After extensive research, including both written and verbal
discussions with many worldwide renowned gedolei
horo'oh, it is clear that one should refrain from doing
any melochos deOraisa during bein hashemoshos
(from sunset until nightfall) on every motzei Yom Tov.
In chutz la'Aretz this applies to bein
hashemoshos from both Yom Tov Rishon leSheini and
motzei Yom Tov Sheini.
Included in this prohibition is e.g. cooking, boiling
water for hot drinks, heating up baby food or mashing bananas
and avocado etc. in a way involving issur techinoh
mideOraysa on Shabbos. Also using of water from hot water
tanks, carrying keys, hankies, books or machzorim etc.
in a reshus horabbim during this period is forbidden.
One should also refrain from kindling candles during bein
hashemoshos.
Many people are unaware of this prohibition, assuming that
any melochoh letzorech ochel nefesh is muttar
on Yom Tov even during bein hashemoshos. This
assumption is false.
The reason for this prohibition is that melochos ochel
nefesh on Yom Tov are permitted only if the
benefit is obtained on Yom Tov itself. During the
entire period of bein hashemoshos there is a doubt
whether it is still day or whether the night that belongs to
the next day has already begun, since at any given moment
(unknown to us) during bein hashemoshos the switch
from day to night may have happened.
It is, therefore, possible that the melochoh done
bein hashemoshos was done on Yom Tov and then
it became motzei Yom Tov (or the second night Yom
Tov) before hano'oh was realized from the
melochoh. This is, therefore, a sofek issur
deOraisa.
This psak halocho was written on the suggestion of
HaRabbonim HaGe'onim HaRav Yosef Eliashiv
shlita, HaRav Shmuel Wosner shlita, HaRav Chaim
Pinchos Scheinberg shlita, vlhbch"l HaRav Shlomo
Zalman Auerbach zt"l, HaRav Chanoch Padwa zt"l,
HaRav Betzalel Rakow zt"l and HaRav Yisroel Zeev
Gustman zt"l.
This will be applicable this year on Rosh Hashonoh during
bein hashemoshos between the first and second day. On
Succos and on Shemini Atzeres it will be applicable on
motzei Yom Tov in Eretz Yisroel for bnei chutz
la'Aretz between the first and second days (that is, on
Thursday night).
For more information: Rabbi Yaakov Weingold; Rechov Elisha
35; Bnei Brak 51541; Tel: 972-3-570 2792
Sources: Rabbi Akiva Eiger Orach Chaim 495, Sefer
Ginzei Rabbi Akiva Eiger 21, Sefer Yehoshua, Pesokim
Ukesovim 369, HaRav Chaim Soloveitchik and HaRav Y.Y.
Kanievsky.)
