Drying wet clothing on Chol HaMoed

Question

I was unfortunately caught in the rain during Chol HaMoed, and all of my clothing became wet. I was wondering whether it is permitted to hang the clothing outside to dry once the sun comes out, or alternatively, to place them in a dryer during Chol HaMoed.

Answer

Both options are permitted. One may either place the clothing in a dryer or hang them up to dry. Nevertheless, according to some halachic opinions, it is preferable to dry the clothing in a dryer rather than hanging them outdoors, due to concerns of mar’it ayin. If using a dryer is difficult or impractical, one may even initially hang the clothing to dry.

Explanation

The Talmud and the Poskim explicitly prohibit laundering clothing on Chol HaMoed, except in the specific cases enumerated by the Sages. However, the act of drying clothing is not included in the prohibition of laundering, as drying is considered a separate activity from washing.

This distinction is also reflected in the laws of Shabbos. On Shabbos, laundering is a biblical prohibition under the category of melaben (laundering) and sechitah (squeezing). Drying, however, is not intrinsically prohibited. Rather, the Sages forbade hanging wet clothing to dry on Shabbos due to mar’it ayin, lest one suspect that the clothing had been laundered on Shabbos.

The question, therefore, is whether this concern of mar’it ayin applies equally to Chol HaMoed. The Alter Rebbe and other Poskim explain that the rabbinic prohibition of mar’it ayin in this context was not extended to Chol HaMoed. We do not find any source that prohibits drying clothing on Chol HaMoed due to mar’it ayin. Accordingly, drying clothing—whether naturally or mechanically—is permitted.

Nonetheless, some Poskim maintain that public drying may still raise concerns of mar’it ayin, even on Chol HaMoed. According to this view, it is preferable to dry clothing in a dryer, where the process is done inconspicuously, rather than hanging clothing outdoors in a visible manner.

In practice, however, if using a dryer is inconvenient or unavailable, one may rely on the primary opinion and hang the clothing to dry, even initially.

Sources

Admur 252:13 that Maras Ayin is permitted on Chol Hamoed; Emek Halacha 146 based on Sukkah 10b; Chut Shani 16:4; Minchas Efraim 123; Piskeiy Teshuvos 534:6 footnote 37; SSH”K 66:69; Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 5:34; Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso 14:20

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it ius forbidden to dry clothing in view of the public on Chol Hamoed. [Shevet Halevi 5:42]