

If it is cold, one may light a fire on Yom Tov for warmth, provided the flame is taken from an existing fire and not newly created.

Lighting Yom Tov Candles

It is a mitzvah to light candles on the night of Yom Tov before the holiday begins.

Before lighting, one recites: “Blessed are You, Hashem… who has commanded us to light the Yom Tov candle.”

If Yom Tov falls on Shabbat, one lights for both and recites: “Blessed are You, Hashem… who has commanded us to light the candle of Shabbat and Yom Tov.”

Women should not recite Shehecheyanu at candle lighting, since it is recited later during Kiddush.