The major holidays are bookends, but what about the days in the middle? Can you run errands? Do laundry? Go to work?
Well, Rabbi Yishmael kicks off our exploration with a surprising statement: "We did not learn that work is forbidden on the intermediate days of a festival." So, where DO we get that idea?
The answer, as often happens in Jewish law, comes from a close reading of the Torah. In this case, the verse in Deuteronomy (Devarim) says, "Six days shall you eat matzot and on the seventh day is a holding back." That phrase, "a holding back," is key. The Sages asked: what does it mean to "hold back?"
The Sages made an analogy: "Just as the seventh day is 'held back,' so the six days are 'held back.'" Okay, but what does "held back" mean, exactly? It could mean holding back from all work. But if that were the case, Chol HaMoed would be just as restrictive as the first and last days of the festival!
So, they dug deeper. The verse continues, "Six days shall you eat matzot and on the seventh day is a holding back for the L-rd your G-d. You shall do no work" (Deut. 16:8). Aha! That seventh day – the last day of Passover – is held back from all work. But what about the six days in between?
This is where it gets really interesting. The Sages concluded that the Torah intentionally left it up to them to determine which types of work are permitted and which are forbidden during Chol HaMoed. It's not a blanket prohibition, but a nuanced understanding based on tradition, necessity, and the spirit of the holiday. : this interpretation empowers the Sages to apply the Torah's teachings to the ever-changing realities of life. It's a beautiful example of how Jewish law isn't just about following rules, but about engaging in a continuous conversation with tradition.
So, the next time you're navigating the in-between days of a festival, remember this ancient debate. Remember that the decisions about what is and isn't permissible are rooted in careful interpretation, a desire to honor the holiday, and a recognition that life doesn't always fit neatly into boxes. And perhaps, most importantly, remember that we're all part of a living, breathing tradition that continues to evolve with each generation.