From the Rav’s Desk – Q&A on demons, haircuts and more

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Do demons really exist?

The Sages[1] mentioned the existence of demons in various places, and they are likewise mentioned in a verse[2] in scripture. It is hence imperative for a G-d fearing Jew who believes in the Torah and in the word of the Sages to believe in their existence.[3] However, there were Poskim[4] who questioned their existence.

[1] See Gittin 68a; Pesachim 113a; Michaber and Rama Y.D. 179:16; Admur O.C. 307:32; Admur Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh Halacha 6 in parentheses; Admur 110:9 regarding travel without parentheses; Rama Y.D. 198:6; Tur Y.D. 179 in name of Rosh Sanhedrin 7:8; M”A 307:26; Beis Yosef 307; Rabbeinu Yerucham 12:9; Shach 179:20; 198:11; Derisha Y.D. 198; Sefer Chassidim 205 and 235; Elya Raba 551:43-44; M”B 551:102; Sefer Nishmas Chaim Mamar Shelishis 12-13; Taamei Haminhagim  Likkutim 74; Otzer Yad Hachaim 868-899; Pardes Yosef Vayikra 17:7; There are many Stories of demons mentioned in Chazal and Poskim; Such as the story of Shlomo Hamelech and Ashmadai in Miseches Gittin, and even in the Teshuvos of the Machaneh Chaim.

[2] The verse states, “Velo Yizbechu Od El Haseirim” and Yizbechu Lasheidim”

[3] Radbaz 3:405

[4] See Meiri Sanhedrin 96 that the entire concept of demons is Divrei Havaiy, brought in Radbaz

Must one cover his head during a haircut?[1]

No. However some[2] are particular not to completely uncover the head during a haircut.

[1] M”B 2:11

[2] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 2 footnote 84; Biur Halacha 2

Must one wash his hands after cutting someone else’s hair?[1]

Yes.[2]

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[1] Kaf Hachaim 4:92; Yifei Laleiv 1:18 [Kuntrus Achron] that so is the custom of the world.

[2] As it is common for the barber to touch the persons hair which is full of sweat.

May one comb his hair, or play with his hair, if it may cause white hairs to come out?

If one intends to remove his white hairs, then it is forbidden to comb the hair or play with it in all cases. If the removal of the white hairs is not inevitable, and one has no intent to do so, then it is permitted.[1] If however, the removal of white hairs is inevitable, then if one does not feel benefit from its occurrence it is permitted to do so according to all. If, however one feels benefit from its occurrence then some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden. Other Poskim[3] rule it is permitted, being one has no intent to do so.

[1] The reason: As the prohibition only applies when one removes the hairs due to beauty purposes.

[2] Halachos Ketanos 2:258; Agua Beahalecha p. 58, brought in Darkei Teshuvah 182:16

[3] Maharam Shick Y.D. 172

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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