Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

May one sign a check on Chol Hamoed?[1] If the matter is needed for the Moed then it is permitted. [1] SSH”K 66:11; Piskeiy Teshuvos 545:14 Bookmark

Is it permitted to sign with a stamp on Chol Hamoed? Some opinions[1] rule that this is forbidden [Maaseh Uman]. Others hold[2] that it is permitted [Masseh Hedyot]. Seemingly when done for a Chol Hamoed need one may be lenient, as according to all when Maaseh Uman is done for […]

Is it permitted to take pictures? Film Cameras: It is forbidden to take pictures at random during Chol Hamoed. However, a rare shot that one will not be able to take after the Moed, like by a family gathering, etc may be taken.[1] However there are opinions[2]  which allow it […]

May one type on Chol Hamoed?[1] Some Poskim[2] rule it is permitted to do so without restriction.[3] Others[4] however rule it may only be done for Holiday needs.[5] Others[6] rule it is completely forbidden with exception to those cases of which even skilled work [Maaseh Uman] is permitted.[7] According to […]

May one write a loan document on Chol Hamoed?[1] If one is unable to borrow the money after the Holiday, and is unable to borrow without writing a loan document, then it is permitted for him to do Picso even if he does not need the money for use during […]

Letter to friend: It is permitted to write a friendly letter to an acquaintance on Chol Hamoed.[1] Nevertheless, one is to write the first line slightly slanted.[2] ____________________________________ [1] Bach; Taz; Elya Raba; M”B 545:35; See Michaber 545:5 regarding Sheilas Shalom and Prakmatya; M”B 545:4 and 30 Other Opinions: Some […]

Kesuba: It is permitted to write a Kesuba on Chol Hamoed, however there are opinions that are stringent.[1] Practically one is to write it in regular script.[2] __________________________________________________ [1] Rama 545:5 [2] M”B 545:29 Bookmark

Accounting:[1] It is permitted to write an accounting form that describes one’s financial situation, income and expenditure.[2] _____________________________________________ [1] Michaber 545:4 [2] The reason: As this is considered a Davar Haved. [M”B 545:18] Bookmark

Divrei Torah:[1] If one heard a [Torah] novelty, it is permitted to write it down in order so he does not forget it.[2] [The same applies if one came up on his own with a Torah novelty, that it is permitted to write it on Chol Hamoed in order so […]

Writing on Chol Hamoed[1] It is forbidden to write [or draw pictures or designs[2]] on Chol Hamoed.[3] However, the Poskim differentiate regarding the type of script that is forbidden to be written, its purposes that it may be written for, and the form of writing it. Professional script: It is […]

Walking past the Techum:[1] It is always permitted to walk or travel past the Techum during chol Hamoed. [1] Kitzur 104:19 Bookmark

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 […]

May one rip grass and the like from the ground for no reason?[1] No. [1] Beir Moshe 7:11 Bookmark

Uprooting items from the ground:[1] It is forbidden to uproot items from the ground[2] unless there is a need to do so for the Holiday, such as to eat a fruit or vegetable that is attached to the ground. ________________ [1] Kitzur 104:9 [2] See Michaber 547:12 in name of […]

May one spill water over grass or over a plant on Chol Hamoed, such as when washing hands or emptying his cup? It is permitted for one to spill water over grass or over plants on Chol Hamoed if he is no intent to water the plant by doing so, […]

May one plant on Chol Hamoed?[1] No.[2] Is dispute if Davar Haveid.[3] ___________________________ [1] See Chol Hamoed Kehilchasa chapter 11; See Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso chapter 7 [2] Kitzur SHU”A 8; Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso p. 182; Piskeiy Teshuvos 638:4; See Michaber 638:9; Moed Katan 11b [3] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 638:4 Bookmark

May I go horseback riding on Chol Hamoed & may I take training classes for horseback riding on Chol Hamoed as part of the course that I am taking of which one of the training days falls on Chol Hamoed? Yes. It is permitted to go horseback riding on Chol […]

