1. Question: [Tuesday, 30^th Tishreiy 5783]

My school uniform skirt is torn and I do not have another one to wear. May I sew it on Rosh Chodesh so I can wear it today?

Answer:

You may sew it with a Shinuiy, irregularity, such as sewing with wider stitches.

Explanation: The custom is to avoid all clothing related work on Rosh Chodesh, including sewing, unless you have a specific custom in your family to permit doing so. Nonetheless, certainly the abstaining from work on Rosh Chodesh should not be more severe than Chol Hamoed, and even on Chol Hamoed one may sew with a Shinuiy, and hence the same applies to Rosh Chodesh.

Sources: See regarding women not doing work on Rosh Chodesh: Michaber and Rama 417:1; Shabbos 24a; Erechin 10b; Chagiga 18; Moed Katan 18a; Yerushalmi Taanis 1:6; M”A 417:3 that “one may not be lenient with them at all”; Biur Halacha 417 “Vahanashim Nohagos”;  See regarding women not sewing on Rosh Chodesh: Tashbatz 3:244 brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 417 regarding weaving; Sheivet Halevy 6:50 in name of Daas Torah that so is the custom today regarding all forms of sewing, including mending clothing that require fixing;; Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is permitted for a woman to sew on Rosh Chodesh and the prohibition is only against weaving clothing. [Tashbatz 3:244; Shaareiy Teshuvah 417] The Machazik Bracha 417:2 concludes that each woman is to follow her custom, and so also brings Kaf Hachaim 417:30; See regarding allowance to do all Melacha permitted on Chol Hamoed: Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 417; Halichos Bas Yisrael 15 footnote 4; See regarding sewing on Chol Hamoed: Michaber and Rama 541:5; Moed Katan 8b; Makor Chaim 541:4; Beir Moshe 7:89; SSH”K 66:51; Chol Hamoed Kehilchaso 8:82; Piskeiy Teshuvos 542:5