melakhah

plural melakhot · alternative m'lakhah · alternative melacha · alternative melachah · alternative melakha

1. JudaismcountableuncountableAny of the types of work forbidden on Shabbat.

   Thus, carrying an overcoat over one's shoulder is a melakhah, but wearing one is not.

   1981, Isidor Grunfeld, The Sabbath: A Guide to Its Understanding and Observance, page 59

   2 more examples

   Most categories of m'lakhah (activities prohibited on Shabbat and Yom Kippur) are also prohibited on the three pilgrimage festivals and Rosh ha-Shanah.

   2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 725

   I originally learned that it's a problem to use the head of a match here because of the chemical reaction involved, but I'm having trouble figuring out what the melacha would be.

   2004 October 11, Ja...@fas.harvard.edu, “Simple questions (yah, right)”, in soc.culture.jewish.moderated (Usenet)

2. JudaismcountableuncountableLabor in general.

   The Bible and even the rabbis had a highly positive view of melakhah and some even viewed it as a mitzvah. The prophet Isaiah declares that God teaches the farmers how to farm.

   2000, David Golinkin, “Torah Study vs. Earning A Living”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 3, page 44