From the Rav’s Desk Sunday 10th Kisleiv: Neck Hair removal: Halachic Guidelines for Men for Hair Removal from the Neckline and Throat [i.e. Cervical-Throat Region; Anterior Neck]

Neck Hair removal: Halachic Guidelines for Men for Hair Removal from the Neckline and Throat [i.e. Cervical-Throat Region; Anterior Neck]

Question:

I have hair growing by my throat, on the front of my neck, above the collarbone. It gets sweaty, uncomfortable, and even bothers my wife. For hygiene and comfort, I’d really like to remove it. But since I follow the Hasidic custom of not shaving or trimming my beard, I’m unsure if removing this particular hair is allowed. Is it permissible?

Answer:
The customary practice among Hasidim, which follows the practice of the Arizal, is to refrain from shaving or even trimming any hair in the front neck/throat area, as part of the broader tradition of maintaining a full untouched beard. This stringency is rooted in communal norms and Halachic considerations that the throat area may be considered one of the corners of the beard and be under the general cross-dressing prohibition applicable to men.

Nonetheless, from the letter of the law, according to almost all halachic authorities it is permitted for one to trim the hair that grows on the front of the neck (above the collarbone), as this is not considered part of the beard proper. Furthermore, many authorities even allow a razor like shave, using a shaver, so long as an actual razor blade is not used. Furthermore, according to some Poskim, even shaving this area with a razor is only prohibited above the Adam’s apple and only when done for non-medicinal reasons. Therefore, in cases where the hair is bothersome—such as causing excessive sweat, discomfort, or hygiene issues—one may be lenient and trim that hair that is found in this area. It is, however, best not to give it a razor like shave, even if a razor is not actually used, as according to some authorities it is forbidden to shave this area of throat hair even for medicinal purposes, just as applies to the rest of the facial hair, [although those who are lenient have upon whom to rely]. Furthermore, based on the famed ruling of the Tzemach Tzedek which prohibits even trimming the beard, one is not to trim the neck hair unless it is being done for medicinal reasons as described above, or one does so only below the area of the Adam’s apple.

Explanation:

The Torah prohibits one from shaving or giving a razor like shave to the five corners of the beard. According to most authorities all of these corners are found somewhere on the face and none of them are found in the neck or throat area. However, a minority opinion lists the fifth corner of the beard as the area of the Adam’s apple. Furthermore, some authorities explain that notwithstanding the throat area not being one of the corners of the beard, shaving this area remains forbidden due to the independent prohibition against cross-dressing relevant towards men. Indeed, the Rama takes this opinion into account and rules that one may not shave the hair that grows in the throat area. However, the Rama does not state as to whether it is due to him considering the neck area as one of the corners of the beard, or simply because of the independent prohibition against cross-dressing. Indeed, this matter is debated between the Rishonim as to the proper understanding of the opinion of Rabbeinu Chananel.  According to the Tur and others, Rabbeinu Chananel is of the opinion that the throat area is one of the five corners of the beard.  This opinion is concorded by the Bach who rules that the beard extends until the area of the Adam’s apple However, the Beis Yosef in his commentary on the Tur argues that even according to Rabbeinu Chananel the throat area is not one of the five corners of the beard and is simply prohibited due to the cross-dressing prohibition. The Taz concords with this approach and negates the ruling of his father-in-law, the Bach, arguing that shaving this area is merely a rabbinical prohibition due to cross-dressing. The practical ramifications between the two reasons is regarding whether it is permitted for one to trim this hair to a razor like shave using scissors. According to the former approach of Rabbeinu Chananel which views the throat as part of the beard, then even trimming to a razor like shave should be avoided as we rule regarding the rest of the beard. However, according to the latter approach trimming even to a razor like shave is permitted, and it is only the use of a razor the remains forbidden. A further ramification would be regarding if shaving the area would be permitted for medicinal purposes. If the prohibition is due to the area being part of the beard, then shaving even for medicinal purposes would remain forbidden, while if the prohibition is simply due to the cross-dressing prohibition, then shaving for medicinal purposes is permitted.

Now, the Rama in 181:11 rules that one is not to shave the neck area with a razor although in 181:10 rules that there is no need to be stringent against trimming it to a razor like shave. Hence, we can conclude that the Rama holds like the opinion of the Taz and Beis Yosef that the throat area is not considered part of the beard and is merely rabbinically forbidden due to the cross-dressing prohibition.

According to all this it ends up that with exception to the opinion of the Bach, it is permitted for one to even give a razor like shave to the throat area, and according to all opinions, even the Bach, it is permitted to trim the area. Furthermore, in the event that there is a medicinal reason for shaving the hair of the throat area with a razor,  then it would be permitted to do so according to all opinions with exception to the opinion of the Bach.

