Chol HaMoed are days designated--set aside--for holiness. We can therefore understand why someone who disgraces these days “has no share” in the World to Come (Avos 3:15). According to the Bartenura (ibid.), disgracing the Moados means doing unnecessary work on them, and eating and drinking in the same manner as one would on a regular weekday. The following highlights are from a Hakhel Shiur, given by HaRav Dovid Zucker, Shlita, author of the Sefer Chol HaMoed (Artscroll 2005), and Rosh Kollel of the Chicago Community Kollel. This Shiur was broadcast via satellite to 13 locations in the United States and Canada by the Torah Conferencing Network. We try to publish these notes prior to every Chol Hamoed, in order to remind everyone of its remarkable Kedusha.
1. The Avnei Nezer teaches (based upon the Zohar) that the Kedusha of Chol HaMoed may be likened to the light of the Moon--reflecting the Kedusha of Yom Tov itself. Chol HaMoed is indeed enveloped by the Kedusha of the First Days and the Last Days of Yom Tov.
2. One should wear nicer clothes on Chol HaMoed than on a regular weekday. The mitzvah of Simchas Yom Tov applies to Chol HaMoed as well.
3. Rabbi Zucker stated that he felt that just as Kedushas Shabbos was the nisayon (the test) of 75 to 100 years ago, Kedushas Chol HaMoed is the nisayon of Galus Jewry today.
4. The laws of working on Chol HaMoed for a salaried employee depend upon whether the employee: (a) has vacation coming to him; (b) has no vacation coming to him, but can take time off without pay; (c) asking for time off will cause him to lose his job; or (d) asking for time off will not cause him to lose his job, but will have undesired effects. Our notes here are intended to highlight these distinctions, but not provide the halachic parameters, which are detailed and often require consultation with a Rav. For further information, you may study the Sefer itself, or obtain a copy of the Shiur on cassette tape or CD by calling (718) 252-5274.
5. Self-employed individuals and employers must consult with their Rav as to how/when to remain open on Chol HaMoed. One should not rely on “everybody does it” or “ignorance is bliss”--remember, we are talking about the World to Come, and that is true bliss--and infinity. The story is told of a factory owner who refused, despite the Chofetz Chaim’s pleadings, to close his factory on Shabbos--he told the Chofetz Chaim, “Rebbe, you don’t make money from a posuk in the Torah.” When the Bolsheviks confiscated all of his property a few years later, he wrote a letter of contrition and apology to the Chofetz Chaim.
6. Unskilled work is permitted for the sake of the Moed or the Last Days of Yom Tov. Therefore, if necessary, one may sew a button on in an unskilled manner.
7. A non-Jew cannot do work for you that you yourself cannot perform. For example, your lawn cannot be mowed or landscaped--and your gardener must be sent away if he comes to perform work for you.
8. Skilled work is generally prohibited--even for the sake of the Moed or the Last Days of Yom Tov. Once again, anything prohibited for a Jew to do is prohibited for a non-Jew to do for you. There are certain exceptions in which skilled labor is permitted, which relate to “Tzorchei HaGuf,” such as a serious roof leak or a necessary oven or air conditioner repair. With respect to car repairs, it would depend on the type of repair necessary, the need for the repair, and other factors, and a Rav must be consulted.
9. Laundering clothing can only be done for young children who have soiled their clothing and have nothing else to wear. You cannot add other clothing into the washing machine once their clothes are being washed. Once again, a non-Jewish housekeeper cannot do for you what you yourself cannot do. Spot cleaning, if necessary, is permitted. Drying clothing is permitted.
10. Going shopping is only permissible (even if you otherwise enjoy shopping) if needed for Chol HaMoed or the Last Days of Yom Tov, or if it would constitute a “davar ha’avad” (See paragraph 13 below). One cannot “trick” the Halacha (and yourself) by “wearing it on Chol HaMoed too. Similarly, one should not push off buying a pair of shoes to Chol HaMoed if he can do so before Yom Tov (unless he simply ran out of time). Rav Moshe Feinstein, Z’tl, once told a Yeshiva bochur to come back to Yeshiva a day later in order to go shopping for clothing after Yom Tov, rather than shop on Chol HaMoed.
11. One cannot schedule a “routine” medical or dental checkup or exam for Chol HaMoed.
12. One cannot put off to Chol HaMoed filling up the car with gas, going to the bank, etc., when he has time or an opportunity to do so before Chol HaMoed.
13. In specific “davar ha’avad” situations where an actual loss will occur, if work (even if skilled) is not performed on Chol HaMoed, it may very well be permissible, and your Rav should be consulted.
14. Cutting nails/manicure is permitted for Sefardim (if needed), and prohibited to Ashkenazim (unless needed, and one had previously cut nails on Erev Yom Tov as well).
15. Rav Moshe Feinstein, Z’tl, ruled that setting/cutting a sheitel is considered skilled work and therefore is prohibited even for the sake of the Moed or the Last Days of Yom Tov.
16. Standard writing (not calligraphy) is considered unskilled work and is permitted for the sake of the Moed. One can type, send e-mails, e-faxes and text messages, but not print them out (unless permitted as a “davar ha’avad”). Similarly, one can utilize a digital camera as long as the pictures are not printed out, and a standard camera, as long as the pictures are not developed.
The above, obviously, only briefly highlights some common Halachos. In fact, Hilchos Chol HaMoed encompasses 20 chapters in Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 530-549). We additionally refer you to Rabbi Zucker’s wonderful sefer. You may want to ask your Rav to give a Shiur this Yom Tov on the Halachos and Hashkafos of Chol HaMoed for everyone’s benefit. Remember, with any question, or difficult or special situation, please consult your Rav--and have Simchas HaMoed!
-------------------------- Reprinted with permission from Hakhel MIS --------------------------
Important Numbers
