hol hamoed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “hol hamoed” mean?
The intermediate days of a Jewish holiday.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The intermediate days of a Jewish holiday.
The days between the first and last days of the Jewish holidays of Passover (Pesach) and Sukkot, during which certain work restrictions are relaxed but the festive character of the holiday is maintained.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences. Used identically in both UK and US English contexts, predominantly within Jewish communities.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of semi-festive time with specific religious rules.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency outside Jewish religious, cultural, or academic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “hol hamoed” in a Sentence
Hol Hamoed of [Passover/Sukkot]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hol hamoed” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Hol Hamoed regulations are complex.
- We planned a Hol Hamoed excursion.
American English
- The Hol Hamoed guidelines were reviewed.
- They enjoyed a Hol Hamoed day trip.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, or Jewish history texts.
Everyday
Used within observant Jewish communities when discussing holiday plans.
Technical
Used in Halakhic (Jewish legal) discussions regarding permitted and prohibited activities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hol hamoed”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hol hamoed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hol hamoed”
- Writing as 'chol ha'moed' in formal English contexts.
- Using it without capitalisation.
- Applying it to non-Jewish holidays.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a semi-festive period with relaxed restrictions compared to the first and last days of the festival.
Work is generally prohibited unless it prevents a significant financial loss (davar ha-aved) or is for a public need (tzorech hamoed).
In English, it is commonly pronounced 'HOLE ha-MO-ed' or 'HOL ha-MO-ed', with the stress on the last syllable of 'moed'.
Very rarely. It is almost exclusively used within discussions of Jewish law, culture, and community planning.
The intermediate days of a Jewish holiday.
Hol hamoed is usually specialist in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HOLiday' in the MIDdle: HOL Hamoed.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE between sacred and ordinary time.
Practice
Quiz
To which holidays does 'Hol Hamoed' specifically refer?