Removing white hairs:[1]
It is [Biblically[2]] forbidden for a man to remove even a single white hair from amongst black hairs [so he does not appear old[3]] due to the prohibition of “Lo Yilbash Gever Simlas Isha.”[4] [One who does so is liable for lashes.[5] This applies to the hair of the head or beard.[6] This applies even if one has many white hairs and only removes one white hair from among the many.[7] If however one removes the hair for non-beauty purposes, then he is not liable for Lo Yilbash.[8]]
On Shabbos:[9] On Shabbos, one who gathers white [hairs] from amongst black hairs so he does not appear old, even if he removes one hair, is liable [for a sin offering due to the Melacha of Gozez]. This is in addition to the prohibition against “a man wearing the garment of a woman.” [If however, one removes the hair for non-beauty purposes, then he is not liable for Lo Yilbash, and is also not liable for Gozez unless he removes two hairs.[10]]
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Q&A May one remove white hair from black hairs for non-beauty purposes?[11] May one remove white hairs from amongst black hairs if the custom in his country is also for men to do so?[12] May one remove white hairs from amongst black if he feels ashamed of walking around with white hairs? May one cut his white hairs together with his black hairs?[15] May one comb his hair, or play with his hair, if it may cause white hairs to come out? May one have a gentile remove the white hairs from the black hairs?[19] May one hide a white hair amongst black hairs?[20] May one trim a white hair from amongst black hairs?[21] May one remove white hairs from his eyebrow?[22] May one remove white hairs from his nose canal?[23] May one remove a black hair from amongst white hairs?[24] |
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[1] Michaber O.C. 340/1; Y.D. 182/6; Admur 340/1; Shabbos 94b; Makos 20b
[2] Rambam Avoda Zara 10; Beis Yosef 182 that one who does so is liable; Beir Hagoleh
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that removing a white hair is only Rabbinically forbidden. [Ravad, on Rambam ibid; Shoel Umeishiv Kama 1/210; See Darkei Teshuvah 182/17]
[3] Admur ibid; Rashi Shabbos ibid; Rivan Shabbos ibid; See Ketzos Hashulchan 143 footnote 3; Igros Kodesh 1/10
[4] This verse is translated in Targum as “A man may not adorn himself with the adornments of women.” [Admur ibid]
[5] Rambam ibid; Beis Yosef 182
[6] Beis Yosef 182 that the hair of the head and beard is included in the Biblical prohibition
[7] Beis Yosef 182
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that removing a white hair is only forbidden when all the white hairs are removed. [Ravad, brought in Beis Yosef ibid]
[8] See Q&A
[9] Admur ibid; Michaber O.C. ibid; Shabbos ibid
[10] Ketzos Hashulchan ibid
[11] Implication of Admur ibid and Rishonim ibid; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid based on Admur ibid and Michaber Y.D. 182/4 and Tosafus Shabbos 50b
[12] Shevet Halevi 3/111; Lehorors Nasan 2/70; See Igros Kodesh 6/268, [printed in Shulchan Menachem 4/133]
[13] Ketzos Hashulchan ibid based on Admur ibid and Michaber Y.D. 182/4 and Tosafus Shabbos 50b; Shoel Umeishiv Kama 1/210; Beir Moshe 8/8-6
[14] Mahariy Ashkenazi 19; See Divrei Chaim 2/62
[15] Divrei Chaim 2/62; See Darkei Teshuvah 186/17; Beir Sarim 6/60
[16] The reason: As the prohibition only applies when one removes the hairs due to beauty purposes.
[17] Halachos Ketanos 2/258; Agua Beahalecha p. 58, brought in Darkei Teshuvah 182/16
[18] Maharam Shick Y.D. 172
[19] Maharsham 2/243
[20] Kerem Shlomo 20-4; Shevet Hakehasi 2/257; Beri Sarim 60/7; Chayeh Halevi 6/127-3
[21] See Ohalei Yaakov p. 330; Shevet Hakehasi 6/307
[22] See Avnei Yashpa 6/118; Ohel Yaakov p. 331
[23] See Shevet Hakehasi 1/231; Ohel Yaakov p. 331
[24] Shevet Hakehasi 6/307; See Darkei Teshuvah 182/17; Ohel Yaakov p. 327
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