Cutting the toenails:
A. Mitzvah of cutting Lekavod Shabbos:
Although it is a Mitzvah to cut one’s hand nails every Erev Shabbos[1], nevertheless, some Poskim[2] conclude that there is no Mitzvah or obligation to cut the toenails on before Shabbos in honor of Shabbos. Nevertheless, if the toenails appear long, then they are to be cut before Erev Shabbos, especially if one is accustomed to immersing in a Mikveh before Shabbos.[3] Furthermore, the Arizal was particular to cut both his hand and toenails in honor of Shabbos[4], and so can be implied from Admur[5] and other Poskim[6] that also the toenails should be cut in honor of Shabbos.
B. When to cut:
Friday: As stated above, there is no obligation to cut the toenails on Erev Shabbos. Furthermore, those who are particular to not cut the hand and toenails on the same day[7], as is the accepted custom[8], are to specifically not cut the toenails on Friday, being that one needs to cut his hand nails on Erev Shabbos.[9]
Thursday: Some[10] are cautious to avoid cutting their nails on any weekday other than Erev Shabbos or Erev Yom Tov. They thus cut their hand nails only on Friday and their toenails [only] on Thursday.[11] However on other days, they do not cut their nails at all due to reasons known to them [based on Kabala].[12] However, others[13] are particular to not cut the nails on Thursday.[14] [Thus beginning from Wednesday night one should not cut his nails.] However, it is unclear if those which avoid cutting nails on Thursday are only particular regarding the hand nails or even regarding the toenails.[15]
Thursday night: Some[16] permit to cut the toenails at night and the hand nails the next day however others[17] rule this is not to be done being that it is considered the same day, and so seems to be the opinion of Admur.[18] Thus, one should avoid cutting the toenails on Thursday night, being that he needs to cut the hand nails on Friday.[19]
Wednesday night: Wednesday night follows the same law as Thursday day regarding cutting g the hand and toenails, as explained above.
Before Wednesday night: Some[20] are cautious to avoid cutting their nails on any weekday other than Erev Shabbos or Erev Yom Tov. They thus cut their hand nails only on Friday and their toenails on Thursday, as stated above. However on other days, they do not cut their nails at all due to reasons known to them [based on Kabala]. [Others[21], however, are accustomed to allow the cutting of nails on other days of the week if he chooses not to wait until Friday. Thus, one may cut the toenails any time before Wednesday night if one is particular to not cut them on Thursday, and not cut them on the same day as the hand nails.]
C. Must one skip a nail also when cutting the toenails?[22]
Although regarding hand nails it is proper to initially be careful not to cut the nails one finger after the other[23], nevertheless, this cautiousness is only relevant to the hand nails, however, by the toenails there is no need to be careful to skip a nail in between.[24]
D. Washing one’s hands after toenail cutting:[25]
One is to wash his hands [immediately[26]] after cutting his nails.[27] This applies to both one’s hand and toenails.[28]
Washing the feet: Some have the custom of washing the feet after cutting the toenails.[29] This however is not the widespread practice.[30]
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[1] Admur 260:1; Michaber 260:1; Kol Bo 35; Rabbeinu Yonah Hayirah 309; Sefer Chassidim 58
[2] Ketzos Hashulchan 73 footnote 4
The reason: As the hand nails look repulsive when they are long. However, the toenails which are not visible are not considered a Mitzvah to be cut Erev Shabbos. [Ketzos Hashulchan 73 footnote 4]
[3] Mateh Efraim 625:13 regarding Yom Tov that they should be cut two days before [so one not cut them and the hand nails on the same day], although perhaps this is due to Chatzitza before Mikveh, as it’s a Mitzvah for one to be Mitaher himself before the Regel, and hence would not apply to Erev Shabbos. However, seemingly the custom of the Arizal refers to even Erev Shabbos, and hence his statement in Alef Lamateh would imply that whenever one goes to Mikveh, such as Erev Shabbos, the toenails should always be cut. Vetzaruch Iyun. From Ketzos Hashulchan ibid it is implied that even if the toenails are long there is no need to cut them.
[4] Kaf Hachaim 250:17
[5] Admur 260:1 does not limit the Mitzvah to hand nails and writes Stam “nails.” Likewise, Admur 260:2 and the M”A 260 and Maggid Meisharim Mishleiy 23:6, brings the custom to cut the nails only on Erev Shabbos and Erev Yom Tov and to not cut them on the same day, and therefore they write to cut the toenails on Thursday and hand nails on Friday, hence implying that the toenails are also included in the Mitzvah.
[6] M”A 260; Maggid Meisharim Mishleiy 23:6
[7] Admur 260:2; M”A 260; Olas Shabbos 260:1; Maggid Meisharim Mishleiy 23:6
Other opinions-Custom of Arizal: The Arizal was not careful to avoid cutting the hand and toenails on the same day. [Machazik Bracha 260 in name of Rav Shmuel Vital in name of his father Rav Chaim Vital; Shaareiy Teshuvah 260; Mateh Efraim 625:13 in Alef Lamateh 21; Ketzos Hashulchan 73 footnote 5] Accordingly, some Poskim rule that there is no need to be particular in this matter. [Machazik Bracha ibid, brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah ibid]
[8] Mateh Efraim 606:8; 625:13 and Alef Lamateh 21; Likkutei Maharich; Darkei Chaim Veshalom 353; Siddur Reb Shabsi; Ketzos Hashulchan 73 footnote 5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 260:8
[9] 1st custom in Admur 260:2; M”A ibid; Maggid Meisharim ibid
[10] 1st custom in Admur 260:2; M”A ibid; Maggid Meisharim ibid
[11] The reason: Being that the hand and toenails are not to be cut the same day, as will be explained, therefore they cut the toenails on Thursday rather than Friday. Thus, this custom seemingly does not hold of the custom to avoid cutting nails on Thursday. [Kitzur Hilchos Shabbos 260] Perhaps however one can say that this custom of avoiding cutting the nails on Thursday only applies to the hand nails being that they are visible. However, the toenails which are not visible, and thus there is no Mitzvah to cut them before Shabbos, then likewise there is no issue if they are cut on Thursday. Practically the M”B 260:6 rules that this is the custom that one is to follow.
