1,010. Yom Tov vs. Shabbos

Shvisas Yom Tov 1:16

Bathing and anointing fall into the same general category as eating and drinking. So they are permitted on yom tov based on the aforementioned Exodus 12:16, “Only that from which all souls may eat….” In other words, all of one’s bodily needs may be met on yom tov. Accordingly, one may heat water on yom tov to wash his hands and feet. One is not permitted, however, to wash the entire body; this was prohibited so that people would not come to visit bathhouses on yom tov. If water was heated before yom tov began, it is permitted to wash one's entire body with it on yom tov; this was not prohibited on yom tov, only on Shabbos.

Shvisas Yom Tov 1:17

Anything that is prohibited on Shabbos because it resembles a forbidden type labor, out of concern that it might lead to performing an act of forbidden labor, or to encourage rest, is likewise prohibited on yom tov unless it is necessary for the preparation of food and or for similar permitted purposes, as will be explained. If an object may not be handled on Shabbos, it may not be handled on yom tov except for the preparation of food and similar purposes. Whatever may be done on Shabbos may also be done on yom tov. There is, however, a type of prohibition that applies on yom tov and not on Shabbos, namely the prohibition of muktzeh. [This is not “muktzeh” in the sense that we normally use the word, which refers to items we may not handle on Shabbos.] The reason that muktzeh is prohibited on yom tov but permitted on Shabbos is that, since yom tov is more lenient than Shabbos, the Sages were concerned that people might come to treat it lightly. [This will be explained further in the next halacha.]