Kvod Harabbonim,

I came across a piece in Beitza 3a regarding Melochos of food preparation on Yom Tov, and am puzzled by something you mention.

>>(b) RASHI (23b) writes, like the Rambam, that any Melachah which can be done before Yom Tov is prohibited on Yom Tov. However, Rashi implies that it is prohibited mid'Oraisa and not just mid'Rabanan as the Rambam maintains. The RAMBAN (in Milchamos, 23b) rejects Rashi's opinion. He asks that according to Rashi one should be permitted to pick fruit on Yom Tov when that fruit would spoil if picked before Yom Tov.

Perhaps Rashi maintains that only categories of Melachah which are normally done before Yom Tov are prohibited, as the Rambam and Ra'avad maintain (as mentioned above). Since most fruits remain fresh for at least a day after they are picked, one is prohibited to pick any fruit on Yom Tov, even a type which will not remain fresh when picked a day earlier.

This also answers the question of TOSFOS (3a, DH Gezeirah), who questions Rashi's explanation from the opinion of the Chachamim with regard to "Machshirei" Ochel Nefesh. Rebbi Yehudah and the Chachamim (28b) argue whether Machshirei Ochel Nefesh (secondary acts of food preparation, such as sharpening a skewer in order to roast meat on it) may be done on Yom Tov even if they could have been done the day before.

The Chachamim permit such Melachos even when they could have been done the day before. According to Rashi's explanation, it is not logical that Melachos of food preparation should be permitted on Yom Tov only when they could not have been done before Yom Tov, while Machshirin, which are only indirectly involved with food preparation, are permitted on Yom Tov even when they could have been done before Yom Tov.

The answer to this question is that a Melachah of Machshirin is permitted only when it is done in preparation for a Melachah of Ochel Nefesh which normally must be done the same day. When the specific Machshir can be done before Yom Tov but the primary Melachah of Ochel Nefesh (which the Machshir makes possible) can be done only on Yom Tov, its Machshir is permitted on Yom Tov as well. A specific act of a Melachah of Ochel Nefesh which can be done before Yom Tov is permitted on Yom Tov when the general category of Melachah in which it falls is one which cannot be done before Yom Tov.<<

I have put in bold the peice which does not seem to be what the Gemora is saying. As far as I understand it, R' Yehuda holds even Machshirei are allowed, but limited to items that could not have been done before Yom Tov. The Chachomim on the other hand do not allow Machshirei at all. Whereas you have written that the Chachomim allow Machshirei even if it was possible before Y'T.

I would be very grateful if you could check and confirm whether this is correct, or I have misunderstood.

Many thanks. Tizku L'Mitzvois