323. You Know the Drill: The prohibition against performing labor on Shemini Atzeres

As we have seen numerous times by this point, labor on a Festival is a two-pronged affair: there is an obligation to refrain from it and a prohibition against performing it. In this mitzvah, we have the prohibition against performing acts of creative labor on Shemini Atzeres. (Again, one may do what is necessary for the day’s food.)

As we have said before, labor is banned so that the holidays should not be turned into “just another day.” We put our daily tasks aside so we can connect with God and enjoy things of a higher, more spiritual nature.

This mitzvah applies to both men and women in all times and places. It is discussed in the Talmud in the tractates of Beitza (8a-9a) and Makkos (21b-22a). It is codified in the Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim 495. This mitzvah is #328 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos and #154 of the 194 negative mitzvos that can be observed today in the Chofetz Chaim’s Sefer HaMitzvos HaKatzar.