Chol HaMoed

Calendar from Kaluach of the month of Nissan with the first day of Chol HaMoed Pesach highlighted

Chol HaMoed refers to the intermediate days of the holidays of Sukkot and Pesach. In the diaspora, on Pesach, Chol HaMoed spans from the third day of Pesach until and including the sixth day, and on Sukkot from the third day of Sukkot until Shemini Aseret. In Israel, on Pesach, Chol HaMoed starts on the second day of Pesach and lasts until and including the sixth day, and on Sukkot, from the second day of Sukkot until Shemini Aseret.

Kavod and Oneg

1. Since Chol Hamoed is called a mikarei kodesh, there’s an obligation to honor Chol Hamoed and treat it differently from how a person treats a weekday. This includes having special food, drinks, and clothing that are nicer than a person has during the week, but it is more lenient than Kavod of Yom Tov.
2. As part of Kavod, one should wear clothing on chol hamoed that are a little nicer than his weekday clothing. Some have the minhag to wear Shabbat clothing on Chol HaMoed.
3. As part of Kavod, some have the practice to leave the table cloth on the table all of Chol HaMoed.
4. As part of Kavod, one is not obligated to have a bread meal, however, it is preferable to do so.

Simcha

1. There’s a requirement of Simcha on Chol Hamoed just like there is on Yom Tov.
2. One should fulfill simcha of Chol HaMoed with what makes each person happy, men should drink wine, women should be given and wear new clothing, and children should get candies.
3. According to those who fulfill simcha on Chol HaMoed like simcha on Yom Tov, men should fulfill simcha with wine and not grape juice.
4. Initially one should have two bread meals on each day of Chol Hamoed, once at night and once during the day but it isn't an absolute obligation.
5. It is forbidden to get married on Chol HaMoed because such an occasion would infringe on the mitzvah of simcha of the holiday. However, it is permitted to get engaged, which isn't the same as halachic Kiddushin, on Chol HaMoed.

Special parts of Davening

Shemonah Esrei

1. On Chol HaMoed, one should insert Yaaleh VeYavo in Shmoneh Esrei during the Bracha of Avoda (Retzeh). If one forgot to say Yaaleh VeYavo and remembered before concluding Shmoneh Esrei (with Yeyihu LeRatzon), one should return to Retzeh and continue from there. However, if one only remembered after finishing Shmoneh Esrei, one must repeat Shmoneh Esrei.

Birkat HaMazon

1. On Chol HaMoed, one should insert Yaaleh VeYavo in the middle of the third Bracha of Birkat HaMazon.
2. If one forgot Yaaleh VeYavo and one realized:
   1. before saying Hashem’s name at the end of the third Bracha, one should return to Yaaleh VeYavo and then continue from there.
   2. after saying Hashem’s name, but before saying Boneh Yerushalayim, one should immediately say למדני חוקיך which is the conclusion of a פסוק in Tehillim, and then return to Yaaleh Veyavo and continue from there.
   3. after finishing the third Bracha before starting the fourth Bracha, one should insert a special Bracha ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם שנתן מועדים לעמו ישראל לששון ולשמחה את יום חג (פלוני) הזה
   4. within the first six words of the fourth Bracha (ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם), one should continue with the special Bracha (שנתן...) mentioned in the last option.
   5. after one said the seventh word in the fourth Bracha, one should continue and not repeat Birkat Hamazon.

Torah Reading

1. On Shabbat Chol HaMoed, both on Sukkot and Pesach, the Torah reading is from Reah Atta, which on a regular week is Shelishi of Ki Tisa, until the end of Parshat Ki Tisa.
2. The Haftorah for Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot is Bayom Bah Gog (beginning from Yechezkel 38:18) and the Haftorah for Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach is Atzamot Yeveshot (beginning from Yechezkel 37:4).

Forbidden work

1. There’s a dispute amongst the Rishonim as to whether the prohibition of work on Chol HaMoed is Biblical or Rabbinc. According to Sephardim, the halacha is that work on Chol HaMoed is a Rabbinic prohibition. Ashkenazic poskim are concerned for the opinion that work on Chol Hamoed is a Biblical prohibition.
2. According to those who hold that melacha on Chol Hamoed is only derabbanan, some poskim permit anything which is a psik reisha (action which will inevitably cause a melacha to occur). Others hold that a psik reisha is permitted on Chol Hamoed even according to the view that melacha is deoritta.

