Mitzvah —
101
Not to do prohibited labor on Shavuot
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וּקְרָאתֶ֞ם בְּעֶ֣צֶם ׀ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה מִֽקְרָא־קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֑וּ חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֛ם בְּכׇל־מוֹשְׁבֹ֥תֵיכֶ֖ם לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר
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Leviticus 23:21 - "And you shall designate on this very day a holy occasion it shall be for you; you shall not perform any work of labor. [This is] an eternal statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holidays – חֲגִים
It is forbidden to perform labor on Shavuot.
This mitzvah prohibits laborious work (melachet avodah) on the festival of Shavuot. While work that supports food preparation for the holiday is permitted, all other weekday tasks are forbidden. By refraining from work, the Jewish people sanctify the day of the giving of the Torah, dedicating it to prayer, learning, and rejoicing in Hashem’s most precious gift.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Yom Tov 6:1): Establishes the prohibition of labor on Shavuot as equal to that of the other pilgrimage festivals.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 327): The root is to elevate the day as one of holiness and joy, ensuring it is not treated like an ordinary weekday.
- Talmud (Pesachim 68b): Teaches that on Shavuot, one must celebrate both with spiritual pursuits and with physical joy, balancing Torah study with festive meals.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
