Talmud - Mo'ed Katan 10b מועד קטן י׳ ב׳

However, with regard to the hooves of a donkey that turns the millstones, no, they may not be trimmed. This is unnecessary on the intermediate days of a Festival, as one may only grind grain that one needs to use on the Festival itself, and the donkey can perform this task even if its hooves are not trimmed.

Rav Yehuda permits one to trim the hooves of the donkey that turns a mill, to set the stones of a mill in their place, to build the base of a mill, to construct a water channel to carry water that drives a mill, and to build a stable for horses on the intermediate days of a Festival. Rava permitted one to groom a horse, to build a trough, and to build a bench on the intermediate days of a Festival.

Rava also permitted one to let the blood of an animal for medical purposes on the intermediate days of a Festival. Abaye said to him: A baraita is taught that supports you: One may let blood from an animal, and one does not withhold any medical treatment from an animal on the intermediate days of a Festival.

Rava further permitted one to scrub garments as part of the laundry process. What is the reason? It is the work of a layman and not the work of a craftsman, which is prohibited on the intermediate days of a Festival. Rav Yitzḥak bar Ami said that Rav Ḥisda said: Tying sleeves to create pleats is prohibited. What is the reason? It is the work of a craftsman and is consequently prohibited on the intermediate days of a Festival.

§ Rava said: With regard to one who clears the ground on the intermediate days of a Festival, the following distinction applies: If his intention is to prepare a threshing floor, it is permitted, but if his intention is to prepare the ground for planting, it is prohibited.

The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of each case? The Gemara explains: If he casts earth from one mound [mulya] onto another mound, or from one furrow into another furrow [natza], it is clear that he is doing this with the intention of preparing a threshing floor, as his sole interest is the level area in the middle and not the ground that surrounds it. However, if he takes earth from a mound and casts it into a furrow, he is presumably doing this with the intention of preparing the ground for planting, which is prohibited on the intermediate days of a Festival due to its similarity to the prohibited labor of plowing.

And Rava said: With regard to one who clears his field from twigs on the intermediate days of a Festival, the following distinction applies: If his intention is to use the twigs it is permitted, but if his intention is to prepare the ground for planting, it is prohibited. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of each case? The Gemara explains: If he takes the large twigs and leaves the small ones, it is clear that he is doing this with the intention of using the twigs. But if he takes both the large twigs and the small ones, it appears as though that he is doing so with the intention of preparing the ground, and it is prohibited.

And Rava further said: With regard to one who opens the gates of a water channel running through his land on the intermediate days of a Festival, the following distinction applies: If his intention is to catch the fish that come along with the water, it is permitted, but if his intention is to water the ground, it is prohibited.

The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of each case? The Gemara explains: If he opens two gates in the water channel, one above his field and one below, so the water that flows in also flows out, it is clear that he is doing this with the intention of catching fish, as the water will flow out and only the fish will remain in the indentations in his field. But if he opens only one gate, he is presumably doing this with the intention of watering the ground, as it is evident that he wants the channel to fill and the water to overflow into the field.

And Rava also said: With regard to one who cuts the branches of his date palm on the intermediate days of a Festival, the following distinction applies: If he does this with the intention of feeding his animals, it is permitted, but if he does it with the intention of enhancing the growth of his date palm, it is prohibited. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of each case? The Gemara explains: If he takes all of the branches from one side of the tree, he is doing this with the intention of feeding the branches to his animals, as it is evident that he is not concerned with the damage to the date palm. However, if he takes the branches from this side of the tree and also from the other side, it appears as though he is doing so with the intention of enhancing the growth of the date palm, and it is prohibited.

And Rava further said: With regard to these unripe dates, cutting them into pieces in order to render them fit for eating is permitted on the intermediate days of a Festival, but preserving them is prohibited, as they will not be ready for use until after the Festival. Rav Pappa said: Since they are likely to become infested with worms if they are not properly attended to, they are treated like merchandise that will be lost, and it is permitted to preserve them on the intermediate days of a Festival.

§ And Rava also said: Any commerce is prohibited on the intermediate days of a Festival. Rabbi Yosei bar Avin said: But with regard to a matter that, if left unattended, will result in significant loss, it is permitted. The Gemara relates that Ravina once had a joint business venture that could have been sold for six thousand dinars, but he delayed selling it until after the intermediate days of a Festival, and he sold it then for twelve thousand dinars.

It is further related that Ravina had lent money to the residents of the fortress of Shanvata. He came before Rav Ashi and said to him: What is the halakha with regard to going to them now, on the intermediate days of the Festival, to collect my debt? Rav Ashi said to him: Since it is now that you will find them, whereas on other days you will not find them, as during the year these people would travel from place to place to earn their livelihood, this is treated like merchandise that will be lost, and it is therefore permitted.

The Gemara adds: So too, it is taught in a baraita with regard to idol worship like this case: One may go

Traduction : The William Davidson digital edition of the Koren Noé Talmud, with commentary by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz.

MoedKatan 10b examines permitted labors during a festival’s intermediate days, including mill repairs, animal care, laundering, and ground clearing rules.