Community Magazine April 2012

1 IS IT PERMITTED TO WORK ON HOL HAMO’ED? Hol Hamo’ed has characteristics of both the holiday, on which it is forbidden to do work, and of a regular weekday. In order to preserve the feeling of the holiday, work on hol hamo’ed is forbidden unless it falls into one of the following chategories. • Melechet ledavar h’aved – preventing a monetary loss. • Sorech ochel nefesh – work needed to prepare food and other necessities. • Sorech hamo’ed – work needed for the holiday itself. • Sorech rabim–tending to public needs. • Sorech hamocher she’en lo mah yochel– work to earn money for food to eat during hol hamo’ed. Thus, for example, people who would risk losing their job if they would not work on hol hamo’ed may go to work. One who is self employed should not work unless it is necessary to prevent a monetary loss. Even if one needs to work, he should attempt to limit work hours to give honor to the holiday (Hol Hamo’ed, Artscroll, Rabbi Dovid Zucker and Rabbi Moshe Francis, pp. 23-24). 2 WHAT LIMITATIONS APPLY WHEN WORK IS PERMITTED? Even when one is allowed to work on hol hamo’ed, there are restrictions as to the type of manner in which work can be performed. These restrictions include: Degree of skill: Professional work requiring a craftsman is restricted, whereas simple labor is permitted. Amount of exertion: Strenuous tasks that need major exertion are prohibited, as they inhibit simhat yom tov (joy of the holiday). Timing: It is forbidden to deliberately schedule work for hol hamo’ed. Location: Commercial trade, even when permitted, should be conducted discreetly to preserve the sanctity of the holiday (ibid, pg. 24). 3 MAY ONE FIX THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE ON HOL HAMO’ED? Certain activities are prohibited because it constitutes a degradation of the festival, such as home improvements that are not being done specifically for the holiday. However, if, for example, a door broke right before or on the holiday, and it is needed to be fixed for use on the holiday, it may be fixed. Hol hamo’ed is not a time to catch up on home improvement projects things that have piling up for a while. 4 MAY ONE WRITE ON HOL HAMO’ED? Writing is generally prohibited on hol hamo’ed (Shulhan Aruch, Orah Hayim 545; 1). However, non-professional writing is permitted in the following instances: •For community needs, even those that pertain only after the festivals (recording contributions, writing a sedaka check, issuing receipts of such transactions). •Festival needs (shopping list, signing a check/credit card when necessary), or enhancing the enjoyment of the festival (coloring for children, keeping score of a game, write social letters). Many commentaries hold that this should be done with a shinui (deviation), such as writing at least the first line on a slant (Magen Avraham). •To avoid a loss (recording sales or checks that would otherwise be forgotten, or that are needed to avoid a shortfall, taking a written exam if failure to do so will jeopardize the grade, writing down Torah thoughts so as not to forget it or to enhance understanding and concentration). 5 MAY ONE USE A COMPUTER (EMAILING, PRINTING, ETC.) ON HOL HAMO’ED? Inputting data into a computer where the letters appear only on the screen is not considered a melacha, according to many authorities (including Rabbi Yosef Sholom Elyashiv). Saving information on a hard drive, USB drive, floppy disk or CD is permitted according to many opinions (Rav Moshe Feinstein, Piskei Halachot, letter32). Some authorities prohibit the saving of information except for the needs of the festival or to avoid a loss (Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah, chapter 66, footnote 210). Emails, faxes and text messages may be sent on hol hamo’ed. Many authorities consider printing from a computer ma’ase hedyot (unskilledwork) which is permitted for festivals needs (RabbiMoshe Feinstein). Others (Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetzsky), however, classify printing as ma’ase uman (skilled work), which is permitted only in instances where skilled work is allowed (to avoid a financial loss). This applies also to making photocopies and faxing documents. 6 IS SEWING A RIPPED GARMENT ALLOWED ON HOL HAMO’ED? I f the garment is needed for the holiday, it may be sewn in a non- professionalmanner. If the onlyperson that can sewit is a professional Jewish tailor, he/she should sew it with a shinui (deviation), in a non-professional manner, by making uneven stitches. Clothing that is not needed for the holiday may not be sewn on hol hamo’ed. RABBI DANIEL D. LEVY The Top 10 Questions & Answers on Customs and Laws oF D dicated oving emo y Hac a N i Ma a .. & Hol Hamo'ed 48 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE