[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman]

IMPORTANCE

Chol HaMoed is a period of time that lies between Yom Tov and Chol. It is a time that should not be taken lightly. The Rambam (Hilchos Yom Tov 6:17) tells us that the Mitzvah of “V’samachta b’chagecha” applies on Chol HaMoed as well as on Yom Tov.

Both Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l as well as Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky zt”l (Emes L’yaakov Siman 530:483) have ruled that on account of this, the obligation of drinking wine on Chol haMoed is similar to the obligation of drinking wine on Yom Tov. Rav Feinstein ruled that one should have wine at least once per day, while Rav Kamenetzky ruled that one should have it at every sit-down meal.

One should also have meat each day of Chol HaMoed (Igros Moshe OC III #68). The Mishna Brurah rules that ideally one should wash for bread on Chol HaMoed once at night and once in the day.

It is also the custom to wear Shabbos clothing. One should certainly avoid wearing weekday clothing, but wear clothing that are more choshuv than weekday clothing (MB 530:1).
It is important to recall that many people do not wear Tefillin on Chol HaMoed because of its elevated stature – that it is Yom Tov.

GARDENING AND LAUNDERING

Gardening is forbidden during this time as well.

Generally speaking all laundering is forbidden. However, one is permitted to spot-clean clothing that got soiled on Yom Tov or on Chol HaMoed (Emes L’Yaakov 534:498 Shulchan Shlomo 534:1).

If necessary, one may launder a child’s clothing, because children almost always soil their clothing. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zatzal ruled that the maximum age is seven years old. One may not add an adult’s clothing to the washing machine when doing the child’s clothes. As far ironing goes look in the next section.

One may also polish shoes on Chol HaMoed.

MALACHA ON CHOL HAMOED

Malacha work on Chol HaMoed is forbidden unless it fits into certain parameters. Unfortunately, the laws of Chol HaMoed are not well known. If any question comes up, a Rav should be consulted. There are essentially only five heterim for work to be done on Chol HaMoed. They are:

1] Tzorchei HaMoed – for the needs of Yom Tov
2] Davar Ha’Aved – If something will be ruined or destroyed if the work is not done. Permanent damage to a business is included under this heter.
3] Tzorchei Rabim – A great communal need, such as a broken Mikvah, Eruv, street, sewage pipe.
4] Poel V’ain Lo Mah L’echol – If someone has no food to eat and requires to make money in order to buy food.
5] Maaseh Hedyot – If it is an amateur action as opposed to a Maaseh Uman – a professional action. Repairing a car, for example, is generally a Maaseh Uman and is forbidden. Changing a tire is a Maaseh hedyot. Ironing pleats on a skirt is a Maaseh Uman. Ironing clothing to remove wrinkles is considered a Maaseh hedyot. Tailoring and dressmaking is a Maaseh uman and forbidden. Sometimes a temporary hem can be sewn very unprofessionally and that is a Maaseh hedyot. Driving a car would be a Maaseh uman but since everyone does it, the Poskim have explained that it is now considered a Maaseh hedyot.

PURCHASING ON CHOL HAMOED

One may purchase items that are necessary for the Moed. At times purchasing would be permitted under the heter of Davar HaAvaid. Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky ruled that a sale that happens rarely that will finish before Isru Chag is considered a davar HaAvaid and it would be permitted to make a purchase at this sale (Emes L’Yaakov 539:434). By the same token if one is not generally in that locale and one will not have an oppportunity to make that purchase after Yom Tov, it is also considered a davar haAvaid (ibid).

A Rav should always be consulted whenever any question arises regarding Chol HaMoed.

The author can be reached at [email protected]

ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON 5TJT