Melacha on Rosh Chodesh

[1] 417/1

[2] Michaber ibid; Shabbos 24a; Erechin 10b; Chagiga 18

[3] Michaber 417/1; Yerushalmi Taanis

The reason: The reason why specifically women refrain from doing work on Rosh Chodesh is because the women did not want to participate in the sin of the golden calf and hence abstained from giving their jewelry to their husbands. For this reason Hashem gave them this festival of Rosh Chodesh as a reward, that they would guard it more than the men. [Pirkei Derebbe Eliezer 44; Tur 417; M”A 417/2; Taz 417/1; M”B 417/3] Some explain that the three festivals correspond to the three forefathers while the 12 months correspond to the 12 tribes and when the 12 tribes sinned by the golden calf the Holiday was taken away from them and given to their wives. [Tur ibid in name of his brother Reb Yehuda] Alternatively the reason is because women have a similarity to the moon, as just like they immerse and return to their husband monthly, so too the moon is renewed monthly. [Or Zarua; Darkei Moshe 417/1] Alternatively the reason is because women are rooted in Malchus which has an elevation on Rosh Chodesh. [Shaar Hakavanos p. 76; Kaf Hachaim 417/27]

[4] M”A 417/3 that “one may not be lenient with them at all”; Biur Halacha 417 ”Vahanashim Nohagos”; Seemingly this would apply even according to the Michaber who merely claims it is a “good custom” and not an obligation, as once they accepted this good custom upon themselves it now has the status of a vow.

[5] Biur Halacha 417 ”Vahanashim Nohagos” based on many Rishonim [Shibuley Haleket; Oar Zarua; Rokeiach; Eshkol; Abudarham]

The reason: As to whether all women must accept the custom to refrain from work on Rosh Chodesh, from the Michaber it is clearly implied that only if one already has accepted this custom are they to continue, however there is no obligation to do so, and certainly one who has never accepted this custom has no obligation to now accept it upon themselves. However the Biur Halacha ibid brings a list of Rishonim that imply this is an aged old custom of women, and hence each woman today is obligated in following the aged old custom just like any other Minhag Yisrael.

rule the concludes that all women must at least keep the custom to refrain from some types of works. While one who was accustomed from young to refrain from all types of works must keep to their custom

Other opinions: As to whether all women must accept the custom to refrain from work on Rosh Chodesh, from the Michaber it is clearly implied that only if one already has accepted this custom are they to continue, however there is no obligation to do so, and certainly one who has never accepted this custom has no obligation to now accept it upon themselves.

[6] Rama ibid

[7] Sheivet Halevy 6/50 in name of Daas Torah that so is the custom today

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is permitted for a woman  to sew on Rosh Chodesh and the prohibition is only to weave clothing. [Tashbatz 3/244; Shaareiy Teshuvah 417]

[8] For example it is forbidden for a woman  to weave clothing. [Tashbatz 3/244; Shaareiy Teshuvah 417]

[9] Oar Letziyon 3/1-1

[10] Or Letziyon 3/1-1

[11] The reason: As the custom was only to refrain from doing actual labor, while simply pressing a button does not involve any real work. [ibid]

[12] Heard from Rav Asher Lemel Hakohen

[13] Poskim of today mentioned in the footnotes in Mishneh Berurah Oaz Vihadar 417; Heard from Rav Asher Lemel Hakohen

[14] The reason: As it does not involve any actual laundering on the woman’s part.

[15] Mishneh Berurah Oaz Vehadar in name of Rav Nissim Gerelitz

[16] Oar Letziyon 3/1-1