Shaving: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
→Electric Shavers
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==Electric Shavers== | ==Electric Shavers== | ||
# There is a major dispute regarding electric shavers, some are lenient<ref> Sh”t Har Tzvi, Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 3:39, Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:459 in name of Rav Chaim Ozer, Peot Zekenecha (pg 81) in name of Rav Pinchas Sheinburg and Rav Moshe Feinstein. | # There is a major dispute regarding electric shavers, some are lenient<ref> Sh”t Har Tzvi, Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 3:39, Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:459 in name of Rav Chaim Ozer, Peot Zekenecha (pg 81) in name of Rav Pinchas Sheinburg and Rav Moshe Feinstein. | ||
* Regarding Rav Moshe, Sam Chayim p. 38 quotes Rav Reuven Feinstein as saying that his father only permitted electric shavers if the blades weren't sharp enough to cut the hair on their own without the screens. Also, that leniency only existed when non-Jews didn't commonly use electric shavers, but today that it is common it is forbidden.</ref> and some are adamantly opposed and forbid. <ref> Likkutei Halachot of the Chafetz Chaim, Minchat Yitzchak 4:113 in name of the Chazon Ish, Rav Vosner in Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 4:96, Chavalim BeNeeymim Y”D 4:27, Kovetz Teshuvot 1:32 written by Rav Elyashiv, Peot Zekenecha (pg 80) in name of Rav Chaim Kanievsky in name of his father the Steipler, and Rav Nassim Karlitz (Chut HaSheni Hilchot Shabbat vol 1 at the end). </ref> | * Regarding Rav Moshe, Sam Chayim p. 38 quotes Rav Reuven Feinstein as saying that his father only permitted electric shavers if the blades weren't sharp enough to cut the hair on their own without the screens. Also, that leniency only existed when non-Jews didn't commonly use electric shavers, but today that it is common it is forbidden.</ref> and some are adamantly opposed and forbid.<ref> Likkutei Halachot of the Chafetz Chaim, Minchat Yitzchak 4:113 in name of the Chazon Ish, Rav Vosner in Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 4:96, Chavalim BeNeeymim Y”D 4:27, Kovetz Teshuvot 1:32 written by Rav Elyashiv, Peot Zekenecha (pg 80) in name of Rav Chaim Kanievsky in name of his father the Steipler, and Rav Nassim Karlitz (Chut HaSheni Hilchot Shabbat vol 1 at the end). </ref> Among those who are quoted as subscribing to the lenient approach include: Rav Moshe Feinstein,<ref>Though he never wrote a written responsum on the topic, Rav Moshe Feinstein's student unanimously agree that Rav Moshe Feinstein permitted electric shavers. The students of Rav Moshe who quote him as holding such a position include: Rav Yisrael Belsky (Shulchan Halevi p. 127-8), Rav Moshe Heinemann ([https://www.star-k.org/articles/kashrus-kurrents/563/electric-shavers/ Star-K]), Rav Reuven Feinstein (Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 36), and Rav Aharon Felder (Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 49). While Rav Moshe Heinemann and Rav Yisrael Belsky (cited by Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 50) quotes Rav Moshe as only permitting electric shavers after subjecting the blade to a sharpness test, Rav David J. Bleich and Rav Aharon Felder (cited by Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 49) quote Rav Moshe as permitted even without that test.</ref> Rav Chaim Ozer Grodinsky,<Ref>Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:459</ref> Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook,<ref>The Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 32 quoting Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook quoting his father as the baseline halacha permitting electric shavers. See Sh"t Orach Mishpat 128:53.</ref> Rav Yakov Kamenetsky,<ref>The Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 30 quoting Emet Lyakov YD 181. See the letter on p. 220 where Rav Yakov expresses concern about more advanced shavers. Rabbi Jachter in The Halachic Haircutting Handbook allays those concerns.</ref> Rav Yitzchak Hutner,<Ref>The Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 32 in the name of Rav David H. Schwartz quoting Rav Aharon Lichtenstein quoting Rav Hutner. A story about Rav Hutner's original practice to shave and his change is found in mishpacha magazine December 2020, p. 89.