Shaving: Difference between revisions

* 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>