Introduction
This chapter continues the laws of Chol HaMoed, focusing on:
- Agriculture
- Preventing financial loss
- Property maintenance
- Commerce
- Burial matters
- Erev Pesach restrictions
A recurring theme is:
Necessary work is permitted, but improvement and ordinary business activity are generally forbidden.
Halachah 1 — Irrigation From Existing Water Sources
Parched fields may be irrigated during Chol HaMoed from:
- Flowing streams
- Existing springs
- Irrigation channels
provided the water source is stable and flowing.
Reason:
- Preventing loss is permitted.
Halachah 2 — Excessive Effort Is Forbidden
One may not:
- Draw water uphill
- Perform labor-intensive irrigation
even when irrigation itself would otherwise be permitted.
Permitted
Watering vegetables intended for festival consumption.
Forbidden
Watering crops merely to improve their future quality.
Halachah 3 — Repairing Existing Irrigation Systems
One may not create entirely new agricultural systems.
However, one may:
- Repair irrigation ditches
- Restore existing channels
- Deepen damaged waterways
because repairs prevent loss.
Halachah 4 — Watering Previously Untended Plants
Plants requiring extraordinary watering may not be watered.
Reason:
- Excessive labor exceeds what Chol HaMoed permits.
Permitted
- Redirecting rivers
- Opening blocked waterways
- Repairing existing cisterns and reservoirs
Forbidden
- Digging entirely new private reservoirs.
Halachah 5 — Trapping Harmful Animals
Mice damaging orchards may be trapped.
Orchard
Permitted in the ordinary manner.
Nearby Fields
Permitted only with an unusual method.
Reason:
- To prevent damage while minimizing ordinary work.
Halachah 6 — Walls and Protective Structures
Garden Walls
May be rebuilt only in a simple, amateur fashion.
Courtyard Walls
May be rebuilt normally.
Reason:
- Security and safety concerns.
Dangerous walls may be demolished and rebuilt fully.
Halachah 7 — Household Repairs
Permitted:
- Building benches
- Repairing locks
- Repairing keys
- Repairing hinges
- Repairing doors
Reason:
- Failure to repair them can cause substantial loss.
Where loss exists:
Normal methods are allowed.
Halachah 8 — Preparing Graves
One may not:
- Dig graves in advance
- Build burial structures in anticipation of future need
However:
- Existing graves may be modified as needed.
Halachah 9 — Moving Human Remains
Generally forbidden:
- Moving a corpse
- Relocating bones
Even on ordinary weekdays.
Exception
Transfer to a family burial plot.
Halachah 10 — Tree Care
Forbidden:
- Removing worms from trees
- Fertilizing young trees
- Pruning
Permitted:
- Applying oil to trees and fruit
Also Permitted
Harvesting materials useful for festival needs, such as:
- Flax
- Hops
Halachah 11 — Fertilizing Fields
One may not intentionally use sheep to fertilize fields.
Reason:
- This improves the land.
Permitted
If sheep wander in naturally.
Additional Leniency
Long-term shepherding arrangements may continue.
Halachah 12 — Determining Intent
Many activities depend on intention.
Permitted
If done for immediate use:
- Gathering wood for fuel
- Leveling land for storage
- Diverting water to catch fish
- Cutting branches for animal feed
Forbidden
When intended for:
- Agricultural improvement
- Farm development
Halachah 13 — Ovens, Mills, and Necessary Equipment
Permitted when usable during the festival:
- Building ovens
- Repairing ovens
- Repairing beds
- Cleaning mills
- Repairing water systems for mills
The determining factor:
Will it serve a festival need?
Halachah 14 — Preventing Spoilage
Permitted:
- Sealing wine containers
- Sealing beer containers
- Covering drying figs
- Softening garments by hand
Forbidden:
- Professional garment finishing
Halachah 15 — Animal Care and Medical Treatment
Permitted:
- Trimming work animals’ hooves
- Grooming horses
- Veterinary treatments
- Bloodletting
- Medicinal food and drinks
Forbidden:
- Breeding animals during Chol HaMoed
Halachah 16 — Moving Homes
Forbidden:
- Moving between courtyards
Permitted:
- Moving between houses within the same courtyard
Craftsman’s Shop
Festival necessities may be collected.
Items not needed for the festival generally may not be collected.
Halachah 17 — Work on Erev Yom Tov
After midday before a festival:
- Work is generally discouraged.
One who works then:
- Does not see blessing from that work.
The court may rebuke him.
Halachah 18 — Special Rule for Erev Pesach
The afternoon of the 14th of Nissan is stricter.
Reason:
- The Korban Pesach was offered then.
Therefore:
- Work is forbidden from midday onward.
Before midday:
- Local custom determines practice.
Halachah 19 — Special Trades on Erev Pesach
Even where work is permitted:
New jobs should generally not be started.
Exceptions
- Tailors
- Barbers
- Launderers
because people need these services for the festival.
Halachah 20 — Following Local Custom
Travelers must respect local practice.
General rule:
Follow both the stringencies of where you came from and where you arrive.
Reason:
- Avoid disputes.
- Preserve communal harmony.
Halachah 21 — Erev Pesach Leniencies
Erev Pesach is actually more lenient than Chol HaMoed in several areas.
Permitted:
- Fetching items from craftsmen
- Removing manure
- Preparing chicken nests
Eggs Being Incubated
If a hen dies on the 14th of Nissan:
- Another hen may be placed on the eggs.
On Chol HaMoed itself this is generally not permitted.