From the Rav’s Desk: Ironing during Chol Hamoed

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Question: [Wednesday, 18th Nissan, 5781]

Is it permitted for one to iron clothing during Chol Hamoed?

Answer:

Yes. Many Poskim rule that it is permitted for one to iron clothing on Chol Hamoed [for the sake of Chol Hamoed or Yom Tov]. However, some Poskim rule that the custom is to avoid doing so, as perhaps the form of ironing which was allowed to be done is a very light form. Practcially, one who does not have a custom to be stringent may be lenient to do so.

 

Sources: See Rama 541:3 regarding a glass iron; M”B 541:9 in name of Chayeh Adam regarding all irons, even of metal; Kaf Hachaim 543:11; Aruch Hashulchan 541:2 [Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol from 534:7 where he seemingly contradicts himself and rules that ironing is forbidden.]; Piskeiy Teshuvos 541; English book on Chol Hamoed; Chol Hamoed Kihilchasa all rule it is permitted. Beir Moshe 7:89 rules that the custom is to avoid doing so, and those from Hungarian descent may not be lenient.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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