When to get a haircut

Getting a haircut-when?[1]

If one has long hair it is a Mitzvah to cut it [any day prior to Shabbos] in order so one not enter into Shabbos in disgrace. Furthermore, it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to cut the hair specifically on Erev Shabbos and not beforehand.[2] If however one will not have time to get a haircut on Erev Shabbos[3] then he is to do so on Thursday.[4]

 

Q&A

When should one have a haircut on Erev Shabbos?[5]

It is permitted to get a haircut throughout the entire Erev Shabbos, even past the time of Mincha. This applies even if one is giving a professional haircut and is doing so in exchange for payment, as it is recognizable to all that the haircut is being done in honor of Shabbos.[6]

Midday: [Despite the above ruling] the Arizal would refrain from cutting his hair after midday, and hence would only take a haircut before midday on Erev Shabbos.[7] Based on this, some Poskim[8] rule one is to beware to take a haircut prior to midday. Others[9] however rule that doing so is not required, and so is implied to be the opinion of Admur.[10] Furthermore, some[11] rule one is to try to have a haircut specifically past midday so it be recognizable he is doing so in honor of Yom Tov. Even according to the above stringent opinion, if one did not take a haircut prior to midday he may do so afterwards[12], although there are some that are stringent in such a case not to take a haircut.[13]

 

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[1] 260/1

[2] In order so it be evident that one is doing so for the honor of Shabbos. [ibid] If one has a valid reason for requiring a haircut during the week then he is not required to wait until Erev Shabbos. [Mahari Tzemach brought in Birkei Yosef 232/3; Kaf Hachaim 232/15]

[3] Due to being involved in the Shabbos preparations. [ibid]

[4]As one is to proximate the haircut as much as possible to Shabbos in order so it be evident that it is being done for the sake of Shabbos. [ibid] There is no custom against cutting the hair on Thursday, as there is with nails, being that hair grows back the same day as it is cut. [Kuntrus Achron 260/1] However the Taz [260/1] rules that hair also begins growing back on the 3^rd day as do nails and one is to thus avoid cutting them on Thursday.  The Kaf Hachaim 260/15 argues on this ruling.

[5]Admur 251/4; See Chapter 2 for the full details of this subject!

[6]The reason: See Chapter 2 for the full details of this subject!

[7]Custom of the Arizal brought in M”A 251/5

[8] Custom of the Arizal brought in M”A 251/5; Gr”a brought in AruchHashulchan 251/3; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128/15; Mateh Efraim 581/50; Mateh Efraim 625/11 “It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar…”; Alef Lamagen 581/108 “Is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar”; KafHachaim 260/13; 581/80 [proper to be stringent]

[9] So rules also Aruch Hashulchan 251/3; Alef Lamagen 581/108 rules that the above ruling to take a haircut prior to midday is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar and if one did not do so beforehand then he may do so until Mincha Ketana. [Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol on the wording “Mincha Ketana” as everyone agrees a haircut may be taken the entire day.

[10] 251/4

Background:

The Magen Avraham 251/5 records that the Arizal would not get a haircut past the time of Mincha Gedola [midday], based on Kabalistic reasons. Admur omitted this custom of the Arizal in 251. See Shaareiy Halacha Uminhag 1/130 that the Rebbe concludes regarding the time of cutting nails, which is similar to the time of the cutting of the hair, that he did not receive a directive in how to follow. The Aruch Hashulchan ibid states that the Gra is stringent against allowing haircuts past midday, although this is not the wordly custom.

[11] Based on Aruch Hashulchan 260/6; See also 251/3

[12]Mateh Efraim 625/11 “It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar…”; Alef Lamagen 581/108 rules that the above ruling to take a haircut prior to midday is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar and if one did not do so beforehand then he may do so until Mincha Ketana. [Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol on the wording “Mincha Ketana” as everyone agrees a haircut may be taken the entire day.]

[13]Mateh Efraim ibid based on Arizal that would refrain from cutting his hair after midday.