1)

(a)The Mishnah - permits someone who arrives from overseas on Chol ha'Mo'ed and who was not able to have a haircut earlier (See Tos. Yom-Tov), to do so on Chol ha'Mo'ed (See Tos. Yom-Tov DH 've'Eilu') ...

(b)... provided his trip overseas was for business or for something that was necessary (not just a holiday).

(c)The Tana incorporates in the current list - a captive who has been set free and a prisoner who has been released from jail.

(d)The latter applies even if he was imprisoned by Yisre'eilim (who permitted him to shave in jail) - because he understandably felt too sad to shave whilst in prison.

2)

(a)Among the others included in the list are a Menudeh whose Niduy (a mild form of Cherem) the Chachamim rescinded and someone who was Matir his Neder not to shave - since a Menudeh is forbidden to shave.

(b)We do not forbid the latter on the grounds that he should have been Matir his Neder before Yom-Tov - because it speaks where either he could not find a Chacham to be Matir it then or he was unable to find a Pesach (a valid reason) for the Chacham to be Matir it.

(c)The last two items on the list are a Nazir and a Metzora ha'Oleh mi'Tum'aso le'Taharaso (See Tos. Yom-Tov). The former is permitted - provided his term of Nezirus terminates on Chol ha'Mo'ed.

(d)When the Tana says 'Metzora ha'Oleh mi'Tum'aso le'Taharaso', he means - that the seventh day (on which the Metzora is obligated to shave off all his hair) falls on Chol-ha'Mo'ed.

(e)He does not contend with the hair that the Metzora must shave around the Nesek before the seven days of quarantine - because that shaving is negligible (and presumably permitted in any case).

3)

(a)The Chachamim forbade all those not listed in the Mishnah to have a haircut on Chol ha'Mo'ed (See Tos. Yom-Tov DH 've'Eilu') - because otherwise, people would probably wait for Chol ha'Mo'ed to have do so, and enter Yom-Tov unkempt.

4)

(a)The Mishnah now lists all those who are permitted to wash their clothes on Chol ha'Mo'ed. The case mentioned in the previous list that the Mishnah omits from this one is - a Nazir, who is not forbidden to wash clothes (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

(b)The two types of Mitp'chos (cloths), besides hand-towels, that the Tana inserts in his list are - those that the barber spreads on a person whilst he is having a hair-cut and large bathing towels.

(c)The final item that he inserts in the list - is the clothes that a person wore when he was Tamei and who became Tahor on Chol ha'Mo'ed (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

5)

(a)The Chachamim did not include linen clothes in the prohibition - because they get dirty easily (even if they were washed before Yom-Tov).

(b)They exempted from the prohibition (even if it does concern a garment made of linen) - somebody who possesses only one garment ...

(c)... who is then obligated to wash it wearing only his belt (loin-cloth) so that people should not suspect him of transgressing Chol ha'Mo'ed.

6)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses what one is permitted to write on Chol ha'Mo'ed. One permitted to write ...

1. ... a Sh'tar Kidushin - to prevent somebody else from betrothing her first, turning it into a Davar ha'Aveid.

2. ... a Get - there where the husband wants to travel overseas, and in the event that he leaves without without giving his wife a Get and fails to return, she will be an Igunah.

(b)On the Sh'tar Kidushin he gives her is written - 'Harei At Mekudeshes li'.

(c)The Tana adds Shovrin - (receipts) to the list ...

(d)... which one is permitted to write on Chol ha'Mo'ed - in case the debtor refuses to pay without one, as a result of which the creditor loses his money (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

7)

(a)The list continues with Daytiki, Matanah and P'ruzbulin. 'Daytiki' is - a gift given by a Sh'chiv-M'ra (a man on his death-bed) and Matanah.

(b)'Daytiki' is the acronym of - 'Da T'hei Lemeikam (ve'Lih'yos).

(c)It is permitted to write a Sh'tar Matanah - because, should the donor change his mind (See Tos. Yom-Tov), it will cause a loss to the recipient.

8)

(a)A 'P'ruzbul' is - is a document that a creditor writes out handing all his debts to Beis-Din, thereby enabling him toclaim them after the Sh'mitah year (when all personal debts have been cancelled).

(b)The Sh'tar Pruzbul contains the statement - 'Every Sh'tar-Chov that I have on so-and-so I hand over to you 'P'loni and P'loni Dayanim, which I will subsequently be able to claim whenever i want!'.

