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2. Haircut:[1]
One may not cut hair throughout the three weeks.[2] [From the 17th of Tammuz until the week of Tisha B’av this matter is forbidden due to custom, while during the week of Tisha B’av it is forbidden from the letter of the law.[3]]
Body hair:[4] The prohibition against haircutting applies whether to the hair of the head, and whether to the hair of any other area of the body.
Mustache:[5] One may trim any mustache[6] hair that interferes with him eating. [This applies even during the week of Tisha B’av.[7] However, some Poskim[8] rule that during the week that Tisha B’av falls in, it is forbidden to trim any mustache hair, even if it interferes with food.]
Women: Some Poskim[9] rule a woman may cut her hair throughout the period of the three weeks.[10] However, other Poskim[11] rule a woman may not cut or shave any hair of her body throughout the three weeks, just as is the law by a man. Practically, we are stringent.[12] However, hair that is sticking out of a head covering of a married woman may be cut throughout the three weeks.[13] Likewise, she may cut hair for the sake of immersion in a Mikveh throughout the three weeks.[14] A wife may shave body hair for beauty purposes, to remain attractive to her husband, up until the week of Tisha B’av.[15] Similarly, some Poskim[16] rule that girls who are of shidduchim age may cut hair for beauty purposes, up until the week of Tisha B’av.[17]]
Children:[18] It is forbidden for an adult to cut a child’s hair.[19] [This applies even if the child is below the age of Chinuch.[20] Some Poskim[21] rule this applies throughout the three weeks. Other Poskim[22] rule it only applies the week of Tisha B’av. [Practically, in a case of need one may be lenient to do so.[23]]
Avel/Mourner:[24] If an Avel ended his Aveilus during the three weeks, he may cut his hair [even with scissors, up until to the week of Tisha B’av[25]]. On the week of Tisha B’av, he may cut it with a razor, although not with a scissor.
| Summary:
It is forbidden for Ashkenazi men, women and children, to cut any hair of the body throughout the three weeks, with exception to mustache hair that interferes with eating, and hair that is cut for Tznius, or Mikveh purposes and the like, as explained above. Q&A May a man trim his body hair? No, as explained above. May one brush his hair?[26] Some Poskim[27] rule it is forbidden to brush the hair during the three weeks. Other Poskim[28] rule it is permitted to do so. Practically, women may be lenient to do so[29], and the custom is to be lenient even for men.[30] May a woman pluck her eyebrows?[31] Yes. Sake of Mitzvah When is an Upshernish to take place for a child that was born during the three weeks?[32] A child who was born during the three weeks is to delay the Upshernish until after the three weeks. It is to take place on the 10th of Menachem Av, after midday.[33] However, all other customs relating to the Upshernish, such as wearing a Yarmulke and Tzitzis, saying morning blessings and the nighttime Shema, should already begin from when the child turns three years old.[34]
May a Baal Bris get a haircut?[35] Some[36] rule it is permitted for a Baal Bris to get a haircut even during the 9 days. Others[37] rule it is permitted only until the week of Tisha B’av. Other Poskim[38] rule it is permitted only until Rosh Chodesh Av. Other Poskim[39] rule it is forbidden throughout the entire three weeks. Practically, the custom is to allow it until the week of Tisha B’av.[40] The haircut may only be done on the day or night before the Bris.[41] If Tisha B’av falls on Shabbos, one may be lenient up until Tisha B’av.[42] Pidyon Haben and other Simchos:[43] The above leniency only applies to a Baal Bris, and not to any other Baal Simcha, even if one has a Pidyon Haben. May a boy get a haircut during the three weeks for the sake of his Bar Mitzvah?[44] Some Poskim[45] rule he may not get a haircut. Other Poskim[46] rule he may get a haircut until the week of Tisha B’av. Time of need May one fix a bad haircut?[47] If one began a haircut prior to the three weeks, then it is permitted to complete the haircut.
May one cut a child’s hair in order to remove gum that became stuck in it? Yes.[48] May one cut his hair as part of a medical treatment?[49] Yes. May one who is treating his hair for lice cut his hair?[50] Yes. May those permitted to take a haircut on Chol Hamoed also take a haircut during the three weeks? Some Poskim[51] rule it is permitted to do so. Others[52] however rule it is forbidden If one is having a very important meeting, may he get a haircut beforehand? Government officials:[53] If one’s hair looks unpresentable and he is meeting with high government officials, then if his presence in this manner will be taken offence, he may be lenient to cut his hair. This however is to only be done with the official permission of a Beis Din, having them first annul his vow of his custom. Business meeting:[54] If one’s hair looks unpresentable and is meeting with other businessmen, then if attending in this manner may sabotage the business deal and cause him a financial loss, he may be lenient to cut his hair. This however is to only be done with the official permission of a Beis Din, having them first annul his vow of his custom. |
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