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Chol HaMoed: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
→Buying and Selling
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==Buying and Selling== | ==Buying and Selling== | ||
# It’s forbidden to buy and sell in any amount on Chol HaMoed because of the exertion involved. <Ref>S”A 539:1 writes that buying or selling in any amount is forbidden on Chol HaMoed. Mishna Brurah 539:1 explains that the reason is exertion. </ref> | # It’s forbidden to buy and sell in any amount on Chol HaMoed because of the exertion involved. <Ref>S”A 539:1 writes that buying or selling in any amount is forbidden on Chol HaMoed. Mishna Brurah 539:1 explains that the reason is exertion. </ref> | ||
==Traveling== | |||
# Taking a trip for pleasure is considered a legitimate festival need and thus may be done on Chol HaMoed <ref> S.A. 536:1. It is problematic, however, to engage constantly in pleasure trips without enjoying the Moed through festive meals and Torah; see Kol Bo and M.B. 530:2.</ref> | |||
# 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, <ref> As a basic extension of the laws of the Chol HaMoed. However, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Piskei Halachos 6) permits the use of a car even for walkable distances.</ref> while other modes of transportation (e.g. a bicycle) may even be used without need. <ref>Mo’adei Hashem 34. See Rama 536:1 for the parallel case of riding an animal. </ref> | |||
# 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. <ref> S.A. 536:1. M.A. there quotes the Maharik that if this was done, the use of the item is forbidden. </ref> | |||
# When it comes to vehicular repairs, whether the action is allowed and to what extent it is allowed depends on the expertise required. If the problem requires a maaseh uman, the work of a professional (e.g. patching a tire from the inside), it may not be performed on Chol HaMoed, even if the vehicle is needed. <ref>S.A. 543:1. According to M.A. and Pri Megadim there, if the travel is for a mitzvah, the repair may be done by a non-Jew in this case. This may also apply to a case in which one will be prevented from enjoying the holiday if the repair does not take place, in consideration of the above allowance through the opinion of the Behag and those who think that work on Chol HaMoed is only a rabbinic prohibition. </ref> If it only requires a maaseh hedyot, the work of an average person (e.g. jumpstarting a car), it may be done on Chol HaMoed. <ref>S.A. 536:1. </ref> | |||
# If a mechanic is hired, he must be either non-Jewish or Jewish and not take payment. If he is Jewish but not taking payment, then he must also do the work in private to be permitted.<ref>S.A. 533:5 </ref> | |||
# All of the above is only the case if there is no monetary loss, davar ha’aved, involved. If there is a potential loss if the repairs are not done, such as if a car breaks down in the middle of a trip, then any repairs not involving excessive exertion <ref> See S.A. 537:2.</ref> may be performed. <ref>See Shemiras Shabbas Kehilchesa 66:59 note 230. </ref> | |||
# If such a loss will only apply after the Moed, in order for an expert repair to be allowed due to loss, there must be further damage incurred if it is not fixed specifically on Chol HaMoed. <ref>There is a combination of factors involved here; for further analysis see R’ Nebenzahl’s Yerushalayim BeMoadeha pp. 279-282. </ref> | |||
# Renting a vehicle on Chol HaMoed in order to travel is permitted. <ref>See S.A. 536:1 </ref> | |||
==Writing== | ==Writing== | ||
# Writing in a professional manner/calligraphy is only permissible if there’s a public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah. <ref>Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 72-73). Background: The Mishna in Moed Katan 18b states that one may not write a loan unless the lender doesn’t trust the borrower and could potentially lose his capital. The Rambam (Chol HaMoed 7:13) and S”A 545:1 generalize this by stating that one may not write on Chol HaMoed if there’s no potential loss of money. </ref> | # Writing in a professional manner/calligraphy is only permissible if there’s a public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah. <ref>Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 72-73). Background: The Mishna in Moed Katan 18b states that one may not write a loan unless the lender doesn’t trust the borrower and could potentially lose his capital. The Rambam (Chol HaMoed 7:13) and S”A 545:1 generalize this by stating that one may not write on Chol HaMoed if there’s no potential loss of money. </ref> | ||
