Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Measuring on Yom Tov

It is forbidden to weigh or measure objects on Shabbos and Yom Tov. This prohibition is mid’rabonon, and the Rishonim offer a number of reasons for their decree. First, weighing and measuring fall into the category of uvdin d’chol-- weekday activities. Second, they are business activities and are included in the general prohibition of conducting business on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Measuring for a mitzvah purpose (e.g. measuring a kiddush cup to determine that it holds a revi’is) is permitted. The poskim disagree about whether weighing for the purpose of a mitzvah is also permitted. The lenient view only allows weighing with a home scale, not one that is used in a commercial setting. According to this opinion, one may weigh a piece of matzah on Pesach to see if it is a k’zayis.

[ שו"ע תק, ב, ומשנ"ב ח; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 7-6]

Weighing an item on Yom Tov

The prohibition against weighing on Shabbos and Yom Tov encompasses even weighing that is not done to an exact measurement. This is in contrast to measuring, which is permitted in certain circumstances if one is not measuring exactly. The reason for the difference is that approximate measurement does not look like measuring; it simply looks like pouring or scooping something into a utensil. Weighing on a scale always appears to be an act of weighing, even if it is done in an inexact fashion. Determining an approximate weight by picking up an object is permissible. A professional who can determine an exact weight in this manner may do so in his home, but not in a commercial setting.

[ שו"ע תק, ב, ומשנ"ב ח, יב ו־יג; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 8]

Etching letters on food on Yom Tov

It is forbidden to cut food into an intricate form or picture on Shabbos and Yom Tov. It is also forbidden to etch out a picture or words on the food. Cutting food into simple shapes, such as a triangle or circle, is permissible. In earlier times, it was common for a butcher to carve a hole into a piece of meat to create a handle for the customer to hold when taking the meat home. Such holes should not be cut on Yom Tov, to avoid the appearance of conducting business.

[ שו"ע תק, ג, ומשנ"ב טו ו־יז; וראה שעה"צ יט; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 12 ו־13 ,בהחרבה ע"פ המקור; וראה שם שמ, 26 ו־33]

It is forbidden to conduct a sale on Shabbos and Yom Tov, even if there is no actual transfer of money.

If a person needs to purchase an item to be used on Shabbos or Yom Tov, however, he may do so with the intention of paying for the item after Shabbos, provided that the price of the item is not mentioned.

An expensive item designated for forbidden labor is muktzeh and may not be moved on Shabbos or Yom Tov. This is known as muktzeh machmas chisoron kis. The poskim disagree about whether this type of muktzeh can be used on Yom Tov for ochel nefesh purposes.

Salting meat on Yom Tov

Salting an entire animal on Yom Tov

Food preservation on Shabbos and Yom Tov

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this email is for learning purposes only. Please review the Mishna Berura and Biurim U'Musafim before making a halachic decision. Hebrew words are occasionally transliterated to enable a smoother reading of the text. Common Ashkenazi pronunciation is generally used in these cases.