Halocho #2415 - 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

פְּאוֹת הָרֹאשׁ הֵן שְׁתַּיִם בְּסוֹף הָרֹאשׁ, וְהוּא מְקוֹם חִבּוּרוֹ לַלֶּחִי מִיָמִין וּמִשְׂמֹאל אֵצֶל הָאֹזֶן. וַאֲפִלּוּ לְגַלְּחָן בְּמִסְפָּרַיִם כְּעֵין תַּעַר, דְּהַיְנוּ סָמוּךְ לַבָּשָׂר, שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְשַׁיֵר כְּלוּם מִן הַשְּׂעָרוֹת סָמוּךְ לַבָּשָׂר, יֵש אוֹסְרִין. וְלָכֵן אִם צָרִיךְ לְגַלְּחָן לִרְפוּאָה, יִזָּהֵר שֶלֹּא לְגַלְּחֵן סָמוּךְ לַבָּשָׂר מַמָּשׁ. וְשִׁעוּר הַפֵּאָה מִכְּנֶגֶד שֵׂעָר שֶׁעַל פַּדַּחְתּוֹ וְעַד לְמַטָּה מִן הָאֹזֶן, מְקוֹם שֶׁהַלְּחִי הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה יוֹצֵאת וּמִתְפָּרֶדֶת שָׁם.

פְּאוֹת הַזָּקָן לֹא אָסְרָה תוֹרָה לְהַשְׁחִית אֶלָּא בְּתַעַר. וְהַפֵּאוֹת הֵן חָמֵשׁ, וְרַבּוּ בָהֶן הַדֵּעוֹת, לְפִיכָךְ יְרֵא שָׁמַיִם לֹא יַעֲבִיר תַּעַר עַל כָּל זְקָנוֹ כְּלָל, וַאֲפִלּוּ עַל הַשָּׂפָה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה אוֹ תַּחַת הַגָּרוֹן. וְאֵין חִלּוּק בֵּין תַּעַר לְאֶבֶן חַדָּה שֶׁחוֹתֶכֶת אֶת הַשְּׂעָרוֹת, כְּגוֹן פִּיגְמֶאנְטְ אוֹ פִּימְסֶענְשְטֵיין, שֶׁאָסוּר גַּם כֵּן. וְאוֹתָן שֶׁמְּסִירִין שְׂעַר הַזָּקָן עַל יְדֵי מִשְׁחָה מִסִּיד עִם אַוִירעם, יֵשׁ לָהֶם לִזָּהֵר, שֶׁלֹּא לִגְרֹר אֶת הַמִּשְׁחָה בְּסַכִּין, שֶׁמָּא יַחְתֹּךְ שֵׂעָר, רַק יִגְרְרוּ בְּקֵיסָם וְכַדּוֹמֶה 

- Danny

Sunday, 18 Iyar 5784 - 33rd day of the Omer - Lag B'Omer

 Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2414 - Are haircuts allowed tomorrow?

Lag B'Omer - the 33rd day of the Omer - will be on Sunday. No Tachanun is said on Sunday, and צִדְקָתְךָ צֶדֶק is not said on Shabbat at Mincha.

One may have haircuts on Friday (tomorrow) already, in honor of Shabbat.

All other customs of mourning are to be observed until the morning of Lag B'Omer.

Those who have the custom to mourn from Rosh Chodesh Iyar, resume the mourning customs after Lag B'Omer. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:6, 7

בְיוֹם ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר, וְכֵן מִשָּׁם וָאֵילֵךְ מַתִּירִין, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁבְּיוֹם ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר פָּסְקוּ מִלָּמוּת, וְלָכֵן מַרְבִּים בּוֹ קְצָת שִׂמְחָה, וְאֵין אוֹמְרִים בּוֹ תַּחֲנוּן. וְאַף שֶׁגַּם בּוֹ בַּיּוֹם מֵתוּ קְצָת, אָמְרִינָן מִקְּצָת הַיּוֹם כְּכֻלּוֹ, וְלָכֵן אֵין לְהִסְתַּפֵּר אוֹ לִשָֹּא עַד לְאַחַר שֶׁהֵאִיר הַיּוֹם, וְלֹא מִבָּעֶרֶב. אַךְ כְּשֶׁחַל ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן, מִסְתַּפְרִין בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת שֶׁלְּפָנָיו, לִכְבוֹד הַשַׁבָּת.

