May One Make or Undo a Hair Braid on Shabbos?[1]
Hair braiding is a common part of many people’s Shabbos preparations, especially for women and children. It is therefore not uncommon for someone to wonder whether a braid may be fixed, redone, or undone on Shabbos itself. While a braid may seem like a temporary hairstyle, the halacha views braiding and unbraiding through a unique lens that places both actions under Shabbos restrictions.
- The Law:
Making a hair braid:[2] It is [Rabbinically[3]] forbidden to braid one’s hair [or another person’s hair, or a child’s hair] on Shabbos.[4] [Those who are lenient in this matter should be corrected.[5] This applies even to a loose braid and even when using a soft brush that does not pull out hair.]
Undoing a hair braid:[6] It is likewise forbidden to undo a braid on Shabbos [even if it was made before Shabbos].[7] [Those women who are lenient to do so, are to be protested.[8] This applies even to a loose braid and even when using a soft brush that does not pull out hair.]
- Sheitel (Wig) Braids – May one make, or undo, the braid of a Sheitel on Shabbos?[9]
It is forbidden to braid or unbraid a sheitel on Shabbos.[10] If, however, individuals are already accustomed to being lenient in this regard and it is evident that they will not accept guidance, one is not obligated to object to their practice.[11]
- Removing the Elastic – May one remove the elastic from the braid, without actually undoing it?
Some[12] authorities permit removing the elastic from a braid on a sheitel, even though the braid will naturally loosen and unravel afterward without further action. Since the person is not actively unbraiding it but merely taking off the elastic, this is viewed by those poskim as permissible.
Two-Sentence Summary:
It is forbidden to make or undo a hair braid on Shabbos, whether on one’s own hair, another person’s hair, a child’s hair, or a sheitel. Some permit merely removing the elastic from a braid when the braid is not actively being undone.
Table of Laws
| Scenario | Ruling |
| Braiding one’s own hair | Forbidden |
| Braiding another person’s hair | Forbidden |
| Braiding a child’s hair | Forbidden |
| Making a loose braid | Forbidden |
| Using a soft brush while braiding | Forbidden |
| Undoing a braid made before Shabbos | Forbidden |
| Making a braid in a sheitel | Forbidden |
| Undoing a braid in a sheitel | Forbidden |
| Removing the elastic from a braid | Some permit |
Practical Examples:
- Sarah notices that her daughter’s braid came loose on Shabbos morning. She may not re-braid it, even if she plans to make only a simple braid.
- Rivka wants to undo her braid before taking a nap on Shabbos afternoon. Since undoing a braid is also prohibited, she must leave it in place.
- Miriam has a braid in her sheitel that she would like to redo before guests arrive. She may neither undo the braid nor create a new one on Shabbos.
[1] Michaber 303:26
[2] Michaber ibid; Mishneh Shabbos 94b “Hagodeles”
[3] P”M 303 A”A 20; M”B 303:82; Rambam 20; Chachamim in Mishneh ibid; The following Poskim rule like Chachomim regarding makeup, and the same applies to a braid: Implication of Michaber 303:25 and Admur 320:27; M”A 303:19; Olas Shabbos 303:19; M”B 303:79; See Biur Halacha 303:25 “Mishum Tzoveia”; Kaf Hachaim 303:115-116
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is even Biblically forbidden to do so. [Rebbe Eliezer in Mishneh ibid, brought in Shaar Hatziyon 303:66; The following Poskim rule like Rebbe Eliezer regarding makeup, and the same applies to a braid: Elya Raba 303:40 in name of Rishonim who rule like Rebbe Eliezer in Mishneh ibid; Yireim, brought in Nishmas Adam; Semag; Ran; Ravan; See Biur Halacha ibid and Kaf Hachaim ibid]
The reason behind those who hold it is Biblically forbidden: Although it is farfetched to consider a hair braid similar to building a building, nevertheless, the Torah itself testifies that it is considered a category of building, as the verse states “Vayiven Hashem Elokim Es Hatzela” and the Sages teach that Hashem made a braid for Chava and presented her to Adam Harishon, and thus we see that a braid in the Torah is referred to as building. [Shabbos 95a; M”B 303:82]
Difference between doing it to a friend and to oneself: The Gemara Shabbos 95a differentiates between if a woman makes a braid on her own hair, in which case she is exempt [even according to the approach of Rebbe Eliezer], and only when she makes a braid on her friend’s hair is she liable, as only then is the braid nice and beautiful.
[4] The reason: This is forbidden due to the building prohibition, as it is similar to building, and hence the Sages prohibited it. [M”A 303:20; M”B ibid; based on Shabbos 95a] This is supported in the Torah, as the verse states “Vayiven Hashem Elokim Es Hatzela” and the Sages teach that Hashem made a braid for Chava and presented her to Adam Harishon, and thus we see that a braid in the Torah is referred to as building. [Shabbos 95a; Machatzis Hashekel 303:20; M”B 303:82] It is not Biblically forbidden due to building, as the building prohibition only applies to structures. It is also not Biblically forbidden due to weaving, as this prohibition only applies a) To matters that are not attached to a person or the ground, and b) To a weaving that lasts and is permanent. [M”A 303:20; M”B 303:82; Tosafos Shabbos 94b] Regarding why it does not transgress the tying prohibition-see Or Sameach on Rambam 10:8 and Shevet Halevi 1:101
[5] Darkei Moshe 303:7; Bedek Habayis; See Beis Yosef 303:26; Kol Bo 31
[6] Michaber ibid; Tosafos Shabbos 57a “Bema”
[7] The reason: This is forbidden due to the destroying prohibition, as it is similar to destroying, and hence the Sages prohibited it. [P”M 303 A”A 20; M”B 303:83; Tosafos ibid]
[8] Darkei Moshe 303:7; Bedek Habayis; See Beis Yosef 303:26; Kol Bo 31
[9] M”B 303:82
[10] The reason: Although doing so does not transgress the building prohibition [as a braid is only considered building when attached to the body, just like Chava], nevertheless, it is forbidden due to the weaving prohibition. Now, although the braid is temporary, it is nevertheless Rabbinically forbidden. [M”B ibid] It is likewise forbidden to undo the braid due to the prohibition of Potzeia, which is undoing the weaving. [Shaar Hatziyon 303:71]
[11] M”B ibid; See Kol Bo 31, brought in Beis Yosef 303:26
[12] Chut Shani 36:15, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 303 footnote 87