ויקרא, פרק כ״ג, פסוק ז׳

The opening of the festival season begins by setting aside the first day for communal gathering and a pause from everyday labor. Because this day represents the very beginning and core essence of redemption [שפתי כהן], it demands a unique standard of behavior that clearly separates it from ordinary weekdays. The call for a holy gathering establishes a dedicated time for people to come together and focus on spiritual matters [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, this holiness is not meant to remain purely spiritual. It translates into practical actions, as the day is actively sanctified through enjoying food, drinking, and dressing in clean clothing [אדרת אליהו].

To maintain this distinct atmosphere, specific limits are placed on daily labor. There are differing perspectives on exactly what types of activities are restricted. One view suggests that the restriction is absolute, forbidding even critical tasks necessary to prevent financial loss [רש״י, מובא בטור הארוך ובפירושי רד צ הופמן]. However, the primary approach among commentators strongly opposes this. They maintain that the restriction specifically targets tasks of physical toil and heavy labor. This includes agricultural work like sowing, reaping, and digging, as well as any general labor done for financial gain or livelihood.

By defining the restriction as one of heavy toil, everyday activities meant for personal enjoyment, such as cooking and preparing food, are intentionally permitted. While agricultural work is an objective labor that serves the material world, preparing food is a subjective, personal pleasure perfectly suited for a festival [רמב״ן, רבנו חננאל, רש ר הירש, רד צ הופמן]. Because the permission to prepare food is already established clearly regarding the Passover holiday, it is understood as a general rule here as well. The instruction simply uses a brief summary to cover all forbidden heavy labor, with the clear, underlying assumption that preparing meals remains entirely permitted [רמב״ן, טור הארוך]. Furthermore, this specific definition of labor excludes actions that require wisdom and skill rather than physical exertion. Therefore, activities like blowing a ram's horn or carefully removing baked bread from an oven do not fall under the category of forbidden work [אדרת אליהו].