Pinchas 28:16–28:18 · EXTRA 1 — mikra kodesh permits food preparation on the festival

Parashas Pinchas · EXTRA side-ring · Passuk 28:18

The Complete Passuk

בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ כָּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ׃

On the first day a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.

Chabad.org — 28:18

Source Citation

Sifrei Bamidbar 147

Sefaria — Sifrei Bamidbar 147

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ – אַרְעוֹ בְּמַאֲכָל וּבְמִשְׁתֶּה וּבִכְסוּת נְקִיָּה. כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ – מַגִּיד שֶׁאָסוּר בַּעֲשִׂיַּת מְלָאכָה. וּמִנַּיִן לְהַתִּיר בּוֹ אֹכֶל נְפָשׁוֹת? נֶאֱמַר כָּאן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ.

English: “On the first day a holy convocation” — observe it with food and drink and clean garments. “You shall do no laborious work” — this teaches that work is forbidden. And from where do we permit food preparation? “Holy convocation” is said here and there [regarding Pesach].

Type of Learning

Festival work ban with ochel nefesh exception.

What Is Learned

The first day of Pesach is celebrated with festive meals while labor is barred.