11. Cutting nails:[1]

It is forbidden for an Avel to cut his nails with a vessel [i.e. knife or scissor or nail clipper] during Shiva, up until the Shloshim.[2] [This applies to the nails of both the hands and the feet.[3] This applies for both a man and woman.[4] This applies even against having another person cut ones nails for him.[5] This applies even against cutting a single nail.[6] It is permitted for all mourners to cut the nails after Shloshim, as explained in Chapter 23 Halacha 11.]

Cutting using one’s hands or teeth:[7] It is permitted to cut one’s nails [without an instrument such as through] using one’s hands or teeth. This applies even during Shiva.

Woman preparing for Mikveh:[8] A woman who is going to Mikveh between the Shiva and Shloshim is to have a gentile woman cut her nails with a razor or scissor [or any instrument, such as a nail cutter]. She is not to cut the nails using her teeth or hands.[9] She may not have a Jewish woman cut the nails for her.[10] Some Poskim[11] however rule that one may even have a Jewish woman cut the nails for her.[12] Other Poskim[13] rule that she may even cut the nails herself.[14] [Practically, if it is difficult to have the nails cut through another person she may cut them herself and so is the widespread custom.[15]]

May a Mohel cut his nails during Shloshim?[16] It is permitted for the Mohel to cut the nails [that are used during the Mila[17], even with a vessel[18]] during Shloshim for the sake of performing a Mila. [If, however, there is another Mohel available then it is forbidden for him to cut his nails.[19] Some Poskim[20] however are lenient to allow the Mohel to cut his nails after Shiva, within Shloshim, even if there is another Mohel available.]

Erev Shabbos end of Shloshim:[21] In the event that the Shloshim falls on Shabbos, and the 29th day is on Erev Shabbos, it nevertheless remains forbidden to cut one’s nails, even on Erev Shabbos.

[1] Michaber 390:7; Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 chapter 7

[2] The reason: Just as it is forbidden for an Avel to cut his hair during the Shloshim so too it is forbidden for him to cut his nails during the Shloshim. [Michaber ibid]

[3] Moed Katan 18a; Beir Hagoleh ibid

[4] Michaber ibid regarding Mikveh

Why by cutting hair are we more lenient for women: See Beir Hagoleh ibid regarding why cutting hair is are more lenient for women than cutting nails. See Nodah Beyehuda 99 [brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 390] who questions this answer of the Beir Hagoleh; See Taz 3909:2 who questions the Michaber on this and uses this to rule that in truth a woman may cut her nails regularly for Mikveh; See Shach 390 in Nekudos Hakesef who answers the question of the Taz ibid saying that haircutting cannot be done without a Shinuiy while nail cutting can.

[5] Birkeiy Yosef 390:6

[6] Nitei Gavriel 7:1

[7] Michaber ibid

[8] Michaber ibid; See Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:10

[9] The reason: As doing so does not completely remove the nail. [Michaber ibid]

[10] Shach 390:4; Implication of Michaber ibid

The reason: As having a Jewish woman cut it is considered Lifnei Iver, as she is also commanded not to cut the nails of an Avel. However, a gentile is not commanded against cutting the nails of an Avel and asking her to do so is merely a Shevus of Amira Lenachri, and the Sages permitted Amira Lenachri in a case of a Mitzvah. [Shach ibid]

[11] Rama ibid; Chochmas Adam 165:30 and Kitzur SHU”A 211:13 permit in a time of need

[12] The reason: As the main idea is that the nails be removed with a Shinuiy, and this is accomplished by having another woman remove them irrelevant of her Jewishness. [Taz 390:2]

[13] Taz 390:2 “We have not seen women accustomed to cut their nails through others within the Shloshim”; See Nodah Beyehuda 99, brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 390; See Poskim brought in Pnei Baruch 19 footnote 21 and Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:10 footnote 15 that the custom is like Taz

[14] The reason: As a) Women may cut their hair after Shiva according to the Michaber and why should nails be any different? [Taz ibid; See Beir Hagoleh ibid; Nodah Beyehuda 99, brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 390] B) Even according to the Rama who prohibits women from cutting hair during Shloshim, a Mohel may cut his nails for the sake of a Bris [Rama 393:2], and why should this case of a need of a Mitzvah be any different [Taz ibid] The Shach in Nekudos Hakesef 390 explains that these reasons are not correct and in truth she may only cut her nails through a Gentile woman.

[15] Chochmas Adam 165:30; Aruch Hashulchan 390:6; Daas Torah 390 in name of Ikarei Daat 36:55, in name of Chaim Sheol 1:2; Poskim brought in Pnei Baruch 19 footnote 21 and Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:10 that the custom is like the Taz ibid for her to cut the nails herself

[16] Rama 393:3 regarding Shiva if there is no other Mohel available; See Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:11

[17] See Nekudos Hakesef 390 that this applies only to the two side fingers near the thumb which are used for the Mila

[18] Panim Meiros 3:57; Pischeiy Teshuvah 393:4

[19] Rama ibid regarding Shiva; Elya Raba 551:28; Rav Akiva Eiger 393; Gilyon Maharsha 393; Kitzur SHU”A 211:13

[20] P”M 551 M”Z 13; Bigdei Yesha 551

[21] Panim Meiros 2:148; Gilyon Maharsha 400

[22] Daas Torah 390 in name of Shvus Yaakov 3:100; Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:4

[23] Daas Torah 390:7; Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:5

[24] Daas Torah 390:6; Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:13

[25] Zera Emes 2:153; Misgeres Hashulchan 390; See Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:6

[26] Panim Meiros 2:148; Pischeiy Teshuvah 390:5; Sefer Haparnes 220

[27] Nitei Gavriel 2 7:7 in name of Mateh Ephraim 625:13; Devar Moshe 3:21; Daas Kedoshim 399:4

[28] Sdei Chemed 64; Pnei Baruch 19:8; Nitei Gavriel 124:11; 2 7:8

[29] Poskim in Sdei Chemed 64; Pnei Baruch 19:8; Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 7:9

[30] Ben Ish Chaiy Devarim 13