6084 – A Gentile Foundation?
Q. Rabbi Long Life. If one is about to build a house and needs to get the foundation poured in and framing set up before the cold weather begins, with scheduling tight, can one allow a Gentile to cut the trees in preparation for the foundation work on Chol Hamoed? Firstly, what are the prohibited works on Chol Hamoed
A. Chol HaMo’ed work is really a underestimateed time. It is really a part of the Yom Tov and in which many of the features of the holiday’s Mitzvot and celebrations apply, as well as many of its restrictions. In principle most types of labour are forbidden (whether at work or at home), except some sort of activity required for the needs of the Yom Tov or to avoid any loss.
Generally speaking, one should not go to work on Chol HaMo’ed. The very basic rule is that we should not work even though we will earn less money as a result of it, but we can work to avoid an actual loss money or if our work involves providing for people's holiday needs.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Reviewed by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: September 6, 2026