📖 Daily Rambam (1) Hilchos Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 12: Prohibited Grooming, Bodily Markings, and Pagan Mourning Practices (Sunday 4th Nissan)

Hilchos Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 12: Prohibited Grooming, Bodily Markings, and Pagan Mourning Practices

Halachah 1 — Shaving the Corners of the Head

• It is forbidden to shave the corners of the head (the temples) in the manner of idolaters.
• Each corner is a separate prohibition; shaving both incurs two sets of lashes, even with one warning.
• Liability applies whether one shaves only the corners or the entire head.
• The one who shaves is liable; the one shaved is liable only if he assists.
• Shaving a child’s temples is also prohibited.

Halachah 2 — Women and Slaves

• Women are not liable for shaving the corners of the head, nor for shaving a man’s head, due to the Torah’s linkage between head‑corners and beard (which women do not have).
• Slaves, who do have beards, are prohibited from shaving the corners of the head.

Halachah 3 — General Rules of Mitzvah Obligations

• In general, Torah prohibitions apply equally to men and women, except for shaving, head‑corners, and priestly impurity.
• Women are exempt from time‑bound positive mitzvot, with specific listed exceptions (e.g., Shabbat, matzah, Hakhel).

Halachah 4 — Tumtum and Androgynous

• The status of a tumtum and androgynous is doubtful.
• They observe all stringencies of both men and women but are not liable for lashes if they transgress.

Halachah 5 — Women Shaving Men

• Although a woman may shave her own head, she may not shave the corners of a man’s head, even that of a child.

Halachah 6 — Minimum Hair and Method

• The Sages did not define the minimum hair to be left, but tradition requires at least forty hairs.
• The corners may be trimmed with scissors; liability applies only to razor shaving, which removes the hair completely.

Halachah 7 — Shaving the Beard

• Removing the beard is forbidden, as this was the practice of pagan priests.
• The beard has five corners, each independently prohibited.
• Shaving all five at once incurs five sets of lashes.
• Liability applies only with a razor; scissors are permitted.
• A woman with facial hair may shave it; if she shaves a man’s beard, she is not liable.

Halachah 8 — The Mustache

• Shaving the mustache and lower‑lip hair is permitted.
• Customarily, Jews trim it only enough to avoid interference with eating and drinking.

Halachah 9 — Removing Other Body Hair

• Removing hair from other areas (e.g., armpits, genital area) is rabbinically prohibited for men where this is considered feminine practice.
• Punishment is rebellious lashes.
• Where men commonly remove such hair, it is permitted.
• Scissors are permitted everywhere.

Halachah 10 — Cross‑Dressing and Gendered Adornment

• A woman may not adorn herself as a man, nor a man as a woman; all depends on local custom.
• Violation incurs lashes.
• Removing white hairs or dyeing hair to appear youthful is forbidden for men and incurs lashes.
• A tumtum or androgynous may not adopt male or female grooming customs but is not lashed.

Halachah 11 — Tattooing

• Tattooing is forbidden when it involves cutting the skin and filling it with dye, leaving a permanent mark.
• Liability applies only when both cutting and dyeing
• The one performing the tattoo is liable; the recipient is liable only if he actively assists.
• This prohibition applies equally to men and women.

Halachah 12 — Gashing for the Dead

• Gouging one’s flesh for the dead is forbidden and incurs lashes.
• Each gouge or each deceased person can generate separate liability with proper warnings.

Halachah 13 — Gashing for the Dead vs. for Idols

• Gashing for the dead and for idols are related prohibitions.
• For the dead: liability applies whether done by hand or instrument.
• For idols: liability applies only when done with an instrument.

Halachah 14 — “Do Not Form Separate Groups”

The prohibition of gashing also teaches that one may not create multiple courts with differing practices in one city, as this leads to strife.

Halachah 15 — Making Bald Spots

• Making a bald spot for the dead is forbidden and incurs lashes.
• Each bald spot is a separate liability.
• The prohibition applies to any area of the head, not only between the eyes.
• A bald spot is defined as the size of a gris without hair.

Halachah 16 — Improper Intent and Shared Liability

• One is not liable for gashing or bald spots due to personal loss (e.g., house collapse).
• Liability applies only when done for the dead or for idols.
• If one person performs the act and the other assists knowingly, both are liable; if only one acted intentionally, only that person is liable.