chol hamoed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowformal, religious
Quick answer
What does “chol hamoed” mean?
The intermediate days of the Jewish festivals of Passover and Sukkot, on which work is permitted but with restrictions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The intermediate days of the Jewish festivals of Passover and Sukkot, on which work is permitted but with restrictions.
A period of diminished sanctity within a larger holy time, allowing some normal activities to resume while maintaining a festive atmosphere.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is identical and confined to Jewish religious communities in both regions.
Connotations
Primarily religious and cultural, with no regional variation in connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside Jewish religious texts, communities, or contexts discussing Jewish holidays.
Grammar
How to Use “chol hamoed” in a Sentence
[The] chol hamoed [of Passover/Sukkot] + verbVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chol hamoed” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chol hamoed regulations were explained by the rabbi.
- They organised a chol hamoed outing for the community.
American English
- The chol hamoed rules allow for certain types of work.
- They planned a chol hamoed trip to the museum.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used only in contexts discussing work schedules or closures for Jewish employees during the holiday period.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, or Jewish history texts discussing halakha (Jewish law) and holiday observance.
Everyday
Used within Jewish communities when planning activities, travel, or work during Passover or Sukkot.
Technical
Used in rabbinic literature and halakhic responsa to discuss specific legal permissions and restrictions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chol hamoed”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chol hamoed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chol hamoed”
- Incorrect spelling: 'chol ha'moed', 'chol hamoid', 'chol hamoyed'.
- Using it as a plural without context (e.g., 'the chol hamoed are...').
- Applying it to non-Jewish holidays.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, work is permitted but with restrictions. Typically, unnecessary or strenuous work is prohibited, while essential work or work suffering significant loss if delayed may be allowed.
No. Chol hamoed applies only to Passover (Pesach) and Sukkot, which are week-long festivals with intervening non-sacred days. Shavuot and Purim are one-day holidays.
The 'ch' is a voiceless velar fricative (like in Scottish 'loch' or German 'Bach'). British pronunciation: /ˌxɒl həˈməʊɛd/. American: /ˌxoʊl həˈmoʊɛd/.
Yes, it is typically used with the definite article (e.g., 'during the chol hamoed'), as it refers to a specific, known period within a festival.
The intermediate days of the Jewish festivals of Passover and Sukkot, on which work is permitted but with restrictions.
Chol hamoed is usually formal, religious in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHOL' sounds like 'call'—you can 'call' your office on these days (for limited work). 'HAMOED' sounds like 'holiday'—it's still part of the holiday.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE (between total sanctity and normalcy); A VALVE (regulating the flow of ordinary life into sacred time).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'chol hamoed' specifically refer to?