Melacha without Tircha

1. Some rishonim and a minority of poskim hold that melacha is forbidden on Chol Hamoed because it takes away from a person being able to enjoy the Moed. For that reason Chazal forbade melacha that involved tircha since that distracts a person from simcha on the Moed. However, if it is no tircha at all, the melacha is permitted. However, the view of other Rishonim, and the consensus of the poskim, is that all melacha is forbidden, even if it does not involve tircha. Melacha without tircha is only permitted if there's a need for the holiday or another reason that permits melacha on Chol Hamoed.
   1. Many poskim hold that it is permitted to carry on Chol Hamoed even if there's no need. However, some poskim are strict.
   2. Some poskim permitted ripping toilet paper off the lines on Chol Hamoed even if he has pre-ripped toilet paper or tissues available.
   3. Some poskim permit killing bugs on Chol Hamoed even if they're not bothering him.
   4. It is permitted to wash oneself with soap, even bar soap, on Chol Hamoed.

Tircha without Melacha

1. A strenuous activity (one that involves exertion) is forbidden even if it doesn’t involve any Melacha.
2. For example, it’s forbidden to move heavy furniture (unless there’s a need, see below).
3. It is permitted to wash dishes after eating, or dishes that he might use again on the moed.
4. It is permitted to take out the garbage, put the garbage bag in garbage cans, and move the can so that they can be picked up.

Degradation of the Holiday

1. Certain activities must be limited to avoid degradation of the holiday. For this reason, even when commercial activity is permitted, it should be done in private.
2. For example, it’s forbidden to paint one’s apartment on Chol HaMoed to improve its appearance.

Which Melachot are entirely permitted?

1. The forbidden melachot includes all 39 melachot and derabbanan’s of Shabbat and Yom Tov except for: carrying, going beyond techum (2000 amot), muktzah, VeDaber Dvar (preparing or talking about business issues), Havarah (lighting a fire), Tevilat Kelim, and removing Trumah.
2. Shevitat Behemto (having one’s animal work or renting it out), and Mechamer (leading one’s animal) according to some apply on Chol HaMoed and some say that it doesn’t apply and there’s what to rely on to be lenient.
3. It’s permitted to go biking since that’s not considered a melacha.

Is one forbidden to benefit from work that was illegally performed on Chol HaMoed?

1. If one did violate Chol HaMoed unintentionally, one may be lenient and benefit from the work that day. However, if one violated the Chol HaMoed intentionally, that individual shouldn’t benefit from it forever, and others may benefit from it after the holiday.

The Principle Reasons to Permit Melacha

1. Melacha on Chol HaMoed is forbidden just like Yom Tov, however, there are five major leniencies to permit Melacha on Chol HaMoed: 1) Tzorech HaMoed (work done for a holiday need), 2) Tzorech Ochel Nefesh (work to prepare food), 3) Tzarchi Rabim (work needed for communal purpose), 4) Dvar HaAved (work done to avoid a loss), 5) Poel Shein Lo Mah Yochal (work done by a laborer who doesn’t have food to eat).

Comparison of the Reasons for which Melacha is Permitted

	General Holiday Needs	Making Food	Communal Need	Financial Loss	A Very Poor Worker
Professional Labor	Forbidden	Permitted	Permitted (under certain conditions)	Permitted	Permitted
Excessive Exertion	Forbidden (see footnote for exceptions)	Permitted	Permitted	Forbidden	-
Work Delayed for the Holiday	Forbidden	Permitted	Permitted	Forbidden	-
Paying for the Work	Forbidden	Permitted but preferable to get a goy	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
Working in Public	Professional - forbidden; Non-professional - permitted	Forbidden for uman	Permitted	Forbidden	Forbidden
Preparing for after the Holiday	Forbidden	Forbidden	Permitted	-	-

Tzorech HaMoed

1. One may do unskilled work on Chol HaMoed for a holiday need. However, skilled work is forbidden even for a need of the holiday.
2. Tzorech HaMoed is only permitted if the work doesn't entail excessive tircha (exertion).
3. It’s permitted to do an action even if it will involve violating a melacha indirectly if there’s a holiday need. For example, it’s permitted to cut branches in order to make Sachach for the Sukkah as long as one makes sure to only cut from one side of the tree. Another example, it’s permitted to wash one’s hands over grass.