Driving:[1] Driving on Chol Hamoed: It is permitted to drive on Chol Hamoed whether it is for the need of the Moed or simply for the sake of a trip or outing.[2] [If however it is not for the need of the Moed and is not for the sake of […]

May one cook or bake food for after the Moed?[1] It is forbidden to cook or bake food during Chol Hamoed for the sake of eating after the Moed.   May one cook or bake food on Chol Hameod for the sake of Shabbos which falls after the last day […]

May one turn on and off a light for no reason? Yes. However, some rule it is forbidden. Bookmark

On Chol Hamoed may one speak about doing Melacha after the Moed? Yes.[1] [1] This is permitted according to all as it does not involve any effort and is merely Rabbinically forbidden. Bookmark

📋 Melachos on Chol Hamoed – Permitted vs. Forbidden   ✅ General Rule of Thumb: Amateur/simple work (Maaseh Hedyot) → Often permitted if for Moed, mitzvah, or to prevent loss. Professional work (Maaseh Uman) → Generally forbidden, unless for food prep, public bodily needs, or preventing loss.   Melacha Status […]

    Maaseh Uman Maaseh Hedyot In Public Through another Jew for money Mikaven Milachto For after the Moed No Tircha Permitted[1] Permitted[2]           Need of food for the Holiday   Forbidden   Permitted   Forbidden, unless can’t find gentile Permitted   Case of loss Permitted […]

Amira Lenachri on Chol Hamoed – Doing Melacha through a gentile:[1] Any Melacha which is forbidden to be performed during Chol Hamoed by a Jew remains forbidden to be performed through asking a Gentile. The need of a Mitzvah and the Moed:[2] It is permitted to ask a gentile to […]

Performing Melacha on Chol Hamoed that does not involve effort and is not time consuming:[1] All Melacha [even Biblical in nature[2]] which is not time consuming, and hence involves no effort to perform, is permitted to be performed during Chol Hamoed without restriction. [See footnote for background and other opinions[3]] […]

Mikvaein Melachto Lamoed It is forbidden to schedule to do this Melacha during the Moed, and one must initially do so before the Moed. If one intentionally scheduled to do so during the Moed he may not do so even in a case of Davar Haveid. Bookmark

Tzarchei Rabim:[1] It is permitted to perform Melacha on Chol Hamoed for the sake of the public.[2] This however only applies to needs of the public that relate to the bodily needs of a person, while other public needs are forbidden to be performed during the Moed.[3] [Public matters that […]

The sake of a Mitzvah:[1] It is forbidden to perform professional work [Maaseh Uman] even for the sake of a Mitzvah. [It is however permitted to perform any amateur work [Maaseh Hedyot] for the sake of a Mitzvah.[3]] _____________________________________ [1] Rama 544:1; Rivash 226; Taz 544:1; See Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso […]

Question: [Monday, 17th Tishreiy 5780] May I print papers on Chol Hamoed?   Answer: No, unless the papers are needed for the sake of Chag are needed for the public or is a great need, or is being done to prevent monetary loss. The reason: It is disputed amongst Poskim […]

Is the prohibition against performing Melacha on Chol Hamoed Biblical or Rabbinical? It is disputed amongst Poskim whether the prohibition of doing Melacha on Chol Hamoed is of Biblical or Rabbinical origin. Some Poskim[1] rule it is Biblically forbidden. Other Poskim[2] rule it is Rabbinically forbidden. Practically, Admur rules it […]

Medical treatment: All medical treatments are permitted during Chol Hamoed. Bookmark

Killing animals and creatures May one go fishing on Chol Hamoed? Commercial fishing and fishing for food purposes: It is permitted to go fishing during Chol Hamoed if one’s intent in doing so is to eat the fish during the Moed. There is no limit as to how many fish […]

