by Rabbi Yair Hoffman Rabbi, we have this great new dip recipe for Challah. It has olive oil, rosemary, salt, crushed red hot pepper, and whole and freshly crushed garlic. May I crush the garlic on Yom Tov? The short answer is yes, but with a shinui – doing it in a different way. Here is why. We know, of course, that there are 39 forbidden categories of Malacha on Shabbos. Hashem is the creator of the world and He did so in six days – on the seventh day He stopped creating. REMEMBERING THE CONCEPT To help remember the concept, we refrain from the 39 categories of creative acts. We do so both on Shabbosim as well as on Yomim Tovim. However, there are six specific creative acts which are slightly different on Yom Tov than they are on Shabbos. WHAT’S THE TaBLe HOCK? The six malachos which are different are: (1) Tochain (Grinding), (2) Borer (selecting) and (3) Losh (kneading). (4) Hotzaah (Carrying), (5) Cooking, (6) Kindling (lighting a fire).  To help remember them, a mnemonic is T.aB.L.e HO.C.K. ONLY FOR YOM TOV NEEDS These six Malachos are only permitted on Yom Tov for the needs of Yom Tov. If they are done for a weekday, or even for the second day of Yom Tov, one has violated a Torah prohibition. As an example, one may not carry on Yom Tov if there is no reason to be carrying that item. If one can throw out a napkin, then it is forbidden to carry out that napkin on Yom Tov. Why are these malachos modified for Yom Tov? Because there is a verse in the Torah that says one is permitted to do food-preparing malachos on Yom Tov for Yom Tov. Why then are they somewhat restricted? The answer is that there is a Gemorah that tells us that we cannot just do everything. The Mishna in Baitzah (23b) says that we are not permitted to fish. The Gemorah in Baitzah (2b) also tells us that we may not reap or harvest crops. So far then, we have at least two exceptions: Fishing and reaping. Why these particular exceptions? TWO REASONS IN THE RISHONIM There are two possible reasons found in the Rishonim. Reason #1 – The sages did not want us putting off what we could have done beforehand if there is no significant difference in taste. In fishing and reaping – the fish tastes the same and so does the fruit, whether it was done on Yom Tov or the day before Yom Tov. {This is the Rambam’s reason in Hilchos Yom Tov 1:5}. Since this is the case, we should have done these beforehand. Reason #2 – Fishing and harvesting are usually done on a fairly large scale. The sages did not want people doing any of these activities – either because they resemble regular weekday activities or because of a concern that these activities will be done on a larger scale and food will be prepared for the days that follow Yom Tov. {These are the explanations of the Rosh and Ran respectively in tractate Baitzah.} So how do we Pasken? Do we rule like the Rambam or like the Rosh and Ran? Ashkenazic Jews rule like both of these opinions. In other words, […]