What’s called a “holiday need”?

1. Anything where there’s a likely possibility that the work is needed is considered Tzorech HaMoed.
2. One may not delay doing a certain work from before Chol HaMoed and do it on Chol HaMoed.
3. Fixing a broken object is called a holiday need if the object will be needed, however, if there’s a replacement that can be used instead or one could easily borrow a replacement, fixing the object isn’t a holiday need.
4. It’s permissible to vacuum or wash floors that are usually cleaned at least once a week. It is permitted to sweep on chol hamoed.
5. Some say it’s forbidden to nail a picture to a wall for decorative purposes, while others permit since it involves no skilled work or exertion.
6. It’s forbidden to garden, plant, dewed, or move grass on Chol HaMoed. Watering is only permitted if the plant is in danger of dying.
7. It’s permitted to pick flowers in order to decorate for the holiday.

Simchat Chag

1. An activity that brings one simcha is considered a holiday need as it’s a mitzvah to have simcha on the holiday. For example, going on a family trip is considered simchat hachag and so it’s permissible to wash one’s car windows or fill up the tank in order to drive to the park. When it is permitted to drive on chol hamoed, it is fine to drive oneself and it isn't necessary to get a taxi driven by a non-Jew.
2. For example, since playing music is considered a simchat hachag, it’s permitted to fix (in an unskilled fashion) an instrument in order to play music for the holiday.

Preparing from Chol HaMoed to Yom Tov

1. It’s permitted to do work for a Tzorech HaMoed from one day of Chol HaMoed in preparation for the other days of Chol HaMoed or for days of Yom Tov.

Melacha needed in preparation for a Tzorech HaMoed

1. Just as unskilled work is permitted for a Tzorech HaMoed, so too it is permitted to do necessary preparations for work that is done for a Tzorech HaMoed.
2. For example, one may sharpen a pencil in order to writes a social letter for the Moed.

Needs for others

1. Unskilled work is permitted even for the need of others as long as one isn’t being hired.
2. One is allowed to hire a non-Jew to do work that’s permitted for a Jew to perform and it’s permitted to pay the non-Jew for the work.

Examples

1. For example, if a chair broke, it may be fixed in an unskilled manner is the chair is needed for the holiday, however, if another chair could be used or a chair could be borrowed one shouldn’t fix the chair. Additionally, if it takes carpentry skills to fix the chair or it was broken before the holiday and could have been fixed then, one may not fix the chair.
2. For example, it’s permissible to change a tire, jumpstart a car, or change it’s battery if the car will be used for festival purposes. However, making other car repairs which require skilled work are forbidden to make (unless there’s a financial loss like having to leave your car on the road and having to return for it).
3. Purely preparatory actions are allowed, provided that they are necessary. Thus, washing a car’s windows or getting gas are permitted. However, preparatory actions that are purposely delayed until Chol HaMoed may not be done on Chol HaMoed.
4. Washing or vacuuming the floor which is usually cleaned once or more times a week is permitted during Chol HaMoed.
5. One may change the tire of a car if the car is needed for use during the holiday. One may also change the tire for a friend’s car if one isn’t being paid.
6. Many forbid fishing for pleasure on Chol HaMoed, while some are lenient. If the fish will be eaten one may be lenient.
   1. Some hold that any activity that is done for pleasure on Chol Hamoed even if it involves melacha is permitted since that is simchat hachag. However, many authorities argue that it isn't considered simchat hachag. Some have a compromise view and permit activities that involve melacha with minimal exertion, but not something that involves exertion like fishing.

Driving

1. It is permitted to drive for any need of the moed. However, it is forbidden to drive if there's no tzorech hamoed.
2. For example, it is forbidden to take driving lessons on chol hamoed.
3. Some poskim permit washing a car on chol hamoed if it doesn't involve a lot of tircha.

