Mitzvah —
93
Not to do prohibited labor on Yom Kippur
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כׇּל־מְלָאכָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֑וּ חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכֹ֖ל מֹשְׁבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר
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Leviticus 23:31 - "You shall not perform any work. [This is] an eternal statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holidays – חֲגִים
It is forbidden to perform labor on Yom Kippur.
This mitzvah forbids any type of labor (melachah) on Yom Kippur, just as on Shabbat. Unlike other holidays where certain labors connected to food preparation are permitted, Yom Kippur is uniquely strict — all forms of labor are prohibited. This ensures that the day is wholly devoted to prayer, repentance, and seeking forgiveness, without distractions of worldly tasks.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Shevitat Asor 1:2): Clarifies that the prohibition of labor on Yom Kippur is equal in severity to Shabbat, carrying the penalty of karet for transgression.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 314): The root is to focus entirely on teshuvah and atonement, unburdened by work or material concerns.
- Talmud (Yoma 74b): Derives from the Torah that labor on Yom Kippur is strictly forbidden, beyond even the stringencies of other festivals.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