[12] Admur ibid; M”A ibid; Maggid Meisharim ibid
[13] 2nd opinion in Admur ibid; Rashal; Mateh Moshe 411; Taz 260:1; M”A 260
Other opinions: The Aruch Hashulchan [260:6] argues against this custom. Likewise, he writes that all these cautions mentioned by nails are not required by the letter of the law, and one who is not particular in them, has not done any transgression.
[14] The reason: As the nails begin growing on the 3rd day after being cut and hence if they are cut on Thursday they will begin growing on Shabbos, thus some avoid cutting it on Thursday. [Admur ibid] Now, although there is no prohibition involved if the nails begin growing back on Shabbos, nevertheless it is not respectful that the nails which one ridded himself of in honor of Shabbos begins growing back on Shabbos. [Machatziz Hashekel 260:1; M”B 260:6 in name of Elya Raba] The above applies only to nails however a haircut may be given on Thursday being that hair begins to grow back that same day. [Kuntrus Achron 260:1]
Regarding if also the toenails are not to be cut on Thursday according to this opinion: Perhaps one can say that this custom only applies to the hand nails being that they are visible. However, the toenails which are not visible, and thus there is no Mitzvah to cut them before Shabbos, then likewise there is no issue if they are cut on Thursday. Practically the M”B 260:6 rules that one is to cut the toe nails on Thursday. However, the wording of Admur seems to imply that they avoid cutting all nails on Thursday. Vetzaruch Iyun.
[15] Perhaps one can say that this custom only applies to the hand nails being that they are visible. However, the toenails which are not visible, and thus there is no Mitzvah to cut them before Shabbos, then likewise there is no issue if they are cut on Thursday. Practically the M”B 260:6 rules that one is to cut the toe nails on Thursday. However, the wording of Admur seems to imply that they avoid cutting all nails on Thursday. Vetzaruch Iyun.
[16] Mila Dechassidusa on Tzavah, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 260 footnote 84 that the night does not follow the previous day or the following day
[17] See Ashel Avraham which suggests at first that the night has no relation to the day in this regard. However later he mentions that the night goes after the next day and not the previous day. So rules also Ashel Avraham Tinyana in 260 that the night goes after the day and one is to beware from cutting on Thursday night, as well as on Thursday.
[18] So is also implied from Admur 260:2 and M”A and Maggid Meisharim ibid who do not mention to cut the toenails on Thursday night rather than Thursday.
[19] Ashel Avraham Tinyana in 260
[20] 1st custom in Admur 260:2; M”A ibid; Maggid Meisharim ibid
[21] So rule regarding not cutting on Thursday: Opinion in Admur ibid; Rashal; Mateh Moshe 411; Taz 260:1; M”A 260, and it is implied that this opinion is only particular regarding Thursday, however they allow one to cut the nails on Wednesday or another day of the week. See however Peri Megadim 260 M”Z 1 who brings the Elyah Raba who learns that this opinion holds that even before Thursday the nails are not to be cut, as then certainly one will have grown nails by Shabbos. This understanding however requires further analysis as if so then what is the dispute between this opinion and the previous opinion. Accordingly, they both hold the nails are to only be cut on Erev Shabbos. This is besides the fact that this is not the simple implication of Admur, and does not fit in with the explanation of the Machatzis Hashekel [260-brought in the footnotes to follow] behind the stringency.
[22] Ketzos Hashulchan 73 footnote 7
[23] Admur 260:3 records a difference of opinion regarding this matter: Some are cautious to skip a nail when cutting their nails. [Hamussar; Abudarham; Rama 260:1] Others [Arizal/Tashbatz brought in Taz 260:2 and M”A 260:1] however belittle this custom. Admur concludes: Nevertheless, it is good for one to initially be cautious in this matter. [Admur ibid as rules M”A 260:1]
The reason: As they believe that doing so brings one towards forgetfulness, causes one to bury his children, and brings one to poverty. [Admur ibid; See Ateres Zekeinim 241]
[24] Ketzos Hashulchan 73 footnote 7
[25] Admur Kama 4:18; Michaber 4:18; Kol Bo 23; Abudarham [end of Sefer] in name of Tashbatz
[26] Magen Avraham and Peri Megadim 4:18. Vetzaruch Iyun as Admur omitted this.
[27] The reason: This is due to that impurity resides upon the hands after cutting the nails. This applies according to all opinions. Ben Ish Chaiy Toldos 17 writes the main impurity resides upon cutting nails that have grown past the end of the finger.
[28] Migdal Oaz [Yaavetz]; Perisha 241; Ketzos Hashulchan 2:11 footnote 27; Supplements p. 82
[29] Ashel Avraham Butchach 551
[30] Likkutei Mahrich Seder Erev Shabbos
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