Chol HaMoed: Difference between revisions

# One should fulfill simcha of Chol HaMoed with that which makes each person happy. Some say that this can be fulfilled with any activity that brings a person enjoyment. However, some have the practice to fulfill simcha as Chazal instituted concerning Yom Tov: men to drink wine, women by wearing new clothing, and children by getting toys or candies. <Ref> Regarding simcha of Yom Tov, Pesachim 109a says that nowadays when there’s no Korbanot shlamim one fulfills simcha with wine. The Gemara continues that women fulfill their simcha with new clothes and children with toys and candies. This is brought as Halacha in Rambam (Yom Tov 6:17) and S”A 529:2. Rambam (Mitzvah 54) and Chinuch (Mitzvah 488) hold that Simcha is a Mitzvah Deoritta nowadays, however, Tosfot (Moed Katan 14b D”H Aseh) holds that Simcha is only fulfilled Derabbanan nowadays. According to Magan Avraham 530:1, Nimukei Orach Chaim 530:2, Moadim UZmanim 1:29 there’s no obligation to have wine on Chol HaMoed (this may be based on Sukkah 47b). However, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (by Rabbi Dovid Zucker Siman 1) writes that from Rambam 6:17 it seems that all the days of the holiday are the same in how to fulfill Simcha. Similarly, Sh”t Rabbi Akiva Eiger 1 (in the Hashmatot), Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (Buir 1) in name of Rav Yacov Kamenetsky, Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Debersiner Rav who hold that there’s a reason to have wine to fulfill simcha. </ref>

# According to those who fulfill simcha on Chol HaMoed like simcha on Yom Tov, men should fulfill simcha with wine and not grape juice. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (Buir 1:2) quotes Rabbi Moshe Feinstien and the Debersiner Rav who say that grape juice doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah of simcha. Nemukei Orach Chaim 529:2 writes that one should have a reviyat of wine, while Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 3; based on Sh”t Rosh 25:1) writes that a Meloh Lugmav is sufficient. </ref>

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