</ref> Rav Shimon Schwab,<Ref>Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 50 quoting Rav Baruch Simon quoting Rav Shimon Schwab. Rabbi Simon quotes Rav Schwab as permitting all shavers even without any sharpness test, while his grandson quotes Rav Schwab as subjecting them to the sharpness test.</ref> Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein,<Ref>Haircutting Handbook p. 28</ref> Rav Ben Tzion Abba Shaul,<ref>Yabia Omer 9:10:15</ref> Rav Mordechai Eliyahu,<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 170:2</ref> Rav Meir Mazuz,<ref>Haircutting Handbook p. 45 citing Yitzchak Yiranen 5:6:3</reF> Rav Yisrael Rozen,<ref[>https://www.zomet.org.il/eng/?CategoryID=253&ArticleID=141 Zomet]</ref> and Rav Mordechai Willig.<ref>Haircutting Handbook p. 62</ref> Among those quoted as holding of the stringent approach include: Rav Yaakov Breish,<ref>Chelkat Yakov YD 90</ref> Rav Ovadia Yosef,<ref>Yabia Omer 9:10</ref> Rav Yitzchak Weiss, Chazon Ish, Rav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (Steipler), Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, Rav Nissim Karletiz, and Rav Shmuel Wosner.<ref>Kuntres Sam Chayim</ref> The opinion of the following rabbanim is ambiguous: Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach<ref>See Halichot Shlomo v. 1</ref> and Rav Aharon Kotler.<ref>Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 31 quotes Rav Hershel Schachter and Rav Meir Senderovic as reporting that many students in Lakewood shaved and Rav Aharon did not say anything. He also quotes Rav Moshe Heinemann as quoting that Rav Aharon forbade electric shavers.</ref> | ||
#According to the stringent view, it is forbidden to use an electric shaver to get a clean shave, but it is permitted to shave in a way that leaves a thin layer of facial hair.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peot-and-electric-shavers-part-3-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter?rq=electric%20shaver Rabbi Jachter] quoting Yabia Omer 9:10 and Chelkat Yakov YD 90. Lhorot Natan 3:62 agrees.</ref> One possible way to shave permissibly according to this opinion is to disable the lift portion of a shaver and not repeatedly shave any area of the face.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peot-and-electric-shavers-part-3-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter?rq=electric%20shaver Binyamin Jachter]</ref> | #According to the stringent view, it is forbidden to use an electric shaver to get a clean shave, but it is permitted to shave in a way that leaves a thin layer of facial hair.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peot-and-electric-shavers-part-3-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter?rq=electric%20shaver Rabbi Jachter] quoting Yabia Omer 9:10 and Chelkat Yakov YD 90. Lhorot Natan 3:62 agrees.</ref> One possible way to shave permissibly according to this opinion is to disable the lift portion of a shaver and not repeatedly shave any area of the face.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peot-and-electric-shavers-part-3-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter?rq=electric%20shaver Binyamin Jachter]</ref> | ||
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# Rav Yisrael Rozen of Zomet disagrees as the blades in all electric shavers, including rotary shavers, only cut in combination with the screen. Since it functions as a scissor it is acceptable irrelevant of how sharp the blade is. Also, the blade does not touch the skin. There is a tiny gap between the blade and the skin.<ref>[https://www.zomet.org.il/eng/?CategoryID=253&ArticleID=141 Rav Rozen]</ref> | # Rav Yisrael Rozen of Zomet disagrees as the blades in all electric shavers, including rotary shavers, only cut in combination with the screen. Since it functions as a scissor it is acceptable irrelevant of how sharp the blade is. Also, the blade does not touch the skin. There is a tiny gap between the blade and the skin.<ref>[https://www.zomet.org.il/eng/?CategoryID=253&ArticleID=141 Rav Rozen]</ref> | ||
====Foil Shavers==== | ====Foil Shavers==== | ||
