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First, it is important to note that Shabbat and Yom Tov have most of their laws in common. In general, whatever we can do on Shabbat, we can do on Yom Tov, and whatever we are not allowed to do on Shabbat, we are likewise forbidden to do on Yom Tov. But there are some notable exceptions.1 One of them is that on Yom Tov we are allowed to cook food and do certain other food-preparation activities which are forbidden on Shabbat.2
Even though we are allowed to cook on Yom Tov, according to rabbinical law we are not permitted to make any kind of preparations on Yom Tov for the next day. But... the exception to that exception is that, in theory, we can prepare food on Yom Tov for the next day if the next day is Shabbat!
Why is that? Because one cannot cook food on Shabbat itself, so preparing on Yom Tov is considered a “pressing need.” There is no other way to be able to get food ready for a Shabbat that immediately follows Yom Tov.3
The eruv tavshilin may not be eaten on Yom Tov until all Shabbat preparations have been completed
The eruv tavshilin may not be eaten on Yom Tov until all Shabbat preparations have been completed.4 Once the eruv tavshilin is set aside before Yom Tov, we are then allowed to cook whatever we wish during Yom Tov in preparation for Shabbat.5
There are two reasons given why the sages instituted the eruv tavshilin. They have to do with our approach to both Yom Tov and Shabbat.
1) In order to increase one's honor and respect for Yom Tov. People will say, “If we not allowed to prepare on Yom Tov even for the honor of Shabbat unless we cook a specially designated food before Yom Tov, how much more so are we not allowed to prepare on Yom Tov for a simple weekday!”
2) In order to increase one's honor and respect for Shabbat. When we consciously prepare a cooked dish before Yom Tov so that we will be able to prepare our Shabbat foods on Yom Tov itself, we are reminded of Shabbat even before Yom Tov. We then set aside one nice dish for Shabbat, separate from our Yom Tov food (and then we won't eat up all of our food on Yom Tov!).
The eruv tavshilin reminds us of something else: that all of the things our Sages instituted – whether positive acts, such as making a blessing before we eat, or negative, such as not preparing on Yom Tov for a weekday – were instituted only in order to increase our consciousness and respect for G-d’s Torah. With this in mind, we will make our eruv tavshilin in a spirit of joyfulness!6
See also Can you guide me through the Eruv Tavshilin procedure?
Footnotes
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