Siman 530 – General rules

וChelek 6

1. There are 5 categories of melachos that are allowed on Chol Hamoed:
   1. Financial loss if not done.
   2. Ochel Nefesh – even professional jobs.
   3. Tzorchay Moed – only amateur jobs.
   4. A poor worker with nothing to eat.
   5. Public needs – Be careful not to be lenient beyond what Chazal allowed. (MB 1)

2. The Rishonim dispute – is melacha forbidden on Chol Hamoed mid’oraisa or mid’rabbonon. Even though the Shulchan Aruch takes on that it is mid’rabbonon – do not be quick to be lenient in a case of sofek melacha except in great need. (BeH “umutar”)

3. You need to honor Chol Hamoed with clean clothes and special food and drinks. The Maharil would don a Shabbos garment. Also, there is a mitzva of simcha on Chol Hamoed. (MB 1)

4. It is forbidden to fast on Chol Hamoed. L’chatchila you should have a bread meal once by night and once by day. However, since bread is not an obligation as it is on Yom Tov – do not repeat Birkas Hamazon if you forgot Ya’aleh V’yavoh. (MB 1 – ShaH 4)

5. The reason why it is forbidden to do melacha on Chol Hamoed is so we should spend our time eating and drinking and delving into the Torah – thereby cleaving to His fear and love. If this leisure time is spent fooling around instead, it is worse than doing melacha. (MB 2) #