May a Gentile give one a haircut? May a gentile be honored to cut some of the hair, or finish off the haircut of the child?^[1]

Letter of law – General Halacha: [Due to reasons of danger] one is not to get a haircut from a Gentile unless one is in a public area or the gentile thinks that the individual is an important individual.[2] Furthermore, some are stringent even in a public area not to get a haircut from a Gentile if he is using a razor unless there are mirrors in the room.[3] Practically, the custom is like the first opinion[4] [to permit getting a haircut from a Gentile when one is in a public area even with a razor and even if there are no mirrors present[5]]. According to all opinions, it is permitted for one to get a haircut from a gentile using a scissor.[6] However, in a private area [that is not common for people to pass by, and certainly in area of actual Yichud[7]], it remains forbidden to get a haircut from a Gentile [even with a scissor[8]] due to worry of danger [unless another person is present[9]]. This applies even if one pays the Gentile barber for the haircut.[10] [Thus, one may not get a haircut from a Gentile barber who works from the privacy of his home which is not open to the public.] However, some Poskim[11] are lenient to permit even a private haircut by a Gentile in the event that he is being paid for the haircut.

Law of Kabballah:^[12] According to the Kabbalists one is to never get a haircut from a gentle, as a gentile is impure and the head of a Jew is pure and when a Gentile gives one a haircut it defiles his soul and removes his Tzelem Elokim. [If there are no Jewish barbers available, then he should recite the verse of “Vayivra Elokim Es Hadam Betzalmo” prior to the haircut and intend on G-d’s name Elokim with squares, throughout the haircut in order to prevent his Tzelem Elokim from leaving.]

Law by Upsherinish:[13] From the letter of the law, there is no prohibition against honoring a Gentile to cut some of the locks of hair of the child. Likewise, one may bring the child to a Gentile barber shop, or have a barber come to one’s home to finish the haircut. However, it is forbidden to have the haircut take place in the privacy of a Gentile’s home without anyone else present. Likewise, due to the reasons of Kabbalah, it is proper that at least by the first haircut which is done for the purpose of purity and the start of the child’s Jewish education, that it not be done at all by a Gentile.[14]

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[1] See Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 67:1; Nitei Gavriel 7:6

[2] Michaber Y.D. 156:1; Rambam Hilchos Rotzeiach Ushemiras Nefesh 12:aa; Chachamim in Mishneh Avoda Zara 27a; Shach 156:2

[3] Rama Y.D. 156:1; Tosafos Avoda 29a; Mordechai Avoda Zara Remez 816

[4] Rama ibid

[5] Shach 156:2

[6] Taz 156:1; Shach 256:1; Tosafos Avoda Zara 29a

[7] Shach 256:1; Bach 256; Tosafos Avoda Zara 29a

[8] Shach 156:1

[9] Shach 156:1

[10] Shach 156:2; Beir Heiytiv 156:2

[11] Derisha 156:1, based on Rama 155:1; Hagahos Ashri Avoda Zara 2:8; Beis Lechem Yehuda 156:1

[12] Mishnas Chassidim 5:2; Nagid Umitzvah; Lechem Min Hashamayim; Hagahos Marchu on Zohar Emor p. 104; Yesod Veshoresh Havoda Shemini 1; Yifei Laleiv 3 Y.D. 156; Darkei Teshuvah 156:4; Kaf Hachaim 260:13; Taamei Haminhagim Likkutim 9; Segulas Yisrael Mareches Gimel 28; Pela Yoeitz Eerech Giluach; Alef Hamagen on Mateh Efraim 581:105; Nitei Gavriel 7:6 footnote 7, Vetzaruch Iyun from Mordechai who had his hair cut by Haman!

[13] Nitei Gavriel 7:6-7

[14] Nechpah Bakesef 2:7; Sdei Chemed Mareches Chol Hamoed Hei