Melacha Avoidance on a Two-Day Rosh Chodesh

Q. When there are two days of Rosh Chodesh, does the custom of not working apply to both days?

A. The Mishnah Berurah (417:4) writes that when there are two days of Rosh Chodesh, some hold that women must observe both days of Rosh Chodesh, but others hold that this too depends on the custom. For those who observe only one day, it should be the second day of Rosh Chodesh. That is because the second day of Rosh Chodesh is primary, since it is the first day of the new month. The Mor U’ketziya (417) writes that the minhag not to do melacha on Rosh Chodesh only applies during the daytime, but on the night of Rosh Chodesh (both before and after), it is permitted. The Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha 417, s.v. Minhag) cites this ruling of the Mor U’ketziya but comments that he is unsure if this is common practice.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.