301. ibid.: The prohibition against performing labor on the seventh day of Passover

In Mitzvah #298, we discussed how the first day of Passover has both a positive aspect (an obligation to refrain from labor) and a negative aspect (a prohibition against performing acts of labor). The same is true of the last day of Pesach. In Mitzvah #300, we discussed the positive aspect; this mitzvah reflects the negative. And, as we have stated, the practice is to observe two days of Yom Tov outside of Israel so “seventh” means “seventh and eighth” for those of us who do not reside there.

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 #324 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos and #148 of the 194 negative mitzvos that can be observed today in the Chofetz Chaim’s Sefer HaMitzvos HaKatzar.