Can You Do Laundry on Chol HaMoed? 2 Halachot to Know

Chol HaMoed is here, bringing with it the joy of Sukkot along with several important halachot that differ from both ordinary weekdays and Yom Tov. What kinds of work are permitted? Can you do laundry? Here are two practical halachot to know during these special days.

Two daily halachot from the book BaHalacha U'VeAggadah, based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory.

What Is Chol HaMoed, and Which Types of Work Are Permitted?

The intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot are known as Chol HaMoed. It is a mitzvah to devote additional time to Torah study during these days, and certain types of work are prohibited.

The accepted custom is not to put on tefillin during Chol HaMoed.

Ordinary writing, when one is not particular about making the writing especially precise or attractive, may be permitted when needed for the holiday. Writing on a computer for a holiday need is also permitted. Young children may draw and color.

It is permitted, and a mitzvah, to write down Torah insights that arise during the holiday, whether by hand or on a computer.

When Can You Do Laundry During Chol HaMoed?

In general, laundering clothing is prohibited during Chol HaMoed, even when the clothing is needed for the holiday. There are, however, several exceptions.

Someone who has only one garment may wash it. Hand towels and bath towels, which regularly become soiled through use, may also be washed.

Children's clothing may be washed because children frequently soil their clothes, provided the laundry is needed during the holiday. Adult clothing should not be added to the washing machine along with the children's laundry.

Socks, undergarments, and shirts that are changed daily may be washed in a washing machine if a person has no clean ones remaining.

If a garment becomes stained, the stain may be cleaned using cleaning products.

The Daily Mitzvah: Taking the Four Species

One of the central mitzvot of Sukkot is taking the Four Species: the etrog, lulav, hadas, and aravah.

Our sages teach that each of the Four Species can symbolize a different type of Jew.

The etrog has both taste and fragrance, representing someone who possesses both Torah learning and good deeds.

The lulav, from the date palm, has taste but no fragrance, representing someone who possesses Torah learning but lacks good deeds.

The hadas, or myrtle, has fragrance but no taste, representing someone who performs good deeds but lacks Torah learning.

The aravah, or willow, has neither taste nor fragrance, representing someone who possesses neither Torah learning nor good deeds.

Yet all four are brought together to perform the mitzvah. Their unity symbolizes the wholeness of the Jewish people: every Jew has a place, and together we form one nation.

How Do You Take the Four Species?

Hold the lulav bundle, containing the lulav, hadassim, and aravot, in your right hand and the etrog in your left.

Recite the blessing: “Who has sanctified us with His mitzvot and commanded us concerning the taking of the lulav.” On the first day of Sukkot, Shehecheyanu is also recited.

The Four Species are waved in six directions: toward the four directions, upward, and downward, expressing Hashem's sovereignty over the entire world.