- Tearing:[1]
It is permitted to tear any item for the need of the Holiday. It is forbidden to tear without need for the Holiday unless all the following conditions are met:
- One’s intent is to destroy the item.[2]
And
- The item is not attached to the ground,
And
- The item is a single entity as opposed to being combined from different materials.
And
- The tearing does not involve the work of a professional.
May one cut toilet paper? This may be done for use during the Holiday.
May one sell fabrics or other materials which are required to be cut? They may only be cut if it they have a need for the Holiday. However there are Poskim which rule this is permitted to be done. May one cut a piece of paper for no reason?[3] Yes it may be cut as long as one does not intend to cut it to any specific measurement. |
Separating items which have been taped or glued together:
Have the same law as tearing, see above.
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[1] Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 4:13-14
[2] If one’s intent is to use fix the item for a use through tearing it then doing so is forbidden unless it contains a Holiday need. [ibid]
[3] Beir Moshe 7:10
