Q&A: Virtual Commerce on Hol HaMoed
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Virtual Commerce on Hol HaMoed
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Is trade in virtual “items” forbidden on Hol HaMoed? For example, there are computer games in which players buy and sell virtual “weapons” that have real monetary value.
Best regards,
Answer
In a case of financial loss, or for the needs of the festival, they permitted even ordinary commerce. If it is not a case of financial loss, in my opinion it is proper to forbid it. However, this depends on the reasons for the prohibition; see a summary here (beginning of section 2):
https://olamot.net/shiur/%D7%9E%D7%A1%D7%97%D7%A8-%D7%91%D7%97%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%93
And even regarding the laws of doubt, the medieval authorities (Rishonim) disagreed whether labor on Hol HaMoed is by Torah law or rabbinic.