Talk:General Yom Tov Halachot

Smoking on Yom Tov

Is it permitted to smoke on Yom Tov?

All Melachah that is forbidden on Shabbat is forbidden on Yom Tov. Except that the Torah permits Melachah that is Ochel Nefesh. The Poskim say that it must be Shaveh Lechol Nefesh.

It's a machloket haposkim whether smoking is considered Shaveh Lechol Nefesh (See Magen Avraham, Kaf Hachaim 511:35 Yabia Omer 5:39). Magen Avraham, Eliyah Rabbah, Korban Netanel, Chayei Adam and others held its Asur because its not Shaveh Lechol Nefesh. Pri Megadim, Pnei Yehoshua, Yaabetz, Chida, Ben Ish Chai, Rav Ovadia hold that its Mutar. Rav Asher Weiss holds that it is clearly an Issur DeOraita nowadays to smoke on Yom Tov since most people don't smoke, it is definitely not Shaveh Lechol Nefesh.