Question
We made Aliya a few years ago and love it here! We will be leaving Israel for the first time this coming Sukkot. My question is although I understand I don’t have to keep a second day, is there any way I can drive (obviously public)
on the second day of Yom Tov (Simchat Torah) as we are travelling to see relatives, it will make a very big difference to us having that extra day so we won’t be so rushed. I don’t know if it makes a difference but I can wear lets say a baseball cap so people would not think I am Jewish and driving on Chag, also within a short time we will be out of the area with Jews. I would appreciate the Rav’s response.
Answer
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 496) and Mishnah Brurah (ibid 9) clearly state that a Jew from Eretz Yisrael can’t not keep second day Yom-Tov in public, or even in private, doing a Melachah.
This is even if you wear a hat and not seen as a Jew.
