Shabbat and Festivals
Shabbat
Master the 39 melachot (categories of work), their toladot (derivatives), and the distinction between d'oraita and d'rabbanan prohibitions. Know muktzah, hachanah, and the laws of hotza'ah (carrying) with reshut hayachid, reshut harabim, and karmelit. Understand eruvin and techumin.
Yom Tov and Mo'adim
Know the distinction between Shabbat and Yom Tov: ochel nefesh (food preparation) is permitted on Yom Tov but not on Shabbat. Study the laws of Pesach (chametz), Sukkot (sukkah, arba minim), Shavuot, and Rosh Hashanah (shofar).
Traps
- Treating Yom Tov as identical to Shabbat regarding food preparation.
- Confusing muktzah categories (e.g., kli she'melachto l'issur vs. l'heter).
- Misapplying techumin to a case of carrying within a reshut hayachid.
- Ignoring the difference between a d'oraita and d'rabbanan violation in a question about leniency.
Rule of thumb
For any Shabbat scenario, ask: (1) which melachah is involved? (2) is it d'oraita or d'rabbanan? (3) is there a permitted mechanism (e.g., grama, shinui)? (4) does muktzah apply?