May one squeeze orange juice on Yom Tov?

One might think that squeezing grapes and oranges is purely ochel nefesh and permitted on Yom Tov, yet Chazal tell us it is ossur. [1]

But why is it not ochel nefesh?

Indeed it is for eating purposes but a melacha performed prior to kneading is forbidden. Ochel nefesh is permitted for melachos performed after kneading, such as baking and cooking, not squeezing, reaping etc.

Even if orange juice would spoil if squeezed before Yom Tov it is ossur to squeeze on Yom Tov, [2] unlike grinding, which may be carried out on foods that would spoil if ground before Yom Tov.

What about squeezing lemons into tea?

The Chayei Adam [3] prohibits squeezing lemons on Yom Tov, but Rav Yakov Emdin [4] permits it. It seems that custom is to prohibit it.

On Yom Tov many permit squeezing lemon into sugar.

May I carry a bunch of keys in a reshus harabim when I only need one key?

First we must realize that carrying on Yom Tov is a melacha permitted for ochel nefesh, similar to shechita, baking and cooking. [5] As such, the rule would appear to be that carrying for ochel nefesh, such as carrying food from a reshus hayachid to a reshus harabim or vice versa is permitted, but carrying a child is prohibited. However, a famous halacha states that just as it is permitted to carry for ochel nefesh, it is permitted to carry for other purposes. [6]

So to carry a child in a reshus harabim?

The Rama writes [7] that although one may carry not only for ochel nefesh, nevertheless it must serve some purpose for Yom Tov such as enjoyment or a mitzvah.

• Consequently, one who wishes to carry one’s child in a reshus harabim may do so, simply because one enjoys the child’s company. [8]
• One may carry a lulav on first day Yom Tov through a reshus harabim or a sefer torah, because it is for a mitzvah.

What issur is involved when carrying for no purpose?

The Bi’ur Halacha cites opinions who hold it is ossur mid’oraisso and others who hold it is only ossur mid’rabanan. Almost all agree that it is ossur. It follows, that l’chatchila one should inspect one’s pockets for soiled tissues (that do not serve any purpose) before going from a reshus hayachid to a reshus harabim, because one might be carrying for no purpose.

So back to the bunch of keys where only one key is needed?

Rav Moshe Feinstein says that one may carry a box of matches [9] even though one does not need all of them. Likewise one may carry a full bottle of wine through a reshus harabim even though one only needs half. [10] He learns this from the halacha [11] that one may place a container full of water on the fire even though one only needs half the amount (provided that one fills the container before placing it on the fire). [12]

Are keys the same as matches and wine?

Yes and no.

Yes in the sense that one is carrying them in a reshus harabim with the same single action and no, because matches, tissues and wine are all more of the same item and each one can be used, whereas the other keys on the bunch are not the same as the key one needs.

Some say it is ossur because it is not needed and cannot be used on Shabbos. [13]

Others say it is permitted because one does not perpetrate extra effort and keys are considered the same even though they fit different locks. [14]

Custom is to carry the bunch but advisable to ask one’s rav.

May I return the machzor home after shul?

When there is an eiruv it is permitted. If there is no eiruv and one needs the machzor at home for Yom Tov, it is also permitted.

If one does not need it at home and it is safe to leave it in shul, one may not carry it home.

If it is not safe to leave it in shul one may carry it home. One can always ‘learn’ from it on the way home, such as read mishnayos of that Yom Tov printed in he machzor or learn any other material written, thus making use of the machzor on the way or at home.