why do we permit carrying on yomtov? how does carrying in any way fall into the category of "mitoch" if one never needs to carry in order to eat (he can always walk to the reshus that the food is in)? it certainly should be "efshar laasos mibiod yom"?
YSCHULMAN, far rockaway, ny, usa
Dear YSCHULMAN,
Hello there and thanks for your excellent question.
The answer is that there are different categories. The Shulchan Aruch OC 495:1 separates the Melachos of Hotza'ah and Hav'arah from all other Melachos. The issue you raise is addressed directly by the Rambam (Hilchos Yom Tov 1:4-6). He asks why is it not forbidden to do Hotza'ah, as it is surely something that could have been done the day before. He explains that this is to enable a person to enhance Simchas Yom Tov by being able to transfer all necessary items and not feel that his hands are tied. The Rambam concludes that with regard to other Melachos, since they require an effort, they are forbidden if it was possible to do them before Yom Tov. The Ra'avad's (ibid.) explanation is that by delivering the items on Yom Tov, one is actually showing respect for the day, something which does not happen if it is being done before Yom Tov.
Kol Tuv,
Y. Landy