Let's say you have to go shopping on chol hamoed. I presume not recreational shopping or for anything that can wait till after the chag, but let's say you need things for the last days YT.

Can you pay by cheque or credit card if those require writing, or is it better to pay cash or by debit card, neither of which require writing?
If you know you aren't going to be returning the item, such as buying kugel at Seven Mile, should you say not to print a receipt for you?

Educate the uneducated. What's the problem with writing or printing a receipt?

Exceptions notwithstanding, it's prohibited to write during chol hamoed since it's a melacha. Whether that applies to only sefer torah-type professional writing, or to typing, or to non-Hebrew, or if there are exceptions such as for festival needs or to prevent a loss, etc are questions, but regardless the general rule is that it's prohibited to write on chol hamoed.

Not that that really stops the twins, Picking and Choosing, who pay lip service to ritual observance while finding ways around it. One of my favorites is people who write the first line on an angle or something so that they can say they are writing with a shinui.

Okay, what about printing?

Again, depends whom one asks. In one sense, printing could be worse than writing if printing is considered a 'ma'aseh uman', since generally professional work is more problematic than non-professional work. On the other hand, printing takes less effort than writing these days and printing something off the computer is hardly a professional task but rather something any 4 year old can do.

Incidentally, I think the computer is a huge help these days. Let's say someone has to write something and is allowed under the rules of davar ha-aved - let's say a store clerk needs to record a transaction or a physician needs to log his treatment. In my humble opinion, I think a good solution to minimize CHM desecration is type in a computer file and store it, and then just print it after the chag.

I guess you are refering to what a jewish owned grocery store should do.
[puts on black hat]As far as the purchasing side of it, I think you answered your own question. If the actual shopping part is okay, then there really is no extra effor to sign a receipt and it should be considered part of the original act of shopping. [/takes off black hat]

You know, it doesnt make you look fat after all.

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And melech, you look amazing with an avatar on. Please keep it.

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