The 39 Melachot (Hebrew: ל״ט אבות מלאכה‎, lamed tet avot melakhah, "39 forms of work") are thirty-nine categories of activity which Jewish law identifies as being prohibited by biblical law on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. Many of these activities are also prohibited on the Jewish holidays listed in the Torah, although there are significant exceptions that permit carrying and preparing food under specific circumstances on holidays. In addition to the 39 melachot, certain other activities are forbidden on Shabbat due to rabbinic law.