(c)It is the acronym of 'P'ruz Buli (u'P'ruz Buti)' - which means a Takanah for the rich (and a Takanah for the poor [See Tos. Yom-Tov]).

9)

(a)It is a Takanah for ...

1. ... the rich- to prevent them from transgressing the La'av of claiming their debts after the Sh'mitah.

2. ... the poor - who would otherwise not find anyone to lend them money close to the Sh'mitah-year.

(b)The rich man been spared from transgressing the La'av of - "Lo Yigos es Re'eihu" (in Parshas Re'ei).

(c)Hillel - instituted the P'ruzbul.

10)

(a)The next two items on the list are 'Igros ...

1. ... Shum' - documents of assessment of the debtor's property who has declined to repay his debt, which Beis-Din then hand over to the creditor (See also Tos. Yom-Tov).

2. ... Mazon' - (besides documents that Beis-Din write out authorizing a man's wife and daughters to be fed from his property) - a document that a man writes undertaking to feed the daughters of his wife (from her first husband for a specific number of years).

(b)The Tana also permits Sh'tarei Chalitzah and Miy'unin. Miy'un is - when a girl under twelve who was married off by her mother and brothers walks out on her husband without a Get.

(c)The Sh'tar - testifies that she did so, and enables her to marry another man.

11)

(a)The last three items on the list are Sh'tarei Berurin - (documents that name the Dayan chosen by each of the litigants, forbidding them to retract), G'zeiros Beis-Din and Igros shel R'shus.

(b)Some interpret 'Igros shel R'shus' as written orders signed by the local governer. Others explain it as - letters that one friend sends to another.

(c)With the exception of the last case (See Tos. Yom-Tov) the Mishnah permits all of the above cases - because if they are not performed immediately, one of the parties is liable to suffer a loss (See Tos. Yom-Tov on each case).

12)

(a)The Mishnah - forbids writing Sh'tarei-Chov on Chol ha'Mo'ed (See Tos.Yom-Tov).

(b)Besides where the creditor does not trust the debtor, the Tana permits it - where the Sofer has nothing to eat on Yom-Tov.

(c)The Tana Kama forbids both ...

1. ... writing Sefarim, Tefilin and Mezuzos (See Tos. Yom-Tov), and ...

2. ... correcting even one letter in a Seifer-Torah ...

(d)... adding 'even in Seifer Ezra', which others read as 'Seifer ha'Azarah' - i.e. the Seifer-Torah from which the Kohen Gadol would read on Yom Kipur (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

13)

(a)Rebbi Yehudah is lenient - in that he permits writing Tefilin and Mezuzos for oneself ...

(b)... provided one does it in order to perform the Mitzvah, but not in order to sell them or to rent them out.

(c)The Tana also permits spinning threads to make Tzitzis on Chol ha'Mo'ed - but only if he does it by placing them on his thighs and rubbing them.

(d)He does not permit spinning them ...

1. ... using a reel or a stone (See Tos. Yom-Tov), or even ...

2. ... with one's fingers as one does during the week.

(e)The Halachah is - that one may spin threads for one's Tzitzis using a reel or a stone (See also Tiferes Yisrael).

14)

(a)According to the Mishnah, an Aveil must have buried his deceased relative (See Tos. Yom-Tov) ...

1. ... three days (See Tos. Yom-Tov) before Yom-Tov for the Shiv'ah to terminate with the advent of Yom-Tov, and ...

2. ... eight days before Yom-Tov for the Sheloshim to terminate.

(b)In the event that Yom-Tov arrives ...

1. ... two days after the Shiv'ah begins, he must continue to observe the remaining five days of Shiv'ah after Yom-Tov.

2. ... three days after the Shiv'ah begins, he must continue to observe the remaining twenty-seven days of Sheloshim after Yom-Tov ...

(c)... until which time he is forbidden to have a haircut or a shave.

15)

(a)We do not however, rule like our Mishnah. Even if one buried one's deceased an 'hour' before Yom-Tov, Yom-Tov negates the Shiv'ah.

(b)The Din with regard to Sheloshim however, remains intact. The reason for the eight days that one needs to have observed before Yom-Tov can negate it is - so that the Aveil experiences at least one of the days on which shaving is prohibited (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

(c)The Mishnah bases its rulings on a principle which draws a distinction between Shabbos and Yom-Tov. When the Tana says ...

