Introduction to Melachos
What is the list of permitted melachos?
Kneading (lash), cooking and baking (bishul), kindling (mav'ir), and carrying (hotza'ah). These melachos are detailed in Chapter Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine.
In certain cases, selecting and sorting (borer), grinding (tochein), salting (me'abeid), smearing (memarei'ach), and extinguishing (mechabeh) are also permisted. These melachos are detailed in Chapters Ten Eleven, and Eight.
May the permitted melachos be done in all cases?
No, there are many situations when one may not do these melachos. They are:
When they are not regarded as a daily universal need.
When they are not done for that day of Yom Tov (see questions 153 and 189).
For the benefit of non-Jews or animals (see questions 145, 147, and 199).
For no reason whatsoever
What types of actions are not daily universal needs?
Those that are not usually required by most people on a daily basis. For example:
Heating water to bathe the entire body. See Chapter Twelve for more details.
Carrying medicines in a public thoroughfare. Since most people do not take medicines daily, this is not regarded as a general need (see question 196).
Smoking (see question 164)
May one prepare on Yom Tov for the following day?
No, it is permitted to prepare only for the second day of Yom Tov, chol hamoed, or Shabbos following Yom Tov. If an eiruv tavshilin was made, it is permitted to prepare on Yom Tov for Shabbos (see Chapter Three).
May one prepare on the first day of Rosh Hashanah for the second?
Although for some purposes the two days of Rosh Hashanah are considered as one, preparations are forbidden from one day to the next.
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