a. Although apparently a mundane, unimportant and wasteful activity, taking a haircut (and shaving with a permissible shaver) actually merits an entire siman in Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 181). The Peleh Yoetz (Chapter on "Giluach") and Elef Hamagen to Mateh Ephriam 581:105 advise us that before taking a haircut, one should have kavana—specific intent in mind—and preferably articulate that he is about to avoid the aveiros of:

1) Hakofas P’eos Harosh (rounding the corners of the head); and

2) Hashchosas P’eos Zaken (cutting the corners of the beard)

The Peleh Yoetz adds that one should additionally have kavana that he is taking a haircut l’kovod Shabbos. We may add that one can also have in mind to fulfill the mitzva of kovod habrios.

b. It is purported that the Rogotchover Gaon (HaRav Yosef Rozen, Z’tl) never took a formal haircut because of the "bitul Torah" involved in not learning while his head was uncovered. We asked Rav Moshe Sternbuch, Shilta, whose shailos v’teshuvos are replete with the ma’aseh rav and personal stories of many poskim why this was the case. After all, can’t one still "think in learning" with his yarmulke off? At the very least, one could review the Six Constant Mitzvos. Rav Sternbuch replied that while this was true, the quality of the learning--the pilpul, clarity and depth--would not have occurred without a yarmulke on! Thus, a proper head covering not only provides Yiras Shomayim (Shabbos 156B, Mishne Berurah 2:11), but actually improves the quality of learning!

c. According to the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 4:18-19), after taking a haircut, one must wash his hands with a cup until the wrist (Mishne Berurah, seif katon 38).

Putting Things in Perspective. As noted above, even taking a haircut can, and should, be transformed from the mundane into the spiritual. Perhaps one of our most commons faults is our failure to think of what we are doing in our daily lives. A Gadol once asked: If the mon was a holy, spiritual food to those who intended it as such, and, on the other extreme, was a "steak and potatoes" meal to those with earthy desires, what did it taste like to one who had no specific intention? He replied that it tasted like nothing, because if one has no intent, he has nothing. This can be likened to a non-observant Jew who enters a glatt kosher restaurant and eats a glatt kosher meal simply because it is convenient for him, and not because he intended to eat kosher. This person has not performed a mitzvah (See Orach Chayim 60:4). Not far ahead of him, is the observant Jew who goes to the glatt kosher restaurant because he desires to partake of kosher "Greek-Chassidic Cuisine". The true purpose of eating is, of course, to be strong and healthy to properly serve Hashem. Kavana, proper intent, is the key to success. If one specifically intends not to speak loshon hara, he can be credited with observing up to 17 mitzvos Lo S’aseh and 14 Mitzvos Aseh (Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Introduction). Try this exercise once a day: Take something you have to do during the day and determine how many mitzvos you are doing. It is up to you to transform and elevate your everyday hassles, obligations, drudgery and difficulties (nobody can do it for you). Some examples:

1) Doing homework with your third grader who is fighting you every part of the way

2) Shopping in the supermarket on Thursday evening

3) Dealing with the many difficult people at your job

4) Balancing your checkbook

5) Cooking meals

6) Greeting and talking with someone you do not know.

With proper kavana, you are creating z’chusim for yourself for eternity.

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Reprinted with permission from Hakhel MIS

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