The Beginner's Guide: How to Cut Hair According to Halacha

"First and foremost," begins Rabbi Zamir Cohen, "there is no halachic obligation to grow a beard and sidecurls. The Torah prohibits shaving the beard with a razor or blade that directly touches the skin, but permits shaving with scissors or similar tools, even if the result resembles that of a razor."

"This allows for careful shaving with an electric shaver, provided the dense mesh prevents the blades from touching the facial skin," Rabbi Zamir continues.

It is important to understand that there are several key prohibitions concerning a Jewish haircut. The first prohibition is: "Do not round the corners of your head". One is prohibited from shaving the sideburns, the payot- they must not be removed by any method, whether with a razor or a shaver. There is a debate about the length of hair required to be left, but it should be a minimum of half a centimeter. The area of the payot extends from the hairline to the middle of the ear.

Another prohibition involves shaving with a razor, as it says: "Do not destroy the edge of your beard." Shaving with a razor refers to using a blade that directly touches the skin.

Another Torah prohibition is: "A man shall not wear a woman's garment." Under this heading includes anything distinctly feminine, and therefore, a man is prohibited from getting a distinctly feminine hairstyle. This includes, for example, dyeing the hair in various styles, as it is considered a women's act. It is also prohibited to leave a large, prominent forelock, as it demonstrates arrogance and pride.

When getting a haircut, it is important to approach a barber who is God-fearing and knowledgeable in the laws, thus avoiding inadvertently committing prohibitions.

Following are the main points concerning a kosher Jewish haircut:

1. Shaving the Beard

The Torah forbids men to shave their beards with a razor. Shaving with a razor means using a blade or any blade-like tool that directly touches the skin.

The razor removes the hair with the root which is a method of destruction prohibited by the Torah. A machine configured as permissible reaches the skin but does not remove the root. Destruction is when the blade rubs against the skin, penetrates the pores, and cuts the roots.

It is permitted to trim the beard with scissors or with an approved machine that functions similarly to scissors. 

Rabbi Zamir Cohen explains the depth behind the Torah’s prohibitions: "Hashem says to every Jew: 'I love you. The hair of the beard is a protection for spiritual abundance. If you want to remove the branches – do so, but do not meddle with the roots.'" When a person shaves with a blade, according to mystics, they uproot the hair’s roots – they uproot with their hands the roots of spiritual abundance. Such a person then doesn't understand why they face difficulties in livelihood, why they feel sadness etc.. Everything related to a person's personal abundance is connected to the matter of shaving with a blade. 

2. Haircut

In most areas of the head, there is no problem cutting the hair in any way. If desired, even a razor can be used in permissible areas like the nape. Many barbers use a blade at the bottom line of the hair in this area.

3. Caution: Leaving the Payot

Unlike the beard, even with a machine, it's forbidden to completely shave the payot. Leaving a little hair is acceptable.

According to mystical teachings, the hair of the payot represents judgments. Rabbi Zamir Cohen explains that "every person has failures, mistakes- we are all human. These mistakes cause the attribute of judgment to be directed at the person. Yet, this judgment descends downward, in the area of the payot, and merges with the beard area. As the judgments meet the beard, they transform into acts of kindness."

"When a person transgresses the prohibition 'do not round the corners of your head,' creating a circle – around the head without hair – they cause the judgment to remain as judgment, without transforming into kindness."

Rabbi Zamir Cohen notes that this is merely the tip of the iceberg, and the mystics delve much deeper. The Rambam elaborates, explaining these prohibitions according to the plain meaning.

The payot are the region around the ears at the sides of the head. The upper line starts from the front hairline to the top of the ear, meaning, if an imaginary line is drawn from the roots of the front hair to the top of the ear, that's the upper section of the payot. According to the Shulchan Aruch and most poskim, the lower part of the payot ends at the bottom of the ear. Nonetheless, some lenient opinions say to leave the payot until below the prominent bone in front of the ear (the upper cheekbone near the ear), so if leaving payot below the ear isn't feasible, at least leave hair until that bone.

The entire payot area is forbidden for destruction, extending to a length of about half a centimeter at least.

Contrary to beard shaving, concerning the rounding of the payot, the prohibition applies even without a razor, thus a shaver or even scissors won't help. It is permissible to cut hair in the payot area if leaving a length of half a centimeter or more, thereby avoiding the prohibition of rounding the corners.

"These laws should be publicized even among the youth, who sometimes don't know that a seemingly harmless haircut can inadvertently violate several prohibitions, and also among barbers, who may be unaware of all the laws," concludes Rabbi Zamir Cohen.

It's important to remember: with Hashem’s immense compassion, He has given us the opportunity for repentance. No matter our state, there's always a possibility to correct the damage. Paying attention to the rules of Halacha is crucial to avoid, transgressing them G-d forbig.

Beard and Payot – Why? Rabbi Zamir Cohen in a detailed article on the subject.