Dose of Halacha

Question: I have been invited to a chasuna during the omer. Can I attend even if I am observing that 'half', and can I shave? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 493:1) writes that R’ Akiva’s students died during the omer (See Yevamos 62b). Therefore, we observe certain mourning practices during the omer , including no haircuts. There are different minhagim as to which ’half of the Sefira’ to observe. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 493:2) writes that one should observe from the beginning until after Lag B’Omer, while the Rema allows one to take a haircut on Lag B’Omer. Others observe the ‘second half’, from Rosh Chodesh Iyar until Shavuos (See Rema OC 493:3; Magen Avraham 493:5). The Mishna Berura (493:14; Biur Halacha 493:3) explains that while there are different reasons for each of these minhagim¸ regardless, everybody observes these mourning practices for thirty-three days. However, some avoid taking haircuts throughout the omer except on erev Shavuos (See Shaarei Teshuva 493...

Question: Is it appropriate to shave before shacharis ? Answer: The Mishna (Shabbos 9b) writes that one mustn’t cut one’s hair before davening mincha as we are concerned that they will forget to daven. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 89:7) writes that this prohibition does not extend to before shacharis as it isn’t common for people to have a haircut so early in the morning (See Rambam, Tefilla 6:7). Nonetheless, the Elya Rabba (89:12) explains that this refers to the time before alos hashachar. All work, including haircuts, is forbidden after that time before one davens. Thus, the Mishna Berura (89:36) writes that one can’t have a haircut after alos hashachar before shacharis. He concedes, however, that it is sufficient to just say the birchos hashachar first for activities that one regularly gets up early to perform. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 2:7) writes that one shouldn’t shave before shacharis as it is no different from taking a haircut (See Oh...

Question: How long and thick must my sideburns be? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (YD 181:9) writes that the area of peyos is across from the hair of the forehead, until below the ear where the lower jaw extends. The acharonim debate these exact parameters. R’ Yaakov Kaminetzky (quoted by R’ Yisroel Belsky, Shulchan Halevi p122) explains that the upper limit of the peyos begins at the highest point of the hairline as it arches over the ear and extends in a slightly curved line across to where the hairline of the forehead turns sharply downwards towards the sideburns. All the hair from the imaginary line that connect these two points and below comprises the peyos (See Leshichno Sidrashu p269). While many let their sideburns grow until the bottom of their ear, R’ Aryeh Lebowitz (YUTorah.org, Halachos of Peyos Harosh ) writes that many poskim understand the Shulchan Aruch to be referring to below the ear canal (See Az Nidberu 3:45:7). Thus one should leave them to at least the bone...

Question: Is one allowed to shave on chol hamoed ? Answer: The Mishna teaches that chazal instituted that one must not take a haircut on chol hamoed to ensure that one does so before Yom Tov. Thus, Rambam (Yom Tov 7:17) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 531:2) write that one must not take a haircut on chol hamoed even if one took a haircut beforehand. Only one who was unable to do so due to being imprisoned, etc. would be permitted to do so now. The Tur (OC 531:1) quotes Rabbeinu Tam who writes that since the Mishna’s reason for the prohibition is to ensure that people will take a haircut before Yom Tov, if one did in fact have a haircut beforehand, they may do so again on chol hamoed . Nonetheless, the Tur explains why other rishonim disagree. Firstly, the Gemara does not make any such exception. Additionally, others will not know that he shaved before Yom Tov. The Noda Biyehuda ( OC 1:13 ; 2:99-101) wrote that it is permissible to employ a barber on chol hamoed if they were des...