1. ... Shabbos Oleh ve'Eino Mafsekes', he means - that whereas Shabbos is included in the Shiv'ah but does not negate it ...

2. ... Regalim Mafsikin ve'Einan Olin' - Yom-Tov negates it but is not included in it.

16)

(a)Unlike Yom-Tov, Shabbos is included in the seven days of Shiv'ah - because the Dinim of Aveilus be'Tzin'ah (in private) apply on Shabbos too (See Tos. Yom).

(b)This ruling applies to three Dinim of Aveilus. One of them is marital relations (which is forbidden during the Shiv'ah) - covering one's head and washing in warm water, which all apply on Shabbos too.

(c)The days of Yom-Tov on the other hand, are not included in the seven days of Shiv'ah - since none of the Dinei Aveilus apply on them.

(d)If a relative dies during Yom-Tov - one only begins sitting Shiv'ah after Yom-Tov.

17)

(a)Rebbi Eliezer rules that Shavu'os nowadays (when there is no Beis-ha'Mikdash) has the same Din as Shabbos (Olah ve'Einah Mafsekes) ...

(b)... since it no longer has the seven days of Tashlumin (to make up the Korbanos of Yom-Tov [See also Tos. Yom-Tov]).

(c)Raban Gamliel rules that Rosh ha'Shanah and Yom ha'Kipurim - have the same Din as the Shalosh Regalim (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

18)

(a)The Chachamim disagree with both Rebbi Eliezer and Raban Gamliel. They consider Shavu'os like Yom-Tov and Rosh ha'Shanah and Yom Kipur like Shabbos.

(b)The Halachah regarding ...

1. ... Shavu'os is - like the Chachamim, and regarding ...

2. ... Rosh ha'Shanah and Yom-ha'Kipurim - like Raban Gamliel.

(c)If someone buries his deceased relative seven days before Pesach, Shavu'os, Rosh ha'Shanah or Yom ha'Kipurim - Yom-Tov will negate the Sheloshim (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

19)

(a)Based on the above rulings, if someone begins to sit Shiv'ah on Erev Succos, nine days of Sheloshim remain after Shemini Atzeres ...

(b)... since the first day of Yom-Tov negates the Shiv'ah, the seven days of Yom-Tov negate the next seven days of Sheloshim, and Shemini Atzeres, which is a Yom-Tov in its own right, negate seven more days.

20)

(a)During the Shiv'ah, an Aveil is forbidden to wash himself and his clothes, to anoint himself, wear shoes and indulge in marital relations. The Halachah permits him to wash part of his body with cold water, but forbids washing with warm water at all.

(b)Besides working and Torah-study, greeting is also prohibited to an Aveil during the Shiv'ah. See Tos. Yom-Tov for the sources of all the things that an Aveil is forbidden to do during his Aveilus. See also Tos. Yom-Tov DH 'Gezeiras Shiv'ah' and 'Shemonah ... ' for the source of Shiv'ah and Sheloshim, respectively).

21)

(a)He is forbidden to cut his ...

1. ... moustache - even if it disturbs his eating.

2. ... nails using an implement.

(b)He is not permitted to stitch (Sholel) the tear in his clothes - even in an unprofessional manner.

(c)Besides the relevant Halachos, he is not permitted to study either the written or the oral one.

(d)And besides covering his head (Atifas ha'Rosh) - he is also obligated to overturn all the beds/couches in the house (and that is how he must sleep on them). Note, that these two Halachos are not practiced nowadays, though, presumably, the latter is the source of sitting on low chairs.

22)

(a)Between the Shiv'ah and the termination of the Sheloshim, an Aveil is forbidden to wear -new clothes or white freshly-ironed clothes.

(b)Having a haircut and shaving too, are prohibited. He is not permitted to ...

1. ... eat at a Se'udas ha'Reshus (in the company of others, where there is no Mitzvah involved).

2. ... go on a business trip with his associates.

(c)He is permitted to get married - if he has no wife and children.

(d)And he is not permitted to repair the tear on his clothes - in a professional manner (Me'acheh).

23)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses K'ri'ah (See Tos. Yom-Tov) ...

1. ... Chalitzah - (uncovering the arms and the shoulders that they used to do in former times (but not today) and ...

2. ... Havra'ah -the first meal served by neighbors (in the street in former times, but not today).