Maaseh Uman

1. For a person who isn't a tailor and isn't adept at sewing, sewing is considered not a Maaseh Uman. However, the average women is proficient at sewing and so is considered an Uman.
2. A skilled worker may sew with a Shinui, meaning, making long stitches and alternating between high and low stitches (forming a zig-zag).
3. When sewing on a button, many hold that it is a sufficient Shinui to sew it loosely and only use 2 out of 4 holes (such as two diagonal ones). However, some say that it is an insufficient Shinui unless one has no other clothes to wear.
4. According to some authorities, it’s never considered a Shinui if a skilled person sews with a sewing machine while others are lenient if one makes a Shinui.

Preparation of Food

1. It’s permissible to do melachot in order to prepare food for the holiday (from one day of Chol HaMoed to another day of Chol HaMoed or from Chol HaMoed to Yom Tov) even if it involves a lot of effort.
2. It’s permissible even if the melacha was deliberately pushed off to doing it on Chol HaMoed.
3. If one has adequate supply of the specific food one shouldn’t cook that food on Chol HaMoed unless the fresher food will be tastier.
4. It’s permissible to take wages for cooking on Chol HaMoed food that’s needed for the holiday, however, it’s preferable to have a non-Jewish cook do it.
5. It’s permissible to fish on Chol HaMoed or to pick fruit on Chol Hamoed with intent to eat the fish or fruit. It’s permissible to fish or pick fruit abundantly so that one will be able to choose the choicest among them to eat.

Cooking Extra

1. One may not cook on Chol HaMoed in order to have food after the holiday, however it’s permissible to cook generously without calculating precisely and if there’s leftovers, it’s permissible to have them after the holiday.
2. If one transgressed and did cook for after the holiday it’s still permissible to eat it.

For whom?

1. It’s permissible to cook for fellow Jews, but one may not do extra work in cooking for a non-Jew. If one is just adding more ingredients to the pot (not considered extra work for the non-Jew) it’s permissible.
2. It’s permissible to prepare food for guests even though it’s uncertain that they will come (as long as there’s a reasonable possibility).

Preliminary Preparations for Food

1. Preliminary preparations such as sharpening a knife or repairing a stove in order to make food for Yom Tov is permissible if one wasn’t able to fix in before Yom Tov.
2. It’s permissible to do preparations even in a skilled fashion and even if it involves excessive effort.
3. However it’s forbidden to intentionally postpone preliminary preparations from before the holiday until Chol HaMoed and if one did so, one may not work on it on Chol HaMoed.
4. One may only do work that would cause an improvement to the food itself which is true of a knife or stove, however, one may not fix a can-opener or a table as these do not enhance the food but rather these can only be fixed with unskilled work.

Physical Needs

1. It’s permissible to do work for the physical needs of a person (Tzarchei HaGuf) on Chol HaMoed even if it involves skilled work or excessive effort.
2. Therefore, one may shower with hot water and soap, brush one’s teeth on Chol HaMoed. Similarly, a woman may apply cosmetics or tweeze eyebrow or body hair.
3. If one’s only pair of glasses break one may fix it or have a professional optician fix it.
4. It’s permissible to have a heater fixed if it’s very cold and an air conditioner fixed if it’s very hot on Chol HaMoed.
5. A person who is already sick can go to the doctor for treatment because a treating the sickness is a physical need.
6. It’s permissible to treat a person’s health from illness or preventing a decline in health. However, many forbid doing work for a small ache or pain.
7. It’s permissible to take medications on Chol haMoed.
8. Some permit a regular medical checkup, whereas others advise avoiding it on Chol HaMoed.

See Healthcare on Chol Hamoed.

Communal Needs

1. It is permitted to do communal needs on Chol Hamoed even if there were planned for Chol Hamoed and even if they involve are professional labor or excessive effort. The work is permitted even in public.
2. Professional labor is only permitted for communal needs under two conditions: 1) the community will benefit from it on Chol Hamoed itself, and 2) the community will benefit directly from the labor in a physical way, such as fixing the roads or water sources and not building a shul.
3. Non-professional labor for communal needs is permitted even if the community will only benefit after the holiday and even if the benefit isn't a physical benefit, such as construction for a shul.
4. Examples of communal needs include: fixing the streets, water aqueducts, marking graves, and fixing a mikveh.

