An Overview Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky of Chol Hamoed Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS Rabbi, Congregation Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield , NJ

AN OVERVIEW OF THE LAWS OF CHOL HAMOED he days of Chol Hamoed Chol Hamoed is a time of rejoicing, are intricate. We will attempt to give are unique in their halachic when special korbanos are offered. To an overview of the basic categories of status. Although the mitzvos maintain the sanctity of this unique halacha that govern melacha on Chol Tspecific to each Yom Tov such as time, Chazal instituted limitations on Hamoed. on Sukkos and on certain kinds of melacha so we can Pesach apply equally to Chol HaMoed celebrate Chol Hamoed properly. Food Preparation and Yom Tov, when it comes to Rashbam ( 118a, s.v. Kol melacha (prohibited labor), Chol Hamevazeh) disagrees and holds All food preparation is permissible on Hamoed differs significantly from that on a level, certain types Chol Hamoed. Even certain activities Yom Tov proper. Certain melachos of melacha may not be performed on that are not permissible on Yom Tov are prohibited on Chol Hamoed, yet Chol Hamoed. such as detaching a fruit from a tree or under various circumstances these In a responsa, the Mishkenos Yakov squeezing fruit are permissible on Chol prohibitions are lifted. It is precisely (OC no. 38) suggests a compromise. Hamoed (, OC 533:1). because of this ambiguous prohibition In the days of the Beis Hamikdash, There is no need to prepare food before that there emerged a fundamental if one actually visited the Beis Yom Tov to avoid doing so on Chol dispute whether the laws that govern Hamikdash and offered korbanos, Hamoed (ibid). However, we may not work on Chol Hamoed are from the then melacha on Chol Hamoed would prepare food on Chol Hamoed to be Torah or are rabbinic in origin. be prohibited on a Torah level. Today, eaten after Yom Tov (ibid). Rabbeinu Tam (cited in Tosafos, in the absence of a Beis Hamikdash, Not only is it permissible to prepare Chagigah 18a, s.v. Cholo) is of the the prohibition against performing food on Chol Hamoed in a manner opinion that according to the Torah, melacha is rabbinic in nature. that would otherwise be prohibited, all is permissible on Chol melacha Regardless of the nature of this we may also perform melacha that is Hamoed. The Torah mandates that prohibition, the laws of Chol Hamoed necessary to enable food preparation

Chazal teach us that when we bid farewell to a friend, we should do so by discussing words of Torah. By doing so, the memory of our friend is forever joined to the eternal words of Torah that were shared. David Rottenstreich z”l was a beloved student who left us as he was immersed in the world of Torah. In the beis medrash and during shiur, his face radiated with “the words of Hashem that gladded the heart.” One of David’s greatest joys was sharing Torah and spreading Torah. As we dedicate these divrei Torah in his memory, David continues to be forever connected to Torah as he was during his lifetime.

13 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Pesach 5779 (MB 537:15). As such, we may writing for a Chol Hamoed or Yom on Chol Hamoed (Shulchan Aruch, repair a refrigerator or oven on Chol Tov need is permissible (Rama, OC OC 539:4). There is an important Hamoed. This leniency is limited 545:1). However, calligraphy or other distinction between actual loss and to items that directly contribute to professional-style writing is prohibited, loss of ability to profit (ibid). As an the enhancement of food. Fixing a even to enhance Chol Hamoed or example, if we are concerned that by car on Chol Hamoed to enable us to Yom Tov. Nevertheless, many have not going to work on Chol Hamoed purchase food would not be included the practice of writing in an abnormal we may lose our job, this is considered in this leniency. fashion, even when it serves a purpose a davar ha’aved and we may work for Chol Hamoed or Yom Tov (Rama, on Chol Hamoed. However, if we Bodily Needs OC 545:5 and MB 34). will not lose our job, but won’t get paid for taking off, that would not be Laundry for Chol Hamoed or Yom considered a to justify Anything necessary to enhance bodily Tov should have been included in davar ha’aved working on Chol Hamoed. needs is permissible, similar to food this leniency. However, Chazal were preparation (Beiur Halacha 546:5, s.v. concerned that people would wait until When we assess that there is potential Kol). Medical care is permissible, even Chol Hamoed to launder their clothing loss, it is not necessary to know with if it is not life-threatening (Shulchan rather than doing so before Yom Tov, certainty that there will be a loss. Aruch, OC 532:2). Annual checkups and therefore they prohibited it on Even if there is a realistic possibility should be avoided since they can be Chol Hamoed ( Katan 14a). that there will be a financial loss, we scheduled for another time. may perform to prevent the There are further grounds for leniency melacha potential loss ( 537:1). Haircuts and shaving should have been when it comes to communal needs. Beiur Halacha included in this category of bodily If something is necessary for the needs. Nevertheless, Chazal instituted community on Chol Hamoed or Yom Non-Melacha Activities a specific prohibition against cutting Tov, we may even perform melacha hair or shaving on Chol Hamoed. This that requires a professional (Shulchan Certain activities that don’t involve was done to encourage everyone to Aruch, OC 544:1). There is a dispute actual melacha are also prohibited be properly groomed before Yom Tov whether this leniency is limited to on Chol Hamoed. In situations rather than relying on doing so on Chol the physical needs of the community where melacha is prohibited on Hamoed (Moed Katan 14a). There are such as fixing the road or whether it Chol Hamoed, we may not instruct differing opinions regarding one who applies to the community’s spiritual a non-Jew to perform the melacha shaves daily and shaved before Yom needs as well. As such, we find that on our behalf (Shulchan Aruch, OC Tov, if he may shave on Chol Hamoed the Rama prohibits building (or 543:1). Additionally, certain business (see Igros Moshe, OC 1:163 and Nefesh repairing) a shul on Chol Hamoed activities are prohibited even if no Harav pg. 189). There are also differing (OC 544:2). A similar question arises melacha is performed (Shulchan Aruch, opinions concerning cutting nails on regarding the fixing of a sefer Torah on OC 539:1). Therefore, buying and Chol Hamoed (see Shulchan Aruch and Chol Hamoed. Having a sefer Torah selling should be limited to items that Rama, OC 532:1). clearly constitutes a communal need. enhance Chol Hamoed or Yom Tov. However, the need is only spiritual in Chazal (Yerushalmi, Moed Katan Needs of the Day nature in order to fulfill the mitzvah of 2:3) observe that the limitations that kerias Hatorah and the only way to fix are placed on Chol Hamoed help us If there are other needs that are not a sefer Torah is by using a professional. focus on the significance of these days. food related or bodily needs, we The accepted opinion is that we may fix May our proper observance of these may perform melacha provided that a sefer Torah if there is no other Torah halachos enable us to experience the certain criteria are fulfilled. First, the available (Shulchan Aruch, OC 545:2). beauty and sanctity of Chol Hamoed action must be something that will and appreciate this wonderful gift that enhance either Chol Hamoed or Preventing a Loss Hashem bestowed upon us. Yom Tov. Second, it must be done in a non-professional manner (ma’aseh If melacha is necessary to prevent a hedyot). It is for this reason that regular financial loss, then it is permissible

14 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Pesach 5779