Devar/5768/Kedoshim
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The "Shulchan Aruch" (standard code of Jewish law), "Orach Hayim", section 31, paragraph 1: On Shabbat and Yom-Tov it is prohibited to put on tefillin, because they themselves (shabbat and yom-tov) are a sign, and if one were to put on another 'sign' during them, it would be demeaning to their sign. And in paragraph 2: On chol-hamoed (the intermediate days of the festival), it is likewise prohibited to put on tefillin from this reason, since the days of chol-hamoed are also a sign. And there, the Rama states: And there are those who say that it is required to put on tefillin on chol-hamoed, and that is what we do in all our exiles (e.g. in Europe), we put them on during the moed and bless on them -- but we don't bless out loud in the synagogue as we do on the other days of the year.
The Rambam only says: And so too, Shabbat and Yom-Tov are not times for tefillin, as the verse states: "They shall be a sign for you" (see Exodus 13:9), and Shabbat and Yom-Tov are themselves a sign. (Laws of Tefillin 4:10). And he doesn't mention chol-hamoed at all. From this alone, it is hard to know what he says concerning putting on tefillin during chol-hamoed -- and particularly since in the Laws of Resting on Yom-Tov, he goes on at length regarding the prohibitions of chol-hamoed, and it seems that it is close to Yom-Tov. Indeed, many have ruled that one may not put on tefillin on chol-hamoed.
However, it's written: And it is prohibited to write on moed, even Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzot. And we don't check even one letter in the Torah scroll in the Temple, because that is an activity which is not required for the moed. However, one may write tefillin and mezuzot for oneself, and spin the techelet threads for his garment. (Laws of Resting on Yom-Tov 7:12). That is to say, it is prohibited to write tefillin in order to make money (because one must not work on chol-hamoed except if absolutely necessary), but for himself -- for his own use! -- it is permitted. And this law is from the Mishna: Moed Katan, 3:4.
Therefore it is clear that it is permitted to put on tefillin on hol-hamoed -- and if it is "permitted", it is required as on every other day when it is "permitted". And if it is required, one must bless in the normal manner one always does, and not quietly.
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