The Torah permits lighting a fire (hav’ara) on Yom Tov for tzorekh okhel nefesh (3:2 above). However, the Sages prohibited doing so (m. Beitza 4:7 and Gemara 33a), since creating something new is similar to performing a melakha. It is true that in order to cook and bake for Yom Tov, a fire is necessary. Nevertheless, since it is possible to light a fire before Yom Tov for use on Yom Tov, the Sages forbade lighting a new fire on Yom Tov (Beitza 33a-b; MT, Laws of Yom Tov 4:1; Rashba; SAH 502:1; MB ad loc. 1). Striking a match and turning on an electric light bulb are included in this prohibition (section 4 below).
Though lighting a new fire on Yom Tov is prohibited, adding fuel to an existing fire – whether wood, gas, or kerosene – is permitted. If an additional flame is needed to cook, a match or wood chip may be lit from an existing fire and then used to kindle a new flame. For these purposes, red-hot iron or red-hot coils are considered fire, as are smoldering coals. Therefore, one may light a match from them, as doing so is not considered creating a new fire.
Since lighting a new fire on Yom Tov is prohibited by rabbinic law and not Torah law, a non-Jew may be asked to light one for the sake of a mitzva or in a case of great need. For example, a non-Jew may be asked to turn on the lights or light a candle if the Yom Tov candles have gone out, the dining room is dark, and no pre-existing flame is available. Similarly, a non-Jew may be asked to turn on an electric heater if it is very cold.[1]