Avoiding a Loss

See Dvar Ha'aved on Chol Hamoed for details on this topic.

1. Saving time isn’t considered dvar haaved.
2. Doing a melacha on chol hamoed to save time for after the moed that he can use for learning and not doing the melacha will cause him bitul torah is not dvar haaved.

Hiring Workers

1. It is prohibited to hire workers to do melacha on Chol HaMoed. This prohibition applies even if the action one is hiring another to do would be permitted if one was doing this activity for oneself or for another free of charge. However, if one does not give the worker a set salary and pays him with food that he eats with the owner, then paying a worker on Chol HaMoed would be allowed.
2. If the work is a pressing need to the point that it would cause a substantial loss if not performed (davar ha’aveid), then it would be permitted to hire a worker to perform the work, even if the work is not necessary for the holiday (litzorech hamoed) and involves skilled labor (maaseh uman). In such a case one may even pay the worker.
3. One may hire a worker who has nothing to eat in order that he will be able to sustain himself.
4. Someone who has no food at all, or one who has food but does not have his needs for the holiday (tzorchei hamoed), is considered someone who has no food and is allowed to work on Chol HaMoed.
5. If one stipulates with a non-Jew that the non-Jew should do work for him after Chol HaMoed, but the non-Jew starts the work immediately during Chol HaMoed, one need not stop the non-Jew because he instructed the non-Jew that he should perform the work after the moed.

Taking a Haircut

1. It’s a mitzvah to take a haircut on Erev Yom Tov. Some say that it is acceptable to take a haircut within 30 days of the holiday and that's considered sufficiently close to the holiday to indicate that he cut his hair in honor of the holiday.
2. It’s forbidden to take a haircut on Chol HaMoed. The rabbis prohibited this so that people would prepare properly before the holiday. It’s forbidden to take a haircut even if one took one before the holiday.
3. Chazal did not make an exception for someone who was sick and was unable to cut one’s hair before the holiday and forbid him as well.
4. Chazal made a few exceptions and permitted certain people to cut hair on Chol HaMoed including: a person who was released from prison on the holiday or late on Erev Yom Tov, one who arrives from over seas on Chol Hamoed or late on Erev Yom Tov and was unable to cut one’s hair of Erev Yom Tov, and one who was a mourner for a relative other than a parent, whose seventh day of mourning occurred on Erev Yom Tov which was Shabbat (and so he was unable to shave before the holiday). Those who Chazal permitted to permitted to cut one’s hair should do so in private.
   1. Nowadays there is no leniency to permit haircutting for someone who came back from a trip overseas before Yom Tov or on Chol Hamoed.
5. Cutting one’s hair for medical reason is permissible.
6. It is permissible to comb or wash one’s hair even though hairs will be pulled out.

Women and Children

1. This prohibition applies both to men and women, but not to children below the age of Bar or Bat Mitzvah if it causes them discomfort.
2. It is permitted to perform an upsherin on Chol Hamoed even if it is delayed.
3. Some poskim are strict to forbid fixing a wig on Chol Hamoed.
4. A woman may remove other hair on her body besides for on her head.

Shaving on Chol HaMoed

See the full article about Shaving on Chol Hamoed.

1. In general, it is forbidden to shave on Chol HaMoed unless it jeopardizes his job.
2. Many Ashkenazic authorities permit shaving on Chol HaMoed for someone who shaves regularly, at least once every three days, on condition that (1) he shaved on Erev Yom Tov and (2) there's a great need or is pained by not shaving. Also, one who relies on this only to look presentable should not be protested. Some authorities are even more lenient and say that if one shaves daily and shaved on Erev Yom Tov one should shave on Chol HaMoed. However, many poskim rejected this leniency including most sephardic poskim.
3. A man may trim his mustache even if it does not interfere with his eating.

