From the Rav’s Desk: Shaalos Veteshuvos on Haircuts & More

Question:

Is there any issue with getting a haircut in the afternoon? I’m not referring specifically to Erev Shabbos but to any day of the week, as someone told me that you should not get a haircut in the afternoon.

 

Answer:

Although some are accustomed due to Kabalistic reasons not to ever get haircuts in the afternoon, practically, one may do so, so long as he has already davened Mincha, or it is at least a half hour prior to the time of Mincha Ketana, or he has a set Minyan or reminder.

 

Sources: See regarding getting a haircut before Mincha: Michaber 232; Ketzos Hashulchan 26:4-5 See regarding getting a haircut in the afternoon: The Arizal would refrain from cutting his hair after midday, and hence would only take a haircut before midday on Erev Shabbos. [Custom of the Arizal brought in M”A 251:5; Shaar Hamitzvos Parshas Kedoshim; Lechem Min Hashamayim p. 25; Nagid Umitzvah 2:113; Shulchan Aruch Harizal Tosefes Shabbos 11] Based on this some Poskim rule one is to beware to take a haircut prior to midday on Erev Shabbos. [Gr”a brought in Aruch Hashulchan 251:3; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:15; Mateh Efraim 581:50; Mateh Efraim 625:11 “It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar…”; Alef Lamagen 581:108 “Is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar”; Kaf Hachaim 260:13; 581:80 [proper to be stringent]] Furthermore, some Poskim rule that this applies even during the week, [All Poskim in coming brackets] as the time of Mincha may pass [M”A ibid; Machatzos Hashekel ibid; Ashel Avraham 568; Minchas Elazar 4:10] or because as the time of the afternoon is a time of Gevuros and the cutting of hair is the removal of Gevuros, and this mystically transgresses Lo Sachson Shur Bedisho. [Lechem Min Hashamayim ibid; Pela Yoeitz Erech Giluach; Ben ish Chaiy Vayakehl 1:11, brought in Igros Kodesh 18:560] Other Poskim, however, rule that there is no issue with an afternoon haircut even on Erev Shabbos, and so is implied to be the opinion of Admur. [Admur 251:4; Aruch Hashulchan 251:3; Alef Lamagen 581:108] See Shevach Habris 1:10 footnote 20

Was Shimshon a Nazir?

Shimshon was only a partial Nazir. While he was prohibited from drinking wine, or cutting the hair of his head, it was permitted for him to defile himself to a corpse.

Source: See Shoftim chapter 13; Rambam Hilchos Nezirus 3:13; Misneh Nazir 4a and Gemara 4b; Yerushalmi Nazir 1:2; ; Shut Maharit 1:4; 2:24

From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A

Post Views: 56 I am in the hospital for Chanukah. Should I light my own candles or am I Yotzei with my husband? You are to light your own candles, or be Yotzei with the general candle lighting taking place in the hospital, if such a lighting is taking place

Read More »

From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A

Post Views: 163 Should one make a Farbrengen Friday night this year that it falls on Chaf Kisleiv? Yes. The Rebbe spoke very painfully in 1984 of the fact that no farbrengen was held Friday night that year, and asked for this mistake to not be repeated. The Rebbe stated that

Read More »

From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A

Post Views: 90 New Articles Every Jew is needed to fulfill the worlds purpose The purpose of creation – To know G-d: It states in the Zohar that the purpose of creation of man was in order for him to know G-d. The intent of this statement is as follows:

Read More »

From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A

Post Views: 336 True holiness is achieved through Mitzvah fulfillment True holiness is achieved through Mitzvah fulfillment: Our sages teach us that abstinence from pleasures brings towards holiness and holiness brings towards humility and humility brings towards fear of heaven. Now, the main aspect of holiness is accomplished through the

Read More »

From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A

Post Views: 137 The bigger you are, the greater your angel Everything has an angelic source in the upper spiritual worlds: [Likkutei Torah Balak] There is not one creation within this physical world or revealed spiritual worlds of above, known as Alma Desiglaya, which does not have a root and

Read More »

From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A

Post Views: 237 The power of song in Avodas Hashem All of the elevations take place through song: In the future era we will experience 50,000 Jubilee elevations. This means that the world will experience a revolutionary change and promotion in its G-dly experience every 50 years for a total

Read More »

About The Author

Leave A Comment?

You must be logged in to post a comment.