Haircut and Shaving:
Erev Yom Tov: It is a Mitzvah to get a haircut on Erev Yom Tov.
The prohibition to cut hair during the Moed: It is forbidden to cut one’s hair during the Moed. This applies even if one cut his hair prior to the Moed. This applies even if one is doing so in order to beautify himself for the sake of the Moed.
Brushing hair: It is permitted to comb and brush the hair during the Moed even though hair will be removed as a result. Doing so does not transgress the haircutting prohibition.
The cases of exception: The Sages permitted one to launder clothing during the Moed under certain circumstances. These circumstances of exception are:
- Returned from oversees
- Freed from prison or captivity
- Released from excommunication
- Released from vow
- Mourner
Private versus public: In all the above cases in which haircutting is allowed, it is only permitted to do so in private and not in a public area.
May a child get a haircut during Chol Hamoed? It is permitted for a child to get a haircut on Chol Hamoed [if he is pained by his hair]. This applies even if the child was born before the festival [and could have gotten a haircut beforehand]. It is permitted to do so even in public [unless the child looks already like he is above Bar Mitzvah, in which case it may only be done in private]. [Some Poskim rule that this allowance only applies if the hair of the child is disturbing him. Other Poskim rule it applies in all cases.]
What age is considered a child? Some Poskim rule that all children under the age of Bar Mitzvah are included in this allowance. Other Poskim however rule that only children below the age of Chinuch are included in this allowance.
May one trim his mustache on Chol Hamoed? It is permitted for any man to shave his mustache on Chol Hamoed. It is permitted to do so even in public. [One may cut the mustache either with a scissor or with a razor. One may cut the mustache even if it is not interfering with one’s eating.]
Is it permitted for a woman to shave parts of her body on Chol Hamoed? Yes. It is permitted for a woman to shave her body hair, such as the hair of the armpits and Ervah, on Chol Hamoed.
May a man cut bodily hair on Chol Hamoed? Yes. However, some Poskim are stringent on this matter.
May a married woman cut her hair if it is too long and is not able to be properly covered? Yes.
If one began a haircut before Chol Hamoed, may he complete the haircut on Chol Hamoed? Yes.
May one who is treating his hair for lice cut his hair? Yes.
