Chol HaMoed Laws Guide: Work, Clothing, Music, and Daily Halacha

The days between the first and seventh days of Sukkot, and likewise the days between the first and seventh days of Passover, are called Chol HaMoed. 

Wearing Clothing

• One should wear festive clothing during Chol HaMoed.

Gifts

• One should buy holiday gifts for one’s wife and children.

Tefillin

• Tefillin are not worn on Chol HaMoed.

Going Up to Jerusalem

• It is a mitzvah to go up to Jerusalem and to the Kotel, even in our times.

Work on Chol HaMoed

• Work on Chol HaMoed that is not needed for the festival is forbidden rabbinically, and some consider it forbidden by Torah law.

• Work done for the needs of the festival is permitted.

• Any work that prevents a loss is permitted even if it is not for the direct needs of the festival, such as public needs, mail, banks, food stores, and similar services.

• If there is concern that taking vacation during Chol HaMoed could cause a person to be fired, that is considered preventing a loss, and it is permitted to work.

• The general rule is: wherever there is financial loss or a matter that would be lost, the work is permitted on Chol HaMoed.

• Business dealings that are not for the needs of the festival are forbidden, both buying and selling. However, in a case of potential loss it is permitted, for example if the price of a product will rise or it will no longer be available.

• If someone’s glasses break during Chol HaMoed, they may be repaired by a professional optometrist.

Car Repairs

• It is forbidden to repair a car on Chol HaMoed unless the repair is not considered professional skilled labor.

Writing

• Writing is forbidden on Chol HaMoed.

• Writing that prevents loss is permitted, such as Torah insights or work-related matters.

• Printing books is forbidden on Chol HaMoed.

Haircuts and Shaving

• It is a mitzvah to get a haircut and shave before the holiday.

• It is forbidden to get a haircut or shave during Chol HaMoed.

• It is permitted to trim moustache hairs or nose hairs if they interfere with eating.

• A mourner for a father or mother whose thirty days of mourning ended during Chol HaMoed, and who is rebuked for appearing unkempt, may get a haircut during Chol HaMoed.

Cleaning the Home

• It is permitted to wash the floors of the home.

Polishing Shoes

• It is permitted to polish shoes.

Ironing

• It is permitted to iron clothing.

Cutting Nails

• It is permitted to cut nails.

Laundry

• It is forbidden to wash clothes during Chol HaMoed even for festival needs, unless one has no clean clothes at all and they are needed for the festival.

• Therefore, if all washed clothing, socks, and similar items have already been used and there is nothing left to wear, it is permitted to do laundry during Chol HaMoed.

Music, Playing Instruments, and Photography

• It is permitted to play music during Chol HaMoed.

• It is permitted to record audio or video, and it is permitted to take photos.

Weddings

• One does not get married during Chol HaMoed.

Note

On Chol HaMoed we add Ya’aleh VeYavo in Birkat Hamazon and in the Amidah. Also, we recite Hallel during Chol HaMoed. On Chol HaMoed Passover and on the seventh day of Passover, Hallel is recited in a shortened form.