Each night of Chol Hamoied, one should take part in Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations. These should be enhanced with music.
On Sunday, one recites the Hosha’anos for both the third and fourth days, but only circles for the fourth day.
During Chol Hamoied, one replaces the Hadassim and Aravos as necessary.
One should be aware of the state of his Aravos. If most leaves fall off the top three Tefachim (24cm), the Aravah needs to be replaced. [It often happens that the leaves have already fallen off and are just being held in place by the Lulav rings.] A leaf is considered intact even if only its majority is intact.
The Aravos are still acceptable if the leaves have turned a darker colour.
When new Aravos are necessary, they should not be inserted into the Lulav without loosening the rings first, as this will likely cause the Aravah leaves to become detached.
On Chol Hamoied:
- One wears Shabbos clothing.
- One washes for bread, eats meat and drinks (a revi’is of) wine every day.
- One allocates more time for learning.
In association with Yom Tov, the Rebbe urged all to participate in a Kinus Torah.
Many activities are prohibited during Chol Hamoied, including (but not limited to) business activity, trade, moving homes, gardening, sewing, laundering (unless for children who soil their clothing frequently, but only as required), preparing food for after Yom Tov, cutting nails (unless it was done on Erev Sukkos as well) and taking haircuts. One may not instruct a non-Jew to perform these activities for him either.
For the sake of Chol Hamoied or the last days of Yom Tov, one may professionally repair any item which is directly involved in food preparation (e.g. oven or fridge), or which provides direct benefit to the body (e.g. the plumbing, electricity or air-conditioning), provided that it wasn’t practical to fix prior to Yom Tov (e.g. it broke on Yom Tov).
One should avoid writing. If it cannot be deferred until after Chol Hamoied, one should write with a Shinui. However, calligraphy and artistic drawing or painting is prohibited.
Unless needed for Yom Tov, one should not shop for utensils, appliances or clothing. [One may be lenient if the item is significantly discounted and it cannot be purchased later for a similar price.]
If an employee’s job involves activities that are not performed on Chol Hamoied, he should arrange to take leave, unless his absence will jeopardise his employment.
Routine medical exams that can easily wait should not be scheduled for Chol Hamoied.
One who goes fruit-picking or fishing on Chol Hamoied may only collect that which will be used during the remainder of Chol Hamoied or on the last days of Yom Tov.
See separate Halacha Guide for laws and customs of Hoshanah Rabbah, Shmini Atzeres, Simchas Torah and Shabbos Breishis.
