The intermediate days of the Passover and Sukkot festivals. Unlike the first and last days of the festivals themselves, when all work save the kinds related to the preparation of food is forbidden, it is generally permitted to perform such work on ḥol ha-mo'ed, with certain limitations. In Israel, ḥol ha-mo'ed lasts five days during Passover and six days during Sukkot, whereas in the Diaspora the numbers are four and five days, respectively (because of the observance of Second Days of Festivals in the Diaspora).
The phrase ḥol ha-mo'ed, translated literally, means "the weekdays of the festival," thus indicating a combination of the ordinary weekday and the festival. While various activities, such as lighting a fire, driving, cutting, etc., are permissible, it is forbidden to perform any such action for money. On the other hand, it is permissible to perform such actions to prevent a loss; for example, watering plants in a nursery. Many rabbinic authorities forbid writing on ḥol ha-mo'ed except to avoid a monetary loss. Even when one does write or performs another such action to prevent a monetary loss, it must be in a manner different from the usual.
Praying with Tefillin on ḥol ha-mo'ed is a matter of Custom. In the Ashkenazi community outside Israel, it is customary to put on the tefillin without reciting the usual blessing and to wear them until the cantor's repetition of the Amidah prayer, during which time they are removed. The custom of Sephardim, Ḥasidim, and Ashkenazi Jews living in Israel is not to put on tefillin at all during ḥol ha-mo'ed. It is generally forbidden to shave or take a haircut on ḥol ha-mo'ed, although there have been recent rulings permitting a person who shaves on a regular basis throughout the year to do so on ḥol ha-mo'ed as well.
During the Amidah prayer and in Grace After Meals, a special passage, Ya'Aleh Ve-Yavo, is added. In the Morning Service, full Hallel is recited during Sukkot, but only "half-Hallel" during Passover. Hallel is followed by a Reading of the Law each day and by the distinctive Musaf (Additional Service) for the festival. Weddings may not be held during ḥol ha-mo'ed, because of the prohibition against celebrating two joyful occasions simultaneously, the joy of the festival and the joy of the wedding. One does not sit Shivah in Mourning on ḥol ha-mo'ed, nor are eulogies delivered during that time. In Israel, the days of ḥol ha-mo'ed are generally treated as "half-festivals" and stores and government offices are open only in the morning hours.
A tractate of the Talmud, Mo'Ed Katan (lit. "minor festival"), is devoted to the laws of ḥol ha-mo'ed (see also Festivals).
