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Chol HaMoed: Difference between revisions

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# 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).  <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 75-6) </ref>
# 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).  <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 75-6) </ref>
# Because of ‘a loss of money’ it’s permissible to write down a Torah thought (חידוש), take notes in a vocational course, write homework for school, or to write a bank deposit (if one fears losing the money). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 76-77) </ref>  
# Because of ‘a loss of money’ it’s permissible to write down a Torah thought (חידוש), take notes in a vocational course, write homework for school, or to write a bank deposit (if one fears losing the money). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 76-77) </ref>  
# 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. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 78) writes that Rav Moshe Feinstein considers typing to be non-professional writing, while, Rav Yacov Kamentsky and other poskim consider typing professional writing. Similarly, Igrot Moshe EH 4:73(4) implies that typing on a computer isn’t considered a melacha. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata also considers typing to be non-professional writing.Sh”t Yabea Omer 8:48(5) writes that it is permitted to write down torah learning on a computer because it is considered non-professional writing and adds that Sh"t [[Shevet Halevi]] 6:37 s.v. VeAf argues.</ref>
# 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). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 78) quotes Rav Moshe as permitting and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky as forbidding. </ref>
# 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). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 78) quotes Rav Moshe as permitting and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky as forbidding. </ref>
# 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 79) quotes Rav Moshe as permitting and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky as forbidding. </ref>
# 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. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 79) quotes Rav Moshe as permitting and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky as forbidding. </ref>
# It’s permissible to use a tape recorder on Chol HaMoed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 79) </ref>
# It’s permissible to use a tape recorder on Chol HaMoed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 79) </ref>
===Typing===
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. <ref>The Mishna (Moed Katan 18b) establishes that in general one may not write on Chol HaMoed. Rambam (Chol HaMoed 7:13) and S”A 545:1 codify this. Just like other melachos on Chol HaMoed, there are two categories of writing. The Rama 545:1 quotes two opinions about whether ordinary writing is considered professional and says that the minhag is to be lenient. Based on this and other reasons, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (p. 87) writes that ordinary writing is maaseh hedyot. S”A 540:1 and Mishna Brurah 540:1 clarify that maaseh hedyot is muter for a tzorech hamoed. Mishna Brurah 545:4 writes that writing of a sofer is considered professional and would not be permitted even for a holiday need. A very practical question to ask is how this halacha translates to typing on a computer. Is that considered like regular writing or professional writing?
* Rav Ovadia Yosef (Sh”t Yabia Omer 8:48(5)) writes that typing on a computer is considered non-professional writing and would permit typing up divrei torah one might forget or sending greetings for a holiday need. Similarly, Igrot Moshe EH 4:73(4) implies that typing on a computer isn’t considered a melacha. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata Ch. 66 n. 211 adds that typing is permitted because it isn’t permanent, however, saving the information to the hard-drive is problematic because of boneh as the disk is improved when information is saved.  See Sh"t [[Shevet Halevi]] 6:37 s.v. VeAf as to whether typing is considered like writing for the purpose of Chol HaMoed.</ref>
# There is a further dispute whether printing from a computer is considered like professional or ordinary writing. <ref>Regarding printing, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 78) records a dispute between Rav Moshe Feinstein who considers printing to be non-professional writing and Rav Yacov Kamentsky who argues that printing is considered professional writing. </ref>


==Going to work on Chol HaMoed==
==Going to work on Chol HaMoed==