Note: Many Sefardim only stop the mourning on the 34th day of the Omer and don't allow haircuts on Friday.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny

Thursday, 15 Iyar 5784 - 30th day of the Omer

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier 

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2401 - Mourning during the Omer

During the Omer period, the great sage Rabbi Akiva (who lived during and after the destruction of the second Temple) lost almost all of his thousands of Torah students; reducing Torah Scholars to a handful.

As a result, 33 days of the Omer are customarily observed as days of mourning, during which weddings and haircuts are forbidden.

One may get engaged during the Omer and even celebrate with a meal, but dancing and music are not allowed.

The Sandek, Mohel and father of the newborn may take haircuts the afternoon before the Brit.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:6 - 9

בִּימֵי הַסְּפִירָה מֵתוּ תַּלְמִידֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא בְּל"ג יוֹם, וְלָכֵן נוֹהֲגִין בְּיָמִים אֵלּוּ קְצָת אֲבֵלוּת, שֶׁאֵין נוֹשְׂאִין נָשִׁים וְאֵין מִסְתַּפְּרִים.

הַסַּנְדָּק (הוּא הַתּוֹפֵס אֶת הַתִּינוֹק בִּשְׁעַת מִילָה) וְהַמּוֹהֵל, וַאֲבִי הַבֵּן, מֻתָּרִין לְהִסְתַּפֵּר בְּיּוֹם שֶׁלִּפְנֵי הַמִּילָה סָמוּךְ לָעֶרֶב קֹדֶם הֲלִיכָה לְבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת.

לַעֲשׂוֹת שִׁדּוּכִין אֲפִלּוּ בַּסְּעוּדָּה, מֻתָּרִין בְּכָל הַיָּמִים. אַךְ רִקּוּדִין וּמְחוֹלוֹת, אֲסוּרִין.

- Danny

Monday, 28 Nissan 5784 - 13th day of the Omer

 Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

 מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #1823 - Haircuts tomorrow - Erev Shabbat?

Lag B'Omer - the 33rd day of the Omer - will be on Sunday. No Tachanun is said on Sunday, and צִדְקָתְךָ צֶדֶק is not said on Shabbat at Mincha.

One may already have haircuts on Friday (tomorrow), in honor of Shabbat.
All other customs of mourning are to be observed until the morning of Lag B'Omer - Sunday morning.

Those who have the custom to mourn from Rosh Chodesh Iyar, resume the mourning customs after Lag B'Omer.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:6, 7

Note: Many Sephardim only stop the mourning on the 34th day of the Omer (Monday morning) and don't allow haircuts on Friday.

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny

Thursday, 15 Iyar 5777 - 30th day of the Omer

בִּימֵי הַסְּפִירָה מֵתוּ תַּלְמִידֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא בְּל"ג יוֹם, וְלָכֵן נוֹהֲגִין בְּיָמִים אֵלּוּ קְצָת אֲבֵלוּת, שֶׁאֵין נוֹשְׂאִין נָשִׁים וְאֵין מִסְתַּפְּרִים. וְיֵשׁ חִלּוּקֵי מִנְהָגִים בְּמִסְפַּר ל"ג יָמִים הָאֵלֶּה, יֵשׁ מְקוֹמוֹת נוֹהֲגִין שֶׁחוֹשְׁבִין אוֹתָן מִיּוֹם רִאשׁוֹן דִּסְפִירָה, וְלָכֵן אוֹסְרִין עַד ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר. אַךְ כְּשֶׁחַל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אִיָּר בַּשַׁבָּת, דְּיֵשׁ בּוֹ שְׁתֵּי קְדֻשּׁוֹת, קְדֻשַׁת שַׁבָּת וּקְדֻשַּׁת רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, אָז מַתִּירִין לִשָּׂא, וְכֵן לְהִסְתַּפֵּר בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת

 וּבְיוֹם ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר, וְכֵן מִשָּׁם וָאֵילֵךְ מַתִּירִין, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁבְּיוֹם ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר פָּסְקוּ מִלָּמוּת, וְלָכֵן מַרְבִּים בּוֹ קְצָת שִׂמְחָה, וְאֵין אוֹמְרִים בּוֹ תַּחֲנוּן. וְאַף שֶׁגַּם בּוֹ בַּיּוֹם מֵתוּ קְצָת, אָמְרִינָן מִקְּצָת הַיּוֹם כְּכֻלּוֹ, וְלָכֵן אֵין לְהִסְתַּפֵּר אוֹ לִשָֹּא עַד לְאַחַר  שֶׁהֵאִיר הַיּוֹם, וְלֹא מִבָּעֶרֶב