# Rav Yisrael Belsky<ref>[https://outorah.org/p/63112/ OU Halacha Yomi] citing Shulchan Halevi p. 128</ref> | # Rav Yisrael Belsky,<ref>[https://outorah.org/p/63112/ OU Halacha Yomi] citing Shulchan Halevi p. 128</ref> Rav Dovid Feinstein,<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/759150/rabbi-baruch-simon/the-laws-of-peyos-and-beards/ Rav Baruch Simon (Peyos min 15)] quotes Rav Dovid Feinstein as holding that foil shavers are problematic since the foil is sharp enough to cut on its own.</ref> and Rav Shimon Schwab.<ref>Halachic Haircutting Handbook p. 50 quotes Rav Doniel Schwab quoting his grandfather, Rav Shimon Schwab, as forbidding the foil shavers.</ref> forbid foil shavers since there is a concern that the foil itself is sharp enough to cut the hair by itself. | ||
</ref> forbid foil shavers since there is a concern that the foil itself is sharp enough to cut the hair by itself. | #Rav Chaim Jachter confirms that the advertised claim that the foil is sharp enough to cut is unsubstantiated and rules leniently.<Ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peiot-and-electric-shaves-part-4-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter-and-binyamin-jachter-17?rq=electric%20shaver Rabbi Jachter (Shavers part 4)</ref> | ||
#Rav Chaim Jachter confirms that the | |||
====Lift and Cut==== | ====Lift and Cut==== | ||
#Rav Yisrael Belsky<ref>[https://outorah.org/p/63112/ OU Halacha Yomi] citing Shulchan Halevi p. 128</ref> and Rav Dovid Feinstein<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/759150/rabbi-baruch-simon/the-laws-of-peyos-and-beards/ Rav Baruch Simon (Peyos min 17-18)]</ref> forbade using lift and cut shavers since according to the companies the shaver uses a double blade. The first blade catches the hair and pulls it into the shaver and the second blade then cuts the hair without the use of the screen in a razor-like manner. Removing the hair-catching spring blade eliminates this concern.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peiot-and-electric-shaves-part-4-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter-and-binyamin-jachter-17?rq=electric%20shaver Rabbi Jachter (Shavers part 4)</ref> | #Rav Yisrael Belsky<ref>[https://outorah.org/p/63112/ OU Halacha Yomi] citing Shulchan Halevi p. 128</ref> and Rav Dovid Feinstein<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/759150/rabbi-baruch-simon/the-laws-of-peyos-and-beards/ Rav Baruch Simon (Peyos min 17-18)]</ref> forbade using lift and cut shavers since according to the companies the shaver uses a double blade. The first blade catches the hair and pulls it into the shaver and the second blade then cuts the hair without the use of the screen in a razor-like manner. Removing the hair-catching spring blade eliminates this concern.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peiot-and-electric-shaves-part-4-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter-and-binyamin-jachter-17?rq=electric%20shaver Rabbi Jachter (Shavers part 4)</ref> | ||
#Rav Rozen dismissed this concern since in reality the shaver blade only cuts in combination with the screen. Rav Mordechai Willig, Rav Hershel Schachter, and Rav Moshe Heinemann agree with this position that lift and cut shavers are no different than conventional shavers.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peiot-and-electric-shaves-part-4-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter-and-binyamin-jachter-17?rq=electric%20shaver Rabbi Jachter (Shavers part 4)</ref> | #Rav Rozen dismissed this concern since in reality the shaver blade only cuts in combination with the screen. Rav Mordechai Willig, Rav Hershel Schachter, Rav Shimon Schwab,<ref>Haircutting Handbook p. 50 quotes Rav Doniel Schwab quoting his grandfather, Rav Shimon Schwab</ref> and Rav Moshe Heinemann agree with this position that lift and cut shavers are no different than conventional shavers.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/clarifying-peiot-and-electric-shaves-part-4-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter-and-binyamin-jachter-17?rq=electric%20shaver Rabbi Jachter (Shavers part 4)</ref> | ||
====OneBlade==== | ====OneBlade==== | ||
#Rav Heinemann left the status of the OneBlade as inconclusive due to the concern that it might be sharp enough to cut hair on its own.<ref>[https://www.star-k.org/articles/kashrus-kurrents/6141/a-cut-above-or-is-it/ Rav Tzvi Rosen of the Star-K]</ref> | #Rav Heinemann left the status of the OneBlade as inconclusive due to the concern that it might be sharp enough to cut hair on its own.<ref>[https://www.star-k.org/articles/kashrus-kurrents/6141/a-cut-above-or-is-it/ Rav Tzvi Rosen of the Star-K]</ref> | ||
