Is it permitted to buy clothes during Chol Hamoed Pesach?

Greetings,

1. It is permitted to buy new clothes during Chol Hamoed Pesach if they are for use during Pesach (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 546, Seif 3, and Siman 567, Seif 11).

This allowance applies even to those who are strict not to wear new clothes during the Counting of the Omer (although the Counting of the Omer has already begun), since honoring Chol Hamoed is preferable. This is also written in responsa Tzitz Eliezer, part 18, Siman 41, section a, and is the view of the Ben Ish Chai, zt"l, in his book Orach Chaim on the Haggadah of Pesach, Laws of the Counting of the Omer, section 28.

Nevertheless, one should make an effort to purchase clothes before the holiday that do not appear to be for the holiday (see Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata, part 2, chapter 67, Seif 26, and see also Chazon Ovadia, Yom Tov, page 165, Seif 30).

2. It is not permitted to buy clothes during Chol Hamoed Pesach that are not for the sake of the holiday. However, if the clothes are being sold at a discount and there is a chance they will not be available at such a low price after Chol Hamoed, it is permitted (Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt"l, cited in the book Zikharon Mevakshei Torah, part 2, Siman 114, Seif 38).

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs