Is one allowed to shave on the last day of Chol HaMoed, going into Yom Tov? Does it make a difference if Yom Tov itself goes directly into Shabbos (“three day Yom Tov”)?
On the one hand: The Mechaber says explicitly (OC 531) that except in certain extreme circumstances, one may not shave on Chol HaMoed. This is even if he shaved on Erev Yom Tov.
On the other hand: Mishnah Berurah (531:3) writes that the reason for this is because if they allowed shaving on Chol HaMoed, one might go into Yom Tov without shaving, relying on the fact that he can shave during Chol HaMoed. This would seem to indicate that since the entire reason one isn’t allowed to shave on Chol HaMoed is to honor Yom Tov, when one is shaving in order to honor Yom Tov it should be permissible.
Furthermore, the Mishnah Berurah earlier (530:1) set forth five general categories of Melacha permitted on Yom Tov, the first of which is something which will be lost if done later. Shaving for the sake of Yom Tov would seem to fall into that category. He further writes there that for a melacha related to Chol HaMoed that doesn’t have to do with eating, any non-specialized task is permissible. Nowadays, shaving would seem to fall into this category. He later specifies that this holds even if its for an individual’s needs and not for the public.
And yet, in spite of these logics, the Shulchan Aruch still writes that only in certain cases may one shave on Chol HaMoed.
Which way do we hold? (Of course, CYLOR.)