 אַךְ כְּשֶׁחַל ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן, מִסְתַּפְרִין בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת שֶׁלְּפָנָיו, לִכְבוֹד הַשַׁבָּת

וְיֵשׁ מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁמַּתִּירִין עַד רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אִיָּר וְעַד בִּכְלָל, שֶׁהֵן שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם, וְנִשְׁאָרִים ל"ג יוֹם בְּאִסּוּר עַד חַג הַשָּׁבוּעוֹת (וּמִסְתַּפְּרִין בְּעֶרֶב הָחָג). וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם בְּיוֹם ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר בְּעַצְמוֹ מַתִּירִין. (וּכְשֶׁחָל בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן, מַתִּירִין בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתַבְתִּי לְעֵיל).

וְיֵשׁ מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁמַּתִּירִין עַד רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אִיָּר וְלֹא עַד בִּכְלָל, וּבְיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן דְּרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ מַתְחִיל הָאִסּוּר, וְיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן דְּהַגְבָּלָה הוּא יוֹם הַלּ"ג, וְאַמְרֵינָן בּוֹ, מִקְּצָת הַיּוֹם כְּכֻלּוֹ, וּמֻתָּרִין לִשָּׂא וּלְהִסְתַּפֵּר בָּהֶן, וְגַם בְּיוֹם ל"ג בָּעֹמֶר מֻתָּרִין (וּכְמוֹ שֶׁכָּתַבְתִּי לְעֵיל)

 וּצְרִיכִין לִנְהֹג בְּכָל קְהִלָּה מִנְהָג אֶחָד, וְלֹא יְשַׁנּוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת מִקְּצָתָן כָּךְ וּמִקְּצָתָן כָּךְ

Halocho #1039 - White hair

A man may not wear clothes nor jewelry that only women wear, nor may a woman wear men-only apparel. 

Who-wears-what is defined by local custom and may change over time. 

A man may not pluck out even a single white hair (unless all his hair has turned white) nor may he dye his white hair. A woman may. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 171:1,3

- Danny
Tuesday, 25 Shevat 5773

Halocho #1038 - Shaving

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
Monday, 24 Shevat 5773

Halocho #846 - Last chance for a haircut!

It's customary not to have a haircut during the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz until after 9 Av. This includes haircuts and shaving.

Since the "3 weeks" begin on Tuesday, Monday is the last chance to have a haircut.

It's a Mitzva to have a haircut on Friday in honor of Shabbat, if one needs one.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72,:14, 122:3

This week we will read the Haftara of Parshat Pinchas (starting at Melachim-I Ch. 18:46) which talks about Eliyahu Hanavi. Most years Parshat Pinchas is during the 3 weeks and we then read a Haftara (Yirmiyahu Ch. 1) relating to the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash.


Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 12 Tamuz 5771

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

Halocho #807 - Haircuts tomorrow

Lag B'Omer - the 33rd day of the Omer - will be on Sunday. No Tachanun is said on Sunday, and צִדְקָתְךָ צֶדֶק is not said on Shabbat at Mincha.

One may have haircuts on Friday (tomorrow) already, in honor of Shabbat.
All other customs of mourning are to be observed until the morning of Lag B'Omer.

Those who have the custom to mourn from Rosh Chodesh Iyar, resume the mourning customs after Lag B'Omer.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:6, 7

Note: Many Sefardim only stop the mourning on the 34th day of the Omer and don't allow haircuts on Friday.

Shabbat Shalom
- Danny

Thursday, 15 Iyar 5771 - 30th day of the Omer

Halocho #774 - Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Sukkot are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden.

Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honor Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honoring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards.

On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss.

Preparing food for other days of Chol Hamo'ed or for the last days of Yom Tov is allowed.

Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden.

Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104.

- Danny
Sunday, 21 Adar II 5771

Halocho #597 - Last chance for a haircut!

It's customary not to have a haircut during the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz until after 9 Av. This includes haircuts and shaving. Since the "3 weeks" begin on Tuesday, Sunday is the last chance to have a haircut.

It's a Mitzva to have a haircut on Friday in honor of Shabbat, if one needs one.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72,:14, 122:3

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 12 Tamuz 5770

Halocho #571 - Eating on Erev Yom Tov

Today - Tuesday - is Erev Shavuot.

In honor of Yom Tov one should bathe in warm water and cut ones hair and nails on Erev Yom Tov.

In order not to spoil one's appetite for the Yom Tov meal, one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon, on Erev Yom Tov.

