סימן קו סעיף ו

לִתְבֹּעַ חוֹבוֹת, נָהֲגוּ לְהָקֵל אֲפִלּוּ מִיִשְֹרָאֵל, מִשּׁוּם דְּחוֹשְׁבִין לְדָבָר הָאָבֵד.

It is customary to be lenient about collecting debts, even when the debt is owed by a Jew, because we consider this the prevention of a loss.¹¹See Shulchan Aruch 539:2–3. This reason is only necessary for commercial debts such as payment for merchandise (already delivered). These have the halachah of commerce, and are allowed only when classified as prevention of loss. Debts from loans, however, are not considered business and you may try to collect them on Chol Hamoed, even in court. (see Taz, Mishnah Berurah 539:7–11) If you have a good security (מַּשְׁכּוֹן) you may not make your claim in Beis Din (court) on Chol Hamoed. (Eliyahu Rabbah) When claiming outstanding loans, etc., if they are not considered prevention of loss, you may not do melachah (like writing) in the process.

תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא שנאמר הליכות עולם לו אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות (נדה ע"ג.)