However, let’s now examine whether this ruling would defer according to the opinion of the Arizal, and Tzemach Tzedek whom we are careful to follow when it comes to the trimming of the beard prohibition:

It states in the writings of the Arizal that he was careful not to trim even any of the hair that grows on the throat area, under the beard. Hence, we see that the Arizal considered the throat area as part of the beard as rules the Bach, and the Tur in Rabbeinu Chananel, and in addition applies the stringency of not trimming any part of the beard also to this area, as we will explain now in the opinion of the Tzemach Tzedek.

The Tzemach Tzedek famously rules that even trimming the beard is forbidden due to the cross-dressing prohibition. Now, according to the opinion which holds that the neck area is also part of the beard, seemingly, even trimming this area would be forbidden according to the approach of the Tzemach Tzedek, unlike the explicit ruling of all the Poskim, including the Bach, who at most only prohibit a razor like shave and not a mere trim. Indeed, we find that the Tzemach Tzedek brings and discusses the opinion of the Bach with regards to the neck being an area of the beard, and hence if we conclude that the Tzemach Tzedek adopts the opinion of the Bach as the main halachic opinion in this matter, then it would likewise be prohibited to trim this area.

Indeed, Rav Eliyahu Landa Shlita, has confirmed that the long-standing tradition has always been to not even trim the hair that grows on the throat area, even though he does not have any explicit tradition in this matter.

However, even according to the above stringent approach of the Tzemach Tzedek and Arizal, seemingly it would only apply until the area of the Adam’s apple, as explicitly states the Bach that the fifth corner of the beard is exactly on the area which he calls the “Gargeres,” while below this area would not be part of the beard according to any opinion.

Accordingly, it ends up that there does exist room to be stringent following the rulings of the, Bach, Arizal, and Tzemach Tzedek, to not shave the area with a razor even for medicinal purposes, and according to the Arizal and Tzemach Tzedek, to not even trim the area even for medicinal purposes. Nonetheless, certainly one who is lenient has upon whom to rely as so is the mainstream approach in the Poskim that at least trimming is allowed even when not done for medicinal purposes and certainly when done for medicinal purposes.

Hence, we concluded above that one may trim the area for medicinal purposes although should avoid shaving to a razor like shave, even though one who chooses to do so has upon whom to rely.

Sources:

Permitted to shave neck area: Meiri Makos 20b “And so it is in practice every day, that even those who follow the custom never to shave with a razor at all, nevertheless trim the mustache and the lower part of the beard that connects to the neck without any hesitation.”; Hamanhig Dinei Giluach; Biur Hagra 181; See Machsheves Eitza Y.D. Peas Harosh p. 30

Forbidden to shave neck area: Rama Yoreh Deah 181:110 and 11 “even under the throat is forbidden” in continuation of words of Michaber ibid that “there are many opinions as to the location of the five corners of the beard and that therefore a God-fearing person should not shave with a razor any area of the beard at all”; Beis Yosef 181 in name of Rabbeinu Yona and Semag; Rabbeinu Chananel, brought in Tur 181 and Taz 181:4

Forbidden due to it being part of the beard: Rabbeinu Chananel, brought in Tur 181 and Taz 181:4; Bach 181

Forbidden due to it being crossdressing: Beis Yosef 181; Taz 181:4; Implication of Rama 181:10

Forbidden to even trim neck area to a razor like shave: Bach 181, brought in Shach 181:7; Sefer Zichronos p. 39, brought in Beir Heiytiv 181:5; See Tzemach Tzedek on Shas Makos 3 p. 318 4;  

Permitted to trim neck area if leave some hair close to skin: Bach 181, brought in Shach 181:7;

Permitted to even trim neck area with scissors to a razor like shave: Rama 181:10 “however it appears that under the neck there is no worry at all to give it a razor like shave using scissors since it’s not the main place of the corners of the beard”; Shach 181:7 in negation of Bach ibid, that main ruling follows Rama ibid;

Should not even trim neck area: Arizal, Shaar Hamitzvos Parshas Kedoshism, brought in Beir Heiiytiv 181:5

Prohibition of even trimming beard: Shut tzemach Tzedek Y.D. 98; Piskeiy Dinim Y.D. 181-182; Minchas Elazar 2:48; Darkei Teshuvah 181:17; Zohar 3:131

Shaving body hair for medical purposes: Michaber 182:4; Rashba; Shach 182:5

Summary

The question of removing hair from the throat/front of the neck (above the collarbone) is addressed in several halachic sources. The custom among Hasidim is to avoid shaving or trimming this area, as part of the broader practice of not cutting the beard. However, from the letter of the law, most authorities permit trimming this hair since it is not considered part of the beard proper. In cases of discomfort, hygiene issues, or similar concerns, leniency is allowed. Otherwise, the prevailing custom amongst Chassidim is to be stringent.

Table: Permitted vs. Forbidden