Trimming the mustache during the three weeks & throughout the year

May one trim his mustache?

During the regular year:

Many Poskim[1] and Kaballists[2] rule that one is obligated to cut the mustache hairs that interfere with ones food.[3] Nevertheless, there are communities that are accustomed not to trim any facial hair, including the mustache hairs that interfere with food.[4] The Rebbe answered that with regards to cutting the mustache there are sides to say it is permitted and sides to say it is forbidden and one should therefore ask Rabbanei Anash.[5]

During the three weeks [and period of Sefira]:[6]

One may trim any mustache[7] hair that interferes with him eating. [One may not trim past this point. This applies even during the week of Tisha B’av.[8] However, some Poskim[9] 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.]

During Sefira:^[10] It is permitted during Sefira to trim the mustache hairs that are getting in the way of one’s food.

During Chol Hamoed:[11]

It is permitted for any man to shave his mustache on Chol Hamoed.[12] It is permitted to do so even in public.[13] [One may cut the mustache either with a scissor or with a razor.[14] One may cut the mustache even if it is not interfering with one’s eating.[15]]

During Aveilus:

During Shiva:[16] It is forbidden to trim mustache[17] during Shiva even if it interferes with eating.

During Shloshim and year of Aveilus:[18] After the conclusion of Shiva, it is permitted to trim the mustache[19] hair that interferes with eating.

On Rosh Chodesh?

Seemingly one may not trim the mustache on Chol Hamoed. Vetzaruch Iyun.

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[1] Moed Katan 18a; 531:8 regarding Chol Hamoed; 551/13 regarding three weeks; Yoreh Deah 390/1 regarding Avel; Shulchan Gavoa Yoreh Deah 181/17, brought in Zivcheiy Tzedek 181; Darkei Teshuvah 181/22; Yosef Ometz Dinei Peios; Yifei Laleiv 3/181; Ben Ish Chaiy in Torah Leshma 391;  See Sefer “Hadras Pnei Zakein” Chapter 11 p. 508 and 773

[2] Zohar Idra Raba 134a; Custom of Arizal mentioned in Shaar Hamitzvos Parshas Kedoshim, Taamei Hamitzvos Parshas Kedoshim “He would only cut the area of the mustache that prevents eating”, Likkutei Torah Kedoshim and many other Sefarim; Emek Hamelech Shaar Reisha 61; See Sefer “Hadras Pnei Zakein” Chapter 11 p. 508

[3] The reason: 1) As this causes one to stumble in eating meat and milk due to remnant that remain by his mustache hairs. [Shulchan Gavoa] 2) As this is the ways of the gentiles, and makes one look like a thug. [ibid]; 3) As this prevents one from articulating his prayers properly. [Emek Hamelech ibid; Yifei Lalev ibid] 3) As this prevents one from eating properly which causes a blemish above. [Ben Ish Chaiy ibid] 4) As the hairs that interfere are considered putrid and they blemish the food. [Yaavetz]

[4] See Daas Moshe p. 242; Sefer “Hadras Pnei Zakein” p. 774 and the testimony of Rav Groner in next footnote

[5] Igros Kodesh 19/422 [printed in Shulchan Menachem 4/36 p. 133]

Rabbi Ashkenazi’s reply to my query: The answer I [i.e. the author] received to this question from Rav Mordechai Ashkenazi, the Rav of Kfar Chabad, is that one may trim the mustache hairs that are in the way of food. [The question was asked as follows: “Is there any Hiddur involved not to cut the mustache even if it is in the way of food?”]

Rabbi Leibal Groners reply to my query: “The Rebbe never trimmed his mustache, neither did any of the Elder Chassidim or even young ones. there were individuals that did but a very small number.”

[6] Michaber 551:13; Tur in name of Ramban

A Mohel: A Mohel may trim any hair that interferes with Metzitza. [Kaf Hachaim 551:172 in name of Ikarei Hadaat 27:11]

[7] Michaber ibid simply writes hair of the beard that interferes with eating. However, we are accustomed to forbid cutting any hair of the beard other than the mustache.

[8] So is clearly understood from Michaber ibid who in the previous Halacha regarding haircuts only prohibits it on the week of Tisha B’av, and on this he states that trimming the mustache is permitted; Lechem Hapanim 122:3 in opinion of Michaber; Kneses Hagedola 551:13; Mateh Yehuda; Mamar Mordechai 551:12; Kaf Hachaim 551:170

The reason: As the week of Tisha B’av is similar to Shloshim, and not to Shiva. [Poskim ibid] And during Shloshim it is permitted to trim the mustache. [Michaber Y.D. 390:1; Maharitz Geios brought in Tur 390]

[9] Kitzur SHU”A 122:4; Ateres Zikeinim 551:13 that according to the Rambam and Raavad, brought in Shach 390:1 and Beir Hagoleh 390, and so rules Beis Yosef 390, that even within Shloshim it is forbidden to trim the mustache

[10] Michaber 551:13 regarding the three weeks; It is unclear if this allowance applies even according to those who follow the Kabbalistic ruling not to cut their hair throughout the Sefirah. [See Peri Eitz Chaim 22:7; Shaar Hakavanos 86; Nehar Shalom 25; Igeres Ramaz 2; Birkeiy Yosef 493:6; Moreh Baetzba 8:221; Minchas Elazar 4:44; brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 493:8; Kaf Hachaim 493:13; See also 493:7]

[11] Michaber 531:8; Moed Katan 18b

[12] Michaber ibid

[13] Rama ibid in name of Mordechai

[14] M”B 531:21 in name of Achronim

[15] M”B 531:21 in name of Achronim

[16] Michaber 390:1

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one may cut mustache hair that interferes with eating even during Shiva. [Biur Hagr”a; Ramban, brought in Shaar Hatziyon 551:90]

[17] The Michaber ibid states “the Safam or sides” this refers to the mustache in total, as the Safam refers to the hair that grows directly above the lips while the sides refer to the mustache hair that grows to the side of the lips. [Beis Yosef 390 in name of Ramban; Pnei Baruch 19 footnote 4]

[18] Michaber 390:1; Maharitz Geios brought in Tur 390; Ramban; Chochmas Adam 165:25; See Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 3:28

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one may not trim mustache hair even after Shiva, within Shloshim, even if it interferes with the food. [Rambam and Raavad, brought in Shach 390:1 and Beir Hagoleh ibid; Beis Yosef 390 rules like Rambam and Rif and the Shach and Beir Hagoleh ibid thus question why in the Shulchan Aruch he ruled differently; See also Ateres Zekeinim O.C. 551:13]

[19] The Michaber ibid states “the Safam or sides” this refers to the mustache in total, as the Safam refers to the hair that grows directly above the lips while the sides refer to the mustache hair that grows to the side of the lips. [Beis Yosef 390 in name of Ramban; Pnei Baruch 19 footnote  4]

[20] Oar Letziyon 2/44-5; Halichos Shlomo 2/10