Holidays
Is Exercise Permitted During Chol HaMoed?
Question
Hello! I have a few questions about the prohibited labor of Chol HaMoed:
A. Is it permitted to do physical exercise? (A sports class from the internet, and the like)
B. I use software on my computer to arrange family photo albums. Is that permitted during Chol HaMoed?
C. Is it permitted to watch a language-learning lesson on a computer that does not include writing? (Or to watch a simple video in that same language for the purpose of hearing it?)
Thank you very much, and good week!
Answer
Festivals for joy,
A. It is permitted to do physical exercise during Chol HaMoed (see Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah, part 2, chapter 66, section 20). However, one should be careful not to do too much, so as not to turn the festival into an ordinary weekday. As the Mishnah Berurah wrote (siman 530, seif katan 2), citing the Kol Bo, Hashem's intent in giving the festival was that a person attach himself to His fear and love and engage in His perfect Torah.
B. This should be postponed until after the festival.
C. It is permitted.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
