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Exodus 12:16 - Festivals: work or rest?

Exodus 12:16 - שמות 12:16

Hebrew Text

וּבַיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כָּל־מְלָאכָה לֹא־יֵעָשֶׂה בָהֶם אַךְ אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל לְכָל־נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָשֶׂה לָכֶם׃

English Translation

And on the first day there shall be a holy gathering, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy gathering to you; no manner of work shall be done on them, save that which every person must eat, that only may be done by you.

Transliteration

Uvayom harishon mikra-kodesh uvayom hashvi'i mikra-kodesh yihyeh lakhem kol-melakhah lo-ye'aseh vahem akh asher ye'akhel lekhol-nefesh hu levado ye'aseh lakhem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבַיּ֤וֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כׇּל־מְלָאכָה֙ לֹא־יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם אַ֚ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֣ל לְכׇל־נֶ֔פֶשׁ ה֥וּא לְבַדּ֖וֹ יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם׃
וּבַיּ֤וֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כׇּל־מְלָאכָה֙ לֹא־יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם אַ֚ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֣ל לְכׇל־נֶ֔פֶשׁ ה֥וּא לְבַדּ֖וֹ יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Shemot 12:16) appears in the context of the laws of Pesach, specifically regarding the first and seventh days of the festival. The Torah establishes these days as mikra'ei kodesh (holy gatherings), during which melacha (work) is prohibited, with the exception of food preparation.

Meaning of "Mikra Kodesh"

Rashi explains that mikra kodesh refers to a sacred assembly, a time when the Jewish people gather for prayer and Torah study. The Rambam (Hilchot Yom Tov 6:17-20) elaborates that these days are designated for spiritual elevation, resembling Shabbat in their sanctity, though with key differences in permitted activities.

Prohibition of Melacha (Work)

The verse prohibits all melacha except for ochel nefesh (food preparation). The Talmud (Pesachim 50a) derives from this that the prohibition of work on Yom Tov is less stringent than on Shabbat, permitting activities needed for food. The Mechilta emphasizes that this exception applies only to food for human consumption, not for animals.

The Dual Sanctity of the First and Seventh Days

  • First day: Corresponds to the Exodus from Egypt (15th of Nisan), marking the beginning of redemption.
  • Seventh day: Commemorates the splitting of the Yam Suf (Red Sea), the completion of the physical liberation (Mechilta, Bo 7).

Halachic Applications

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 495:1) rules that only food preparation directly related to the Yom Tov meals is permitted. The Mishna Berurah adds that unnecessary labor, even if food-related, remains prohibited. This reflects the balance between physical needs and spiritual sanctity on Yom Tov.

Spiritual Significance

The Sefat Emet teaches that these days are "holy gatherings" because they unite the physical and spiritual dimensions of Jewish life. Permitting food preparation acknowledges the Torah's recognition of human needs, while the prohibition of other work ensures focus on divine service and communal unity.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 68b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of work on the first and seventh days of Passover, emphasizing that only food preparation is permitted.
📖 Megillah 20b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the sanctity of the first and seventh days of festivals, particularly regarding the prohibition of work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 12:16 mean when it says 'no manner of work shall be done' on the first and seventh days?
A: Exodus 12:16 refers to the laws of Passover (Pesach), where the first and seventh days are holy gatherings (mikra kodesh) with restrictions similar to Shabbat. 'No manner of work' means melachah—the 39 categories of creative labor prohibited on Shabbat (based on Talmud, Shabbat 73a). However, preparing food (ochel nefesh) is permitted to ensure people can eat.
Q: Why are the first and seventh days of Passover special according to Exodus 12:16?
A: The first and seventh days of Passover are called 'mikra kodesh' (holy gatherings) because they commemorate key events: the Exodus from Egypt began on the first day, and the splitting of the Red Sea occurred on the seventh (Mechilta, Bo 12). These days are treated as full Yom Tov (festival) days with prayer, festive meals, and restrictions on work.
Q: What is the exception to the 'no work' rule in Exodus 12:16?
A: The verse permits preparing food ('ochel nefesh'—literally 'food for the soul') even on these holy days. This includes cooking, baking, and other food-related tasks necessary for eating (Rashi on Exodus 12:16). However, this does not extend to non-essential labor or food preparation for after the holiday (Mishnah, Beitza 5:2).
Q: How do we apply Exodus 12:16 today during Passover?
A: Today, Orthodox Jews observe the first and seventh days of Passover (in Israel, also the second and eighth days in the Diaspora) as full Yom Tov holidays: no work, attending synagogue, and festive meals. Permitted activities include food preparation (e.g., cooking with a pre-existing flame) but not lighting fires from scratch (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 495:1).
Q: What is the difference between the first/seventh days and the middle days of Passover based on Exodus 12:16?
A: The first and seventh days are full Yom Tov holidays with melachah prohibitions (like Shabbat), while the intermediate days (Chol Hamoed) allow work for essential needs or significant loss (Mishnah, Moed Katan 2:3). Exodus 12:16 specifically elevates the first and seventh days as times of heightened holiness and rest.