Hello Rabbi, As a woman, am I allowed to open food packages in a way that would be not permitted on Shabbat and eat the food on Rosh Chodesh? Additionally, am I allowed to use my phone to read prayers? Best, Sophia

ב"ה Shalom There is indeed a custom of women not doing work with toil on Rosh Chodesh based on the Midrash, that the women received this reward for not participating in the sin of the Golden calf. However, the custom does not forbid "melacha" work as on Shabbat. Mostly, the custom is to refrain from sewing and crocheting. Therefore, simply opening a package of food and possibly erasing the letters is not forbidden on Rosh Chodesh. The issue of using the phone for prayers is an issue on its own. My attitude is to use a phone for prayer only when a siddur is not available, not necessarily because it is forbidden, but because of the many distractions which may arise. In general it is a good idea to have the phone in silent mode while praying even if you are using a siddur. All the best