Nail Cutting

1. Ashkenazim hold that it’s forbidden to cut one’s nails normally on Chol HaMoed, while Sephardim hold that it is permissible.
2. If one cut one's nails on Erev Yom Tov one may cut them on Chol HaMoed.
3. It’s permissible to cut one’s nails with one’s hands or teeth.
4. If one usually cuts one’s nails on Erev Shabbat, it’s permissible to cut them on Chol HaMoed Erev Shabbat.
5. It’s permissible for a woman to cut her nails before going to the mikveh. If a man has the custom to go to the mikveh before every Shabbos, some poskim permit cutting nails.
6. Whenever it is permissible to cut one’s hair on Chol Hamoed, it is also permissible to cut one’s nails.
7. It is permissible to cut one’s nails for medical reasons.
8. It is permissible to cut one’s nails if they are making it difficult to put on shoes.

Laundry

Washing Machines

1. The poskim hold that the prohibition against doing laundry on chol hamoed applies today even though it is easy to do laundry in a washing machine. The reason is that the prohibition wasn't because of working on chol hamoed. It was enacted in order to ensure that a person prepares for the holiday properly and has clean clothing and doesn't save the laundry for chol hamoed.
2. If someone did all of their laundry before the holiday and now they don't have clean clothing a minority opinion in the poskim allows doing laundry in a washing machine, while most forbid it.

Adding to the Load

1. If someone is running a load of permitted clothing such as children clothing one may not add to the load more clothing that otherwise would be forbidden to clean.

Clothing, Towels, Tableclothes

1. It’s forbidden to launder clothing, towels, linens, or tablecloths on Chol HaMoed as the rabbis prohibited this so that people would prepare properly before the holiday. It’s also forbidden to launder clothing in a washing machine.

Undergarments and Socks

1. It is permitted to launder socks and stockings on chol hamoed if they got dirty. It is better to buy new ones and wash the dirty ones. It is better to wash them by adding them to a load with children clothing rather than wash them by themselves.
2. Some poskim allow cleaning an adult's undergarments if they were all cleaned before the holiday and then because they frequently get sweaty or dirty need to be laundered and there aren't any other available, can be washed in the washing machine on Chol Hamoed. However, some poskim are strict and forbid laundering undershirts.
3. Similarly, a niddah who needs to change her white underwear for Shiva Nekiyim and doesn't have enough can launder it on Chol Hamoed.

Sheets and Towels

1. One may launder guests' sheets and towels on Chol HaMoed if he had guests the first days and he needs them clean for more guests for chol hamoed or the second days.
2. It is permitted to clean sheets in a hospital and hotels on chol hamoed.
3. It is permitted to clean towels in a mikveh on chol hamoed.

Sick

1. Chazal did not make an exception for someone who was sick and was unable to do laundry before the holiday and forbid him as well.

Extenuating Circumstance

1. Chazal made a few exceptions and permitted certain people to do laundry on Chol HaMoed including a person who was released from prison on the holiday or late on Erev Yom Tov, one who arrives from over seas on Erev Yom Tov and was unable to do laundry all of Erev Yom Tov, and someone who was a mourner for a relative other than a parent, whose seventh day of mourning occurred on Erev Yom Tov which was Shabbat (and so he was unable to do laundry before the holiday). Those who Chazal permitted to cut one’s hair should do so in private.
2. If someone has only one suit and it got dirty on the first days of yom tov he can clean it for Shabbat or the second days of Yom Tov.

Women

1. It’s permissible for a women to launder her support hose, nursing bras, and white underwear if she becomes Niddah on Chol HaMoed if she has insufficient to last for the whole holiday.

Dry Cleaning

1. Dry cleaning is also forbidden like laundering. If one’s only suit became so soiled that it’s impossible to worn, some permit it to be dry cleaned, and one should consult a competent rabbinic authority.

Removing a Stain

1. Many poskim permit cleaning a stain in clothing that one needs to wear on the moed.
2. If a garment has a tough stain that won’t be removed if one waits until after the holiday, cleaning is permissible.

Ironing, Making Pleats, and Polishing

1. Ironing is permissible but pressing by a professional is forbidden.
2. Making pleats in a skirt or pants is forbidden.
3. Many poskim permit polishing one's shoes on Chol HaMoed, though some forbid it. Everyone permits brush them off.

