Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach - Shopping For A Pesach Dress On Chol HaMoed
V'Samachta B'Chagecha is the mitzva to buy your wife a nice article of clothing or jewlery for Yom Tov. A young man once came to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and explained to him that his wife was under too much pressure before Pesach to go shopping. Would it be possible, he wanted to know, if she could go shopping for an outfit on Chol HaMo'ed and wear it for the last days of Pesach. This way, he explained, she would also enjoy the shopping experience on Chol HaMo'ed.
Rav Shlomo Zalman answered that if she has no Menuchas HaDaas or peace of mind before Yom Tov, she may go shopping on Chol HaMo'ed but only B'Tzina and not publicly. Although it is assur to leave your Milacha for the quieter days of Chol HaMo'ed, shopping said Rav Shlomo Zalman is not considered Milacha.
The author of Aleihu Lo Yibol (OC 296) says however that it appeared to him that Rav Shlomo Zalman thought this was a very strange case and not exactly normal.
Important Note: We bring this tshuvah as a starting point for discussion and not to convey any halacha. We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. One should learn the tshuva to verify the accuracy of our interpretation. Please understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
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