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Chol HaMoed: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
→Physical needs of a person
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# 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 40) </ref> | # 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 40) </ref> | ||
==Physical | ==Physical Needs== | ||
# 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 41) </ref> | # 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 41). What’s the basis for this leniency? Ritva (Moed Katan 9a s.v. oseh, 14a s.v. veshaar) explains that attending to one’s physical needs is considered Ochel Nefesh. See also Pirush Mishnayot of Rambam (Beitzah 2:4). </ref> | ||
# Therefore, one may shower with hot water and soap, brush one’s teeth on Chol HaMoed. Similarly, a | # 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 41) </ref> | ||
# If one’s only pair of glasses break one may fix it or have a professional optician fix it. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 42) </ref> | # If one’s only pair of glasses break one may fix it or have a professional optician fix it. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 42). Igrot Moshe 3:78 writes that it is permitted to fix one’s glasses on Chol HaMoed. He adds that one could fix sunglasses if one needs them to see outdoors. Shevet HaLevi 4:214 adds that one could even have a professional fix one’s regular glasses if one needs them to see. </ref> | ||
# 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 43) </ref> | # 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 43) </ref> | ||
# A person who is already sick can go to the doctor for treatment because a treating the sickness is a physical need.<ref> S”A 532:2 writes that it is permitted to treat a sick patient on Chol HaMoed. Mishna Brurah 532:5 adds that even melachot can be performed in order to heal a person on Chol HaMoed. </ref> | |||
# 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 45) </ref> | # 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 45) </ref> | ||
# It’s permissible to take [[medications]] on Chol haMoed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 45) </ref> | # It’s permissible to take [[medications]] on Chol haMoed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 45) </ref> | ||
# Some permit a regular medical checkup, whereas others advise avoiding it on Chol HaMoed. <Ref>http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/733780/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Hilchos_Chol_Hamoed min 29-30, Rav Hershel Schachter holds that it’s permissible to schedule a doctor’s appointment even lechatchila and even if you planned to go on Chol HaMoed. | # Some permit a regular medical checkup, whereas others advise avoiding it on Chol HaMoed. <Ref>http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/733780/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Hilchos_Chol_Hamoed min 29-30, Rav Hershel Schachter holds that it’s permissible to schedule a doctor’s appointment even lechatchila and even if you planned to go on Chol HaMoed. Similarly, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 46) quotes Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg and Rav Elyashiv concur and explain that just like it is permitted to do Ochel Nefesh on Chol HaMoed even if it is planned for then, it is similarly permitted to go for a checkup even if it is scheduled for Chol HaMoed. He assumes that a checkup is considered in the category of medical attention. | ||
Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 46) quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein saying that one should not have a routine checkup if it does not involve a Melacha such as drawing blood. Igrot Moshe 3:78 writes that the leniency of doing melacha for physical need on Chol HaMoed only applies if a person is in pain or is afraid that not going to the doctor will make the condition worse. However, a healthy person shouldn’t make a dentist appointment on Chol HaMoed since it involves melachot and can be done afterwards. Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 62) follows the opinion of Rav Moshe and extends it to any routine medical checkup. Furthermore, Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg. 46) quotes Rav Moshe as saying that in order not to degrade the sanctity of the holiday one shouldn’t go for a checkup even if no melacha is involved. | |||
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==Taking a Haircut== | ==Taking a Haircut== | ||
