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Going to the barber or trimming a child’s hair may seem straightforward, but it’s easy to unintentionally transgress Torah prohibitions. The good news? Avoiding cutting corners is simple. This article will give you the clarity and confidence to ensure your haircut is 100% kosher!
To download a simple printable guide with pictures, click HERE
IN THIS ARTICLE:
INTRODUCTION:
"לא תקיפו פאת ראשכם ולא תשחית את פאת זקנך" [ויקרא יט, כז]
"Do not round the corners of your heads, and do not destroy the corners of your beard" Vayikra 19:27
The prohibition of cutting peyos (defined below) and shaving beards incorrectly are Torah-level prohibitions. We will BeH discuss the Halachos of beard-cutting in the next article.
The stringency of these halachos is further underscored as many opinions hold that for every two hairs of the peyos cut below the minimum size, one transgresses another prohibition (Beis Yosef YD 181 quoting Semag, Nemukei Yosef, and others).
Everything mentioned below is baseline halacha, not to be confused with the custom of many to leave the peyos hairs to grow long (as Reb Chaim Vital from the Arizal, and others). This custom is based on Kabalah and Chassidus (Shevet Halevi Vol.5 100) and is not the topic of this article.
WHO?
The prohibitions regarding cutting peyos and shaving facial hairs apply to all Jewish men and boys but not to women (Mishna Kiddushin 1:7).
It applies both to the person giving the haircut and the person receiving the haircut (Gemara Makos 20b, Shulchan Aruch YD 181:4). Therefore, even when receiving a haircut from a non-Jewish barber, one may not allow one’s peyos to be cut in a forbidden manner, and one must direct them how to cut appropriately (simple, clear instructions below!).
Similarly, a woman may not give a man or a boy a forbidden haircut (Rambam Hilchos Avoda Zara 12:5, Shulchan Aruch YD 181:6). However, most authorities allow a Jew to cut the peyos of a non-Jew or woman (Rema YD 181:5).
WHERE ARE PEYOS?
As quoted above, the Torah instructs us not to ‘round the corners of the head’. This prohibits us from cutting the two areas of hair on either side of our heads, which, if cut, would make the remaining hair appear circular (Gemara Makos 21a, Rashi Vayikra 19:27). An example of this is what I call the Kim Jong Haircut (fun fact, he is believed to be scared of barbers, so he cuts his own hair!).
Three points form the outline of the peyos:
Marked as A below: The top-front of the peyos is the corner where the front hairline begins (or began before balding!) to descend (Rashi Makos 21a).
Marked as B below: The back of the peyos extends to the highest point of the hairline over the ear (Chazon Ish quoted in Leshichno Sidreshu Vol.2 Pg.5).
These two points form the straight line shown below from A to B. (Some use a curved line - marked below in yellow - between these points to ensure no peyos hairs are cut.)
The bottom point of the peyos is the subject of much debate:
Not shown below: A minority view says that the peyos area ends at the middle of the ear canal (Shut Eretz Zvi Vol.1 3:5).
Marked as C below: Most authorities hold that it is the bottom of the ear canal, just above the bottom earlobe (Imrei Emes quoted by Shut Eretz Zvi YD Vol.3 5 based on Shu"A YD 181:9, Chazon Ish quoted in Orchos Rabeinu Pg.20).
Marked as D below: Some maintain that it is the end of the bottom earlobe (Shut Be'er Moshe Vol.1 62:9, Rav Elyashiv quoted in Shut Avnei Yoshpe Vol.2 68).
In practice, one should not shave any of the sideburns that grow within the area shown above in red (i.e., above the base of the ear canal).
EXAMPLES OF FORBIDDEN HAIRCUTS
These halachos have always been relevant, but today, problematic haircuts are more common than ever. As shown below, many popular styles - such as the taper fade, bowl cut, and mullet - have recently become popular with young men, making awareness of these halachos especially important!
Another issue is the phenomenon of line art in hair. These are often cut in the area of the peyos and are therefore forbidden.
Note: Even one who is shaving their head completely bald and therefore isn't 'rounding their corners' may not cut their peyos (Rambam Hilchos Avoda Zara 12:5, Shulchan Aruch YD 181:2).
WHAT IS FORBIDDEN?
The Shulchan Aruch rules that the prohibition of cutting peyos (unlike the beard) also applies with scissors (YD 181:3). Therefore, it is forbidden to cut the peyos too short using any method, including haircutting machine, razor, shaver, scissors, tweezers, or cream (Peyos Kahalacha Pg.22).
Most poskim allow combing the peyos hair even though there is a chance hairs could be pulled out (Chasam Sofer YD 139 from Rav Nosson Adler, although Reb Akiva Eiger Gemara Shavuos 2b is strict).
HOW LONG?
Although there is an opinion that the hair can be cut as long as its not 'close to the skin' (Shach YD 181:2), the majority opinion and the halacha is that the hair must be the length that 'the top can be bent to its root' (Darchei Teshuva YD 181:16, Chasam Sofer quoted by Ksav Sofer YD 181, see also Biur Halacha 251 'Afilu').
In practice, this is measured at between 3-5 millimeters or 0.11 (1/8") to 0.2 inches (Teshuvos Vahanhagos Vol.4 198). Some recommend that it should not be smaller than 6 millimeters or 1/4" inch (Rav Dovid Feinstein in Vedibarta Bam 224).
MODERN HAIRCUTTING GUIDELINES
On today's haircutting machines, using a #2 guard will satisfy all opinions, and one can cut anywhere on their head, including the entire peyos area, without concern.
Using a #1 guard in the peyos area is not allowed since it cuts the hair to a 3mm or 1/8 inch, which is shorter than the minimum required length, according to most authorities. (Most prohibit using a #1 guard even with the blade lever fully open, which usually only adds 1.2mm or 0.04 inch, cutting the hair at 4.2 mm or 0.16 inch, less than the required length.)
To be clear, one can use a #1 guard or even no guard to cut the rest of their hair, as long they carefully avoid the peyos area.
Note: Although the #2 guard for haircutting machines is almost universally 6mm or 1/4 inch, some clippers - such as beard trimmers - can have different guard sizes, meaning their #2 guard could cut smaller than the minimum required length.
One of the most common mistakes during haircuts involves the use of scissors. This is particularly true when barbers use clippers, trimmers, or scissors without a guard to neaten the hairline around the temple or above the ear. In most cases, the peyos are cut too close to the skin. A simple solution is to ask the barber to use a comb as a guard when cutting around the peyos area. This will help to ensure no peyos hair is cut shorter than 5mm or 0.2 inches.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR BARBER:
You should communicate openly, clearly, and kindly with your barber - you will be surprised by how interested they are to hear about these laws!
"Due to my religion (as stated in the bible), the hair on the sides of my head and my sideburns, may not be cut too short. So please only use a #2 guard or higher when cutting these areas. Also, when you are touching up the hair there - including above the ear, please always use a comb as a guard between the scissors or clippers and the skin. Thank you so much for your attention to these details, this is really important to me!"
NOTE: It's important to stay vigilant as your hair is cut, as barbers will often not understand or listen to your instructions!
We will BeH discuss the Halachos of cutting beards in the next article.