Halocho #808 - Shaving and haircuts the Jewish way

The Torah prohibits men from removing their Peiyot.

The Peiyot-area is the hair in the triangular area from the top of the ear to the forehead to the bottom of the ear.

According to some opinions even cutting the Peiyot very close to the skin with scissors is forbidden.

The beard-area begins at the bottom of the ear where the Peiyot-area ends and includes the entire face.

Men may not shave their beard with a razor.

Even when using hair-removal cream on the beard-area men cannot use a blade or a knife; they should use a rounded spatula or other instrument that cannot cut.

Women may not shave a man's beard or Peiyot for him either.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 170:1-2

- Danny
Sunday, 18 Iyar 5771 - 33rd day of the Omer - Lag B'Omer