Monday
28 Nisan 5771; 13th Day of the Omer
May 2, 2011
1) Haircuts and shaving of any hair on the body is prohibited [for men] during Sefirah. (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 493:2)
If one works at a job where not shaving will cause him a monetary loss, it is permitted.
However, if one is simply embarrassed to go unshaven, and is worried that his co-workers will poke fun at him, but he will not incur a monetary loss, the prohibition stands. (Psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal in Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 102 and Choshen Mishpat Vol. 1 Siman 93. See She'Arim Metzuyanim B'Halacha on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 122:3 for a lengthy discussion with other sources about this)
In a year when Rosh Chodesh Iyar falls out on Shabbos it is permissible to shave on Friday L'Kovod Shabbos and L'Kovod Rosh Chodesh, no matter which half of Sefira you observe. (See Mishna Berura Siman 493:5)
2) Many Poskim are lenient in regard to women, and maintain that women may indeed shave any of their hair during Sefirah.
However, the prevalent custom is for women to be stringent and not cut the hair [on their head] during Sefirah unless doing so in preparation for immersion in the Mikvah or in cases when the hair is too long and thus not able to be covered properly according to Halacha. (See Shu"t L'Horos Nosson Vol. 2 Siman 32. This is also the opinion of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and Yblc"t Rav Shmuel Wosner Shlita)
The aforementioned Halacha refers to hair of the head only.
However, women may shave their legs, pluck their eyebrows, and have electrolysis done L'Chatchilah during Sefira. (See Hilchos Bein HaMetzorim from Rav Shimon Eider Zatzal page 4 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal and Sefer Bein Pesach L'Shavuos page 241 where he quotes Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal regarding the eyebrows and electrolysis that they aren't considered "shaving".)
The prevalent minhag is to not give haircuts to children under Bar/Bas Mitzvah during Sefirah, unless absolutely necessary.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
When a girl gets a new piece of nice jewelry and needs to recite a she'he'che'yanu on it, should she first say the brocha then put the piece of jewelry on or should she put the piece of jewelry on and then recite the brocha?
Answer:
According to the Poskim that rule that you recite she'hechiyanu on Jewelry (as is the psak of Rav Nisim Karelitz shlita and others), she should recite the Bracha immediately before putting it on. If she didn't, it can still be said afterwards, as long as she is still wearing it for the first time.
Some Poskim maintain that no She'hechiyanu is recited on jewelry at all , as it isn't considered clothing(Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Ben Ish Chai, Kaf Hachaim, Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and others)
It is best, if possible, to refrain from reciting SheHechiyanu (which is an expression of Simcha) during Sefirah, so if it is your custom to recite Shehechiyanu on jewelry, it is best to wait until after Sefirah to put it on for the first time. If, for whatever reason, you cannot wait and you must wear it, you do indeed recite the SheHechiyanu even during Sefirah. ( See Mishna Berura Siman 493:2)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HALACHAFORTODAY@YAHOO.COM
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
The Saintly Chofetz Chaim Zatzal
"One who is kind by nature suffers from others, while someone with a bad disposition causes other to suffer.
Is it not preferable that in the next world, it should be said about a person 'this is So and So, who suffered from everyone,' rather than, ' this is So and So who caused everyone to suffer?'"
The Chofetz Chaim Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
Important Numbers