Children's Clothing

1. If children’s clothing got dirty, it is permissible to launder the clothing that is necessary for the moed.
2. It is permitted to clean the children's clothing that are necessary for the rest of the moed all together in one load, rather than one clean the ones that are necessary right then.
3. If someone is going with their children to their parents or another place some poskim hold that one should bring as many of the children's clothing as they own in order that they won't have to launder them on chol hamoed, while others are lenient if it is a difficulty.
4. It isn't necessary to buy extra clothing before the moed to avoid having to launder children's clothing on chol hamoed.

Moving Houses

1. It is forbidden to move homes on Chol Hamoed.
2. Nonetheless, if it’s intolerable to live under present conditions, there’s a loss of money one may certainly move homes. However, if one is moving from a rented house to one that one owns, or from a home which one splits with others to live in one’s own home there’s room to be lenient and preferably one should ask a rabbinic authority.
3. One may not set aside time to move around and organize inventory for business on Chol Hamoed.
4. It is forbidden to contract a house to be built on Chol Hamoed.
5. It is permitted to pack and take home suitcases and bags that he took with him for the first days when he is traveling to another place or home on chol hamoed.

Buying and Selling

1. One is not permitted to purchase or sell an item that will not be needed for the festival.
2. One is permitted to buy or sell if by not undergoing the transaction he would experience a loss. Accordingly, if there is an opportunity such as a sale that is passing and the sale will not happen again, one may purchase the object at the discounted price.
3. One may purchase or sell something that is generally bought or sold for the festival even in public.
4. One may not return an item unless one would not be able to return the item after the festival.
5. One should not shop online during Chol HaMoed unless no money is being paid.
6. If one traveled during the moed and found a unique object that he will not be able to find when he returns from his trip, he may purchase such an item.
7. One is permitted to make a sale if he is poor and the sale will provide him with more money that he can spend for the moed.

Bringing Items to and back from a Professional

1. One should not pick up an item from a store even if one ordered it before the holiday and even if the store is a non-Jewish store. If the item is necessary for the holiday it can be picked up on Chol Hamoed. If it is necessary for a mitzvah item even if it isn't a tzorech hamoed it can be picked up on Chol Hamoed.
2. It is forbidden to bring an item to a professional on chol hamoed even if it is something that is necessary for the moed.

Traveling

1. Taking a trip for pleasure is considered a legitimate festival need and thus may be done on Chol HaMoed
2. Modes of transportation that are forbidden on a Torah level on Yom Tov (e.g. a car) may not be used on Chol HaMoed without need, while other modes of transportation (e.g. a bicycle) may even be used without need.

Writing

1. Writing in a non-professional manner such as regular handwriting is permissible for a need of the holiday, public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah. It is customary when writing for a need of the holiday or a public need that isn't for the holiday to alter the way in which one writes.
2. Writing in a professional manner/calligraphy is only permissible if there’s a public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah.
3. Because of ‘need of the holiday’, it’s permissible to write a shopping list or a social letter. Additionally a child may draw. Some say that one should write on a slant so as to function as a Shinui (change from the norm).
4. It is permissible to take notes in a vocational course, write homework for school, or to write a bank deposit because of a concern of a loss.
5. Some permit using a copy machine (since it’s not similar to writing) for a ‘need of the holiday’, while some only permit in order to prevent a loss.
6. It’s permissible to use a tape recorder on Chol HaMoed.
7. If a person has a nuance in Torah he is permitted to write it down so that he doesn't forget it.
8. If a sefer torah is invalid and the congregation needs it for kriyat hatorah it may be fixed on chol hamoed.

Typing

1. Some consider typing on a computer like non-professional writing and so it’s permissible if there’s a ‘need of the holiday’. However, some consider typing like professional writing which is only permissible is there’s a public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah.
2. There is a dispute whether printing from a computer is considered like professional or ordinary writing. Most poskim are lenient. Therefore, they permit printing even for just a tzorech hamoed. The stringent poskim would only allow printing for a dvar haaved.