Mourning: Eulogy: Eulogies are forbidden to be given during Chol Hamoed, and hence one does not eulogize the Niftar. One may not even recite words of praise for the Niftar, as doing so can lead to eulogizing him. However, one may say words of Torah to arouse the public. Some […]

Working and Business Collecting debts: It is permitted to collect money of a loan during Chol Hamoed. This applies whether the borrower is a Jew or gentile. [This applies even if one is able to collect the loan also after the Moed.] It is, however, forbidden to collect merchandise in […]

Building: It is forbidden to build anything during Chol Hamoed. This applies even if it is for the need of the Moed. Meleches Hedyot: It is permitted to perform amateur building jobs on Chol Hamoed if it is being done for the sake of the Moed. May a gentile continue […]

Laundry: The prohibition: It is forbidden to launder clothing during the Moed. This applies even if one is doing so for the sake of wearing the clothing during the Moed. The cases of exception: The Sages permitted one to launder clothing during the Moed under certain circumstances. These circumstances of […]

Cutting nails during Chol Hamoed?: One may not cut his nails with a knife or scissor [or nail cutter] during Chol Hamoed. This applies to both the hand and toenails. For the sake of a Mitzvah: It is permitted to cut nails in their regular way [even with scissors] for […]

Haircut and Shaving: Erev Yom Tov: It is a Mitzvah to get a haircut on Erev Yom Tov. The prohibition to cut hair during the Moed: It is forbidden to cut one’s hair during the Moed. This applies even if one cut his hair prior to the Moed. This applies […]

Writing on Chol Hamoed: Introduction: It is forbidden to write [or draw pictures or designs] on Chol Hamoed. However, the Poskim differentiate regarding the type of script that is forbidden to be written, its purposes that it may be written for, and the form of writing it. Professional script: It […]

Moving homes: It is forbidden to move from one house to another during Chol Hamoed unless lack of doing so involves a monetary loss. Likewise, it is permitted to move from a home which one does not own into a home which one owns. Moving merchandise: One is to only […]

Walking past the Techum: It is permitted without restriction to walk or travel past the Techum during Chol Hamoed. Bookmark

Fixing items during Chol Hamoed: The general rule: In general, it is forbidden to fix items in a professional way during Chol Hamoed. This applies even if it is needed for the sake of the Moed.  However, it is permitted to perform amateur fixing jobs on Chol Hamoed if it […]

Tearing: 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. The item is not attached to the ground, The item is a […]

Gardening: Watering plants on Chol Hamoed: It is permitted to water plants on Chol Hamoed for purposes of damage prevention, such as to prevent the plants from withering. It is, however, forbidden to water plants if there will be no loss or damage involved with the plant, if one were […]

Car/Driving: Driving on Chol Hamoed: It is permitted to drive on Chol Hamoed whether it is for the need of the Moed, or simply for the sake of a trip or outing. [If, however, it is not for the need of the Moed, and is not for the sake of […]

Preparing food/Cooking: May one cook or bake food for after the Moed? It is forbidden to cook or bake food during Chol Hamoed for the sake of eating after the Moed. May one cook or bake food on Chol Hameod for the sake of Shabbos which falls after the last […]

The prohibition of Melacha on Chol Hamoed:[1] Is the prohibition against performing Melacha on Chol Hamoed Biblical or Rabbinical? It is disputed amongst Poskim whether the prohibition of doing Melacha on Chol Hamoed is of Biblical or Rabbinical origin. Some Poskim[2] rule it is Biblically forbidden. Other Poskim[3] rule it […]

The importance of guarding the Moed: The Sages stated that one who belittles the Moed does not have a portion in the world to come and it is considered as if he has served idols. Hence, one must be very careful in the laws of the Moed, even though they […]

The purpose of Chol Hamoed: Torah learning: The entire purpose of Chol Hamoed is for the sake of the Jewish people dedicating themselves towards Torah learning. Throughout the year we are involved in mundane work in efforts to sustain our family and contribute to society. The week of Chol Hamoed […]