Polishing Shoes on Chol Hamoed

Gut Moed Rabbi, Is it permissible to polish your shoes on Chol HaMoed (in preparation for Shabbat)? Thank you

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

Yes, it  is permitted to polish shoes on Chol Hamoed for use during the holiday.

To Elaborate:

As a general rule, the permissibly of working on Chol Hamoed is very limited. One is required to honor even the “intermediate days” of Pesach and Sukkot and, to a great extent, rest.

In order for something to be permitted to be performed on Chol Hamoed it must confirm to at least one of five requirements.

1] Tzarchei HaMoed – Holiday needs.

2] Davar Ha’aved – A situation of loss, such as if something will be ruined or destroyed if the work is not performed on Chol Hamoed.

3] Tzarchei Rabim – Communal needs. As such, an Eruv or mikva may be repaired on Chol Hamoed.

4] Poel V’ain Lo Ma L’echol – One who is very poor and has no food to eat. Such a person is permitted to work at his job on Chol Hamoed.

5] Maaseh Hedyot – Simple, unprofessional actions, that most people can do. This is in contrast to the term “Maaseh Uman” – professional actions which are generally forbidden on Chol Hamoed.

The question of polishing shoes focuses primarily on category #5.

Professional skills, such as repairing a car, is a good example of Maaseh Uman while sewing on a button (for clothes needed on the holiday) would be Maaseh Hedyot. Polishing shoes will certainly be considered Maaseh Hedyot as everyone can do it, and it is therefore permitted.

There is also no concern on Pesach regarding possible chametz in the shoe polish. Chametz that is unfit for even a dog to eat is ignored. As such, shampoos, cleaning supplies, and the like that may list a chametz-based ingredient may nevertheless be used on Pesach.

Sources: Makkot 23a, OC 530 and commentaries