Dose of Halacha

Question: While I’m washing my children’s clothes on chol hamoed , can I throw some of my own clothes into the washing machine? Answer: The Gemara (Moed Katan 14a) writes that in order to ensure that people would prepare properly for yom tov, chazal instituted that it is forbidden to wash clothes on chol hamoed. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 534:1) writes that under regular circumstances one mustn’t wash one’s clothes on chol hamoed . The Rema, however, writes that one may wash young children’s clothes if they constantly dirty them. The Mishna Berura (534:11) explains that one can only wash children’s clothes that they’ll need for that yom tov. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer 7:48:1), R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:354) and R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 66:63) write that as the reason for this prohibition is to ensure that people are well prepared for yom tov , it doesn’t make a difference how one washes their clothes. Thus, one can’t wash adult’s cl...

Question: Does one need to wear Shabbos clothes on chol hamoed ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 529:1) writes that one should wear nicer clothes on Yom Tov than one does even on Shabbos. The Mishna Berura (529:12) explains that this is because of the special mitzva to be happy on yom tov (See Rambam, Yom Tov 6:17). There is also a mitzva to treat yom tov with both oneg (joy) and kavod (honour), though there is a machlokes among the poskim as to whether one needs to treat chol hamoed with the same oneg and kavod. The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 529:5) writes that these don’t apply on chol hamoed. The Mishna Berura (530:1) quotes the Magen Avraham (OC 530:1), however, who writes that one needs t o treat chol hamoed with kavod and notes that the Maharil would wear his Shabbos clothes on chol hamoed . Thus, the Chayei Adam (106:1) writes that one must wear one’s Shabbos clothes on chol hamoed. Nonetheless, the Mishna Berura ( Shaar Hatziyun 530:4) notes that while...

Question:  Am I allowed to make a sign on my computer on chol hamoed to advertise a shiur ?   Answer: The Mishna (Moed Katan 11a) teaches us that ma’aseh uman (the work of a craftsman) must not be performed on behalf of an individual on chol hamoed . Only ma’aseh hedyot (the work of an ordinary person) that is necessary for that chag is allowed. Rambam (Yom Tov 7:14) writes that personal letters are considered ma’aseh hedyot and so may be written, though the Rema (OC 545:1; 5) adds that one should do so in an unusual manner. Thus, the Magen Avraham (545:21) suggests writing the first line on a slant, while the Mishna Berura (Shaar Hatziun 545:8) writes that one can write in a different script. He emphasises (Biur Halacha 545:1), however, that one should only write when absolutely necessary. R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Moadim Uzmanim 4:301) considers printing to be ma'aseh uman and therefore assur. Nonetheless, the Eshel Avraham (545:7) writes that while using stamps...

Question: I am going on a family outing on Chol Hamoed. Do I need to ensure that I eat in a Sukka? Answer:   The Gemara in Sukka (26a) teaches us that one is exempt from eating and sleeping in a Sukka while travelling because teishvu kaein taduru, one doesn’t alter one’s normal living habits in order to live in a Sukka. Rashi explains that just as during the rest of the year living at home does not prevent one for travelling on a business trip, so too one may make a business trip (over Chol Hamoed). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 640:8) paskens like the Gemara, though the Rema adds that debt collectors travelling to villages which don’t have a Sukka will be blessed if they are particular to return home each night. The Mishna Berura (260:40-45 and Biur Halacha) explains that one should look for a Sukka. If there isn’t one around one doesn’t need to go to the bother of building one just for a night, though should for a longer stay. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 3:93) qualifies ...

Question: Is one allowed to shave on chol hamoed ? Answer: The Mishna teaches that chazal instituted that one must not take a haircut on chol hamoed to ensure that one does so before Yom Tov. Thus, Rambam (Yom Tov 7:17) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 531:2) write that one must not take a haircut on chol hamoed even if one took a haircut beforehand. Only one who was unable to do so due to being imprisoned, etc. would be permitted to do so now. The Tur (OC 531:1) quotes Rabbeinu Tam who writes that since the Mishna’s reason for the prohibition is to ensure that people will take a haircut before Yom Tov, if one did in fact have a haircut beforehand, they may do so again on chol hamoed . Nonetheless, the Tur explains why other rishonim disagree. Firstly, the Gemara does not make any such exception. Additionally, others will not know that he shaved before Yom Tov. The Noda Biyehuda ( OC 1:13 ; 2:99-101) wrote that it is permissible to employ a barber on chol hamoed if they were des...