The Deeper Meaning of the Jewish Beard and Payot: From Torah Command to Spiritual Identity

The Torah commands: “You shall not round the corners of your head, nor destroy the corners of your beard.” (Vayikra 19:27)

This verse from Parashat Kedoshim is the foundation of Jewish laws about shaving, sidecurls (payot), and beards.

Today, most observant Jewish men avoid shaving with a razor, leave sidecurls extending to at least the middle of the ear, and some — especially among Chassidic or Yemenite Jews, grow long, curled payot as a beautification of the mitzvah. Many also grow full beards.

How did we get from a short Torah verse to this distinctive Jewish look?

Why Razors Are Forbidden

“There are several reasons for the prohibition against shaving with a razor,” explains Rabbi Pinchas Badush.

“Firstly, it was one of the idolatrous practices of ancient priests, who would shave their heads and beards with razors. Even today, certain cults shave their heads as part of pagan rituals.

Secondly, the Ibn Ezra wrote that the beard was created for human dignity and beauty, so destroying it is a kind of self-disfigurement.”

What Is Considered “Destruction”?

According to Rabbi Badush, trimming facial hair is permitted, provided it is not done in a destructive way.

“If the electric shaver does not cut the hair from the root, it is permitted halachically, since it is not true destruction. However,” he adds, “according to Kabbalah, it’s preferable not to shave at all.”

“Still, every case is individual. For example, young yeshiva students going on dates may shave to maintain a youthful look. Others are strict not to shave at all. From a purely halachic standpoint, the Torah only forbids shaving in a way that destroys the hair from its root.”

The Law of Payot (Sidecurls)

The Torah also forbids cutting the corners of the head, meaning the hair in front of the ears. Why do some Jews grow long, curled payot, far beyond what’s required?

“That’s called hidur mitzvah — enhancing the mitzvah,” says Rabbi Badush. “They not only avoid shaving the payot, but they lengthen them as a sign of holiness and identity.

This is especially common among Chassidim and Yemenite Jews. In Yemen, the payot were called ‘simanim’ (signs) — they were a symbol of Jewish identity.”

How Long Must Payot Be?

“The Torah requires leaving visible hair where the upper and lower jawbones meet — roughly the upper edge of the ear, not including the earlobe.

Even cutting that area without a razor can be prohibited if the hair is too short to grasp between the fingers (about 1.5–2 millimeters). 'Pointed’ or shaved-style payot are forbidden. The payot must remain intact and natural.”

The Mystical Meaning of the Beard

Rabbi Eli Amar adds a Kabbalistic perspective: “The human face is spiritually connected to God. When a man grows a beard, that connection strengthens. Shaving with an electric razor keeps the connection static, but shaving with a blade severs it in a spiritual sense.”

If a secular man grows a beard, does that also connect him more deeply to God? “Absolutely. First of all, he’s avoiding the razor, which is already a mitzvah. But even outwardly, the beard gives a man dignity and spiritual presence.

The Spiritual Flow and Divine Connection

Rabbi Yitzchak Gabay adds another layer: “According to the Zohar, cutting even part of the beard can ‘damage the channels of divine blessing.’ That’s why some people refrain entirely from touching their beard. Even trimming it, they believe, is like cutting the spiritual roots.”

He concludes: “The beard is more than hair — it’s a spiritual conduit. Guarding it means guarding the soul’s connection to God.”