Taking Pictures

1. Some permit using a camera (since it’s not similar to writing) for a ‘need of the holiday’, while some only permit if there’s a loss (such as if one will miss a rare opportunity to take such a picture).
2. Many permit taking pictures with digital cameras or camcorders. The files from cameras or camcorders may be transferred to a computer.
3. Burning pictures onto a disk is permitted by many authorities. Others say it is only allowed in cases of necessity for the Moed or monetary loss.
4. Many permit the use of a film camera unconditionally; others permit only for a rare photo opportunity.
5. One should not have pictures developed on Chol Hamoed.

Going to Work on Chol HaMoed

1. If one may lose one’s job or if one can’t explain it to one’s employer and one will lose a promotion then it’s permissible to go to work. Additionally, it’s permissible to work for needs of the public community such as a work for the Shul.
2. If one will lose one’s usual customers if one doesn’t open one’s store on Chol HaMoed and not just a loss of income then it’s permissible to open one’s store on Chol HaMoed but still one should minimize one’s hours.

Having Simchas

1. It’s forbidden to have a wedding on Chol haMoed because of Ein Maarivin Simcha BeSimcha (one may not mix different Simcha’s).
2. It’s permissible to have a Brit Milah, Pidyon HaBen, or Siyum.

Tefillin

See the full in depth discussion about Tefillin on Chol HaMoed here.

1. The minhag of some Ashkenazim is to wear Tefillin on Chol HaMoed, however, the minhag in Israel and minhag of Sephardim is not to wear Tefillin on Chol HaMoed. Someone who doesn’t have a minhag should not wear Tefillin on Chol haMoed.
   1. In Eretz Yisrael, the minhag is not to wear tefillin on Chol Hamoed. If an Ashkenazi who wears Tefillin in the diaspora and makes aliyah he doesn't have to wear tefillin, but if he wants he can wear it at home. If he plans to return back to the diaspora he must wear tefillin while he's in Eretz Yisrael at home.
2. One who wears Tefillin should stipulate before wearing the Tefillin that if there’s an obligation then I wish to fulfill that obligation, and if not, I have no intention of fulfilling the mitzvah with my action.
3. If one wears Tefillin on Chol HaMoed one shouldn’t wear Tefillin of Rabbenu Tam (even if one usually wears Tefillin of Rabbenu Tam).
4. Some authorities hold that if some people in the Shul wear Tefillin and others don’t there’s a violation of Lo Titgodidu (don’t cause factions in observance of Torah) and so they advise that one should either find a shul that has your minhag or pray in different locations in the same shul. Others hold it is fine for people who wear tefillin and those who don't wear tefillin to join together for minyan.

Work Through a Non-Jew

1. It is forbidden to instruct a non-Jew to do any activity that’s forbidden for a Jew to do on Chol HaMoed.
2. It is forbidden to have a non-Jew build one's house on Chol Hamoed. This is forbidden even if it is contracted and isn't fired per hour or day. It is forbidden even if it is outside of the town.
3. For a mitzvah it is permitted to ask a non-Jew to do construction on Chol Hamoed.
4. If hiring a worker on chol hamoed is cheaper than hiring him afterwards nonetheless it is forbidden to hire the worker on chol hamoed, even if he's non-Jewish.

Links

• Contemporary Applications of Hilchos Chol HaMoed by Rabbi Elchanan Adler
• Hilchos Chol Hamoed by Rabbi Hershel Schachter

Related Pages

• Chol Hamoed Packet

Sources

( V | T )	The Jewish Holidays
Elul/Tishrei	Chodesh Elul - Rosh Hashana - Aseret Yimei Teshuva - Yom Kippur - Sukkot - Shemini Aseret - Simchat Torah
Kislev/Shvat/Adar	Chanukah - Tu BiShevat - Purim - Purim Katan
Nissan/Iyar/Sivan	Pesach - Yom HaAtzmaut - Lag BaOmer - Sefirat HaOmer - Shavuot
Tammuz/Av	Three Weeks - Nine Days - Tisha BeAv - Tu BeAv
Misc.	Yom Tov - Chol HaMoed - Rosh Chodesh - Fast Days