Sefirat HaOmer: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
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# It is permissible to comb hair even if some hairs will be removed in the process. <ref> Mishna Brurah 551:20 </ref> | # It is permissible to comb hair even if some hairs will be removed in the process. <ref> Mishna Brurah 551:20 </ref> | ||
===Shaving=== | ===Shaving=== | ||
# Included in the minhag not to take hair cuts is not to shave. <ref> Tur 493 says that some have the custom "lo lihistaper." Masekhet Semachot (7:11) in regards to [[mourning]] writes that lihistaper means to cutting the hair of one's head, mustache, beard, and all other hair. Nitei Gavriel ([[Pesach]] vol 3, 49:2) and Chazon Ovadyah (p. 262) write that including in the minhag not to take a hair cut is not to shave.</ref> Some authorities permitted someone who shaves daily after having waited 3 or 5 days of not [[shaving]] to shave during the Sefira. <ref> Rav Soloveitchik (cited by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav pg 191-2) compared the Sefira to the 12 months of [[mourning]] in which a person who shaves daily may shave after waiting a few days. Rav Soloveitchik felt that this was the case because all customs have to be based on some opinion or patterned after another halacha. Therefore, he argues that the [[mourning]] of the Omer is parallel to the [[mourning]] during the year of [[mourning]] for a parent. Therefore since the halacha says that it is permissible to shave during the year once one's friends scold him to tell him that his hair is too long ("ad she-yig'aru bo chaveirav": Moed Katan 22b, Rambam Hilkhot Evel 6:3), it would be permissible during the omer also. | # Included in the minhag not to take hair cuts is not to shave. <ref> Tur 493 says that some have the custom "lo lihistaper." Masekhet Semachot (7:11) in regards to [[mourning]] writes that lihistaper means to cutting the hair of one's head, mustache, beard, and all other hair. Nitei Gavriel ([[Pesach]] vol 3, 49:2) and Chazon Ovadyah (p. 262) write that including in the minhag not to take a hair cut is not to shave.</ref> Some authorities permitted someone who shaves daily after having waited 3 or 5 days of not [[shaving]] to shave during the Sefira.<ref> Rav Soloveitchik (cited by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav pg 191-2) compared the Sefira to the 12 months of [[mourning]] in which a person who shaves daily may shave after waiting a few days. Rav Soloveitchik felt that this was the case because all customs have to be based on some opinion or patterned after another halacha. Therefore, he argues that the [[mourning]] of the Omer is parallel to the [[mourning]] during the year of [[mourning]] for a parent. Therefore since the halacha says that it is permissible to shave during the year once one's friends scold him to tell him that his hair is too long ("ad she-yig'aru bo chaveirav": Moed Katan 22b, Rambam Hilkhot Evel 6:3), it would be permissible during the omer also. | ||
* Rav Schachter ([http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/733780/rabbi-hershel-schachter/hilchos-chol-hamoed/ “Hilchos Chol HaMoed”], min 67-70) clarified that not [[shaving]] for 3 or 5 days is sufficient. Rabbi Willig (“Hilchos [[Pesach]] and Sefira#1”, min 85-90) also quotes Rav Soloveitchik. Rav Aharon Lictenstein [http://vbm-torah.org/archive/halak65/24halak.htm vbm.org] says that it is even an obligation to shave for kavod [[shabbat]] on Friday incorporating Rav Soloveitchik's approach. </ref> | * Rav Schachter ([http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/733780/rabbi-hershel-schachter/hilchos-chol-hamoed/ “Hilchos Chol HaMoed”], min 67-70) clarified that not [[shaving]] for 3 or 5 days is sufficient. Rabbi Willig (“Hilchos [[Pesach]] and Sefira#1”, min 85-90) also quotes Rav Soloveitchik. Rav Aharon Lictenstein [http://vbm-torah.org/archive/halak65/24halak.htm vbm.org] says that it is even an obligation to shave for kavod [[shabbat]] on Friday incorporating Rav Soloveitchik's approach. </ref> | ||
# Many Sephardic authorities are lenient regarding shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it causes one pain not to shave, however, Ashekanzic authorities seem not to accept such a leniency.<ref> | # Many Sephardic authorities are lenient regarding shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it causes one pain not to shave, however, Ashekanzic authorities seem not to accept such a leniency.<ref> | ||
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* However, Piskei Shemuot (p. 62) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that nowadays it is forbidden to shave for [[parnasa]] because it’s not considered strange to go unshaven. </ref> | * However, Piskei Shemuot (p. 62) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that nowadays it is forbidden to shave for [[parnasa]] because it’s not considered strange to go unshaven. </ref> | ||
# Many authorities hold that one is not permitted to shave during his custom of sefira in order to look presentable for a date. <Ref> [http://thehalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Vol5Issue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] quoting Rav Belsky, Piskei Shmuos (pg 62-63) quoting Rav Elyashiv </ref> | # Many authorities hold that one is not permitted to shave during his custom of sefira in order to look presentable for a date. <Ref> [http://thehalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Vol5Issue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] quoting Rav Belsky, Piskei Shmuos (pg 62-63) quoting Rav Elyashiv </ref> | ||
# It is permitted to trim one's beard during sefira if it is interfering with eating.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 531:13 permits trimming one's mustache during the shevua shechal bo and nine days if it is interfering with one's eating. Piskei Teshuvot 493:7 writes that the same should apply to sefirat haomer. Nitai Gavriel Pesach v. 3 p. 280 | # It is permitted to trim one's beard during sefira if it is interfering with eating.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 531:13 permits trimming one's mustache during the shevua shechal bo and nine days if it is interfering with one's eating. Piskei Teshuvot 493:7 writes that the same should apply to sefirat haomer. Nitai Gavriel Pesach v. 3 p. 280 and [http://shut.moreshet.co.il/shut2.asp?id=185339 Rav Avraham Yosef] agree.</ref> If it isn't, there is a dispute if it is permitted.<ref>Biur Halacha 493:2 writes that anyone who can shave on chol hamoed can also do so during sefira. Since Shulchan Aruch 531:8 permits trimming a mustache on chol hamoed even if it isn't interfering with eating it would follow that the same is true of sefira. Nitai Gavriel Pesach v. 3 p. 280 leaves this unresolved. The same equation is made by Yalkut Avrech 5754 p. 200 and [https://taamu.co.il/dwqa-question/%D7%94%D7%90%D7%9D-%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%AA%D7%A8-%D7%9C%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%97-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%A4%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A8-%D7%97%D7%95%D7%9C/ here] and conclude to be lenient. [http://din.org.il/2014/04/27/%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A5-%D7%A9%D7%A4%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A8/ din.org.il] and [https://www.ykr.org.il/question/10150 Rabbi Meir Mazuz] only permit if it is interfering with eating.</ref> | ||
===Cutting nails=== | ===Cutting nails=== |