Outside of Israel this also applies to the first day of Yom Tov; so as not to spoil one's appetite for the evening meal of the 2nd day of Yom Tov one should not eat a meal during the second half of the afternoon on Wednesday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:2

Chag Shavuoth Same'ach

- Danny
Tuesday, Erev Shavuoth, - 5 Sivan 5770 - 49th day of the Omer

Please daven for a complete recovery for Chagai Yitzchak ben Pnina - חגי יצחק בן פנינה

Halocho #559 - Beards and shaving

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

Men may not shave their beards 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 Payot for him either.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 170:2

- Danny
Sunday, 18 Iyar 5770, 33rd day of the Omer - Lag B'Omer

Halocho #558 - Haircuts tomorrow

Lag B'Omer - the 33rd day of the Omer - will be on Sunday.

One may have haircuts on Friday (tomorrow) already, in honor of Shabbat.

All other customs of mourning are to be observed until the morning of Lag B'Omer.

Those who have the custom to mourn from Rosh Chodesh Iyar, resume the mourning customs after Lag B'Omer.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 120:6, 7

Note: Many Sefradim only stop the mourning on the 34th day of the Omer.

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 15 Iyar 5770 - 30th day of the Omer

Halocho #556 - Cross-dressing

A man may not wear clothes or jewelry that only women wear - nor may a woman wear men-only apparel.

"Who-wears-what" is defined by local custom and may change over time.

A man may not pluck out even a single white hair (unless all his hair has turned white) nor may he dye his white hair. A woman may.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 171:1,3

- Danny
Tuesday, 13 Iyar 5770 - 28th day of the Omer

Halocho #555 - Sideburns and Payot

The Torah prohibits men from removing their Payot.

The Payot-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 Payot very close to the skin with scissors is forbidden.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 170:1

- Danny
Monday, 12 Iyar 5770 - 27th day of the Omer

Halocho#498 - Braids on Shabbat

It's a Torah prohibition to braid threads or hair on Shabbat. Twisting 2 or more threads together is also forbidden.


One cannot braid hair on Shabbat - nor untie hair that is already braided.


On Shabbat one is allowed to gather loose hair and tie them into a ponytail or hold them in place with a headband.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:44, Shmirat Shabbat Kehilchato 14:52

Shabbat Shalom

- Danny
Thursday, 6 Shvat 5770

Halocho # 448 - Hair care on Shabbat

One may not braid hair on Shabbat.

One may not undo braids on Shabbat.

One may not use a brush that pulls out hair on Shabbat.

One may fix up ones hairdo using ones hands or a brush with soft hair.

Preferably one should have a Shabbat-brush; one that is soft and doesn't pull out hair, that one only uses on Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 80:31

This week is Shabbat Mevorchim. Rosh Chodesh Kislev will be on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach,

- Danny
Thursday, 25 Marcheshvan 5770

Halocho #408 - Chol Hamo'ed; Chol or Mo'ed?

The intermediary days of Pessach and Sukkot are known as Chol Hamo'ed. Some types of work are permitted, others are forbidden.

Chazal (our Rabbis of blessed memory) have some harsh words for those who don't honour Chol Hamo'ed properly. Honouring Chol Hamo'ed includes eating meals and wearing clothes that are closer to Yom Tov standards than regular weekday standards.

On Chol Hamo'ed one may do all work needed to prevent a monetary loss.

Preparing food for Chol Hamo'ed or the last days of Yom Tov is allowed.

Gardening is forbidden besides for picking fruit for Chol Hamo'ed or Yom Tov, and to prevent plants dying, e.g. if they need to be irrigated. Planting is forbidden.

Cutting hair is forbidden on Chol Hamo'ed. Cutting nails is only allowed if one also cut them before Yom Tov.

Writing down information so that it won't be forgotten is allowed. Writing letters to friends and family is allowed. The custom is to write the first line at an angle as a reminder that writing is only partially permitted.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 104.

Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny Tuesday 19 Elul 5769

Halocho #394 - Haircuts and cutting nails on Rosh Chodesh

Tonight - Wednesday night - is Rosh Chodesh Elul. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on Thursday and Friday. Many people follow the Tzava'a (last will) of Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid and do not cut their nails nor have haircuts on Rosh Chodesh. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch follows this opinion. Those who do not cut nails nor have haircuts on Rosh Chodesh, should cut their nails and have hair cuts - today (Wednesday) in honor of Shabbat. Don't forget to add Ya'aleh Veyavo in the Amida and Birkat Hamazon on Rosh Chodesh. Chodesh Tov! Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:14 Chodesh Tov! - Danny Wednesday, 29 Av 5769