(b)The Tana rules - that it is only the relatives of the deceased who perform/participate in these three things, but nobody else.

(c)Besides one's father and mother - one's sons and daughters, brothers, sisters and wife/husband are included in 'K'rovav'.

(d)In addition, the Se'udas Havra'ah on Chol ha'Mo'ed is served - specifically in the house.

(e)On the other hand - it is served on couches that have not been overturned.

24)

(a)One tear K'ri'ah for a Talmid-Chacham - and who known for his righteousness and piety, even if he is not one of the seven relatives.

(b)One tears K'ri'ah, even if the deceased is none of the above - for any Yisrael if one is present when his Neshamah leaves his body.

25)

(a)When tearing K'ri'ah for one's parents, one rents - all one's garments (worn on the top half of the body).

(b)After severing the outer seam - one rips the garments with one's hands until one's heart is revealed.

(c)One is ...

1. ... permitted to sew the tear unprofessionally (Sholel) - after the Sheloshim.

2. ... never permitted to sew it professionally (Me'acheh).

(d)A Rebbe from whom one learned Torah has the same Din as one's parents in this regard.

26)

(a)Regarding the other five relatives ...

1. ... one only needs to tear - one Tefach of ...

2. ... the top garment.

3. ... one is not required to severe the seam.

4. ... one is permitted to use a cutting implement.

(b)In addition - one is permitted to cut from inside one's clothes.

(c)And as far as sewing the tear is concerned - 'Sholel' is permitted after Shiv'ah and 'Me'acheh' after Sheloshim.

27)

(a)The Mishnah says that one may not serve the Se'udas Havra'ah on a Tavla (a fancy tray), an Iskutla or a Kanun (a dish-cum-sieve made of palm or willow leaves).

(b)'Iskutla' mean either a small table made of gold, silver or glass - or a silver dish.

(c)One serves the Se'udas Havra'ah - on a wickerwork basket made of willow-twigs ...

(d)... so as not to embarrass poor friends who bring the Se'udas Havra'ah who cannot afford such expensive 'dishes'.

28)

(a)The Mishnah rules that although one does not recite ...

1. ... Birchas Aveilim on Chol ha'Mo'ed, one does ...

2. ... form a Shurah and perform Nichum Aveilim.

(b)And when the Tana concludes 'u'Potrin es ha'Rabim' he means - that immediately after that one sends the people home (as opposed to accompanying the Aveilim to their home, as is customary.

29)

(a)One ...

1. ... does not put the stretcher down in the street on Chol ha'Mo'ed - because that this was generally followed by a Hesped, and Hespedim are forbidden on Chol ha'Mo'ed (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

2. ... never puts the stretcher of a women down in the street - because of Kavod (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

(b)The source for this latter ruling is the Pasuk in Parshas Chukas "Vatamas Sham Miri'am Vatikaver Sham" (implying that they buried her immediately after she died, without delay.

(c)Discussing the dirges that the women used to sing whilst the dead were being buried, the Mishnah says 'Nashim Me'anos (be'Mo'ed) Aval Lo Metapchos'. In any event, 'Mekon'nos' were certainly forbidden. The definition of ...

1. ... 'Me'anos' is - where all the women sang in unison (See Tiferes Yisrael).

2. ... 'Mekon'nos' is - one women sang and the others joined in the refrain.

3. ... 'Metapchos' is - where they also clap their hands in time to the singing.

30)

(a)Rebbi Yishmael (or Rebbi Shimon) - permits those who are standing next to the stretcher to clap their hands.

(b)The Halachah is - like the Tana Kama.

31)

(a)On Roshei Chadashim, Chanukah and Purim, the Mishnah permits - Metapchos (but not Mekon'nos).

(b)The Tana rules that after the deceased has been buried - all of the above are forbidden (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

(c)The Tana learn from the Pasuk in Yirmiyah "Velamednah B'noseichem Nehi, ve'Ishah Re'usah Kinah" - the above definition of 'Mekon'nos' (that one woman leads the dirges).

32)

(a)The Navi Yeshayah says about all of these things with regard to the era of Techi'as ha'Meisim - 'Bila ha'Maves la'Netzach, u'Machah Hash-m ... Dim'ah me'al Kol Panim ... " ...

(b)... because after Techi'as ha'Meisim, there will be no more death, and the people who come to life will live forever.

(c)And the reason that the Mishnah cites it here is - in order to avoid finishing a Seifer with something bad.