Question:If I shaved before Yom Tov, am I allowed to shave again on Chol Hamo’ed? Introduction: The Gemoro in Mo’ed Koton (14a) explains the reason that it is normally forbidden to shave or cut one’s hair on Chol Hamo’ed is to prevent people from beginning Yom Tov when they are unkempt. In other words, were it to be permissible to shave and cut hair on Chol Hamo’ed there is a concern that people would delay cutting their hair until Chol Hamo’ed and would thus enter Yom Tov looking unkempt and untidy. Therefore, Chazal forbade haircutting on Chol Hamo’ed so that people will have to cut their hair before Yom Tov. It is implied in the Gemoro that one is supposed to cut one’s hair before Yom Tov. The Tur (Siman 531) and Shulchan Aruch (Siman 531 Se’if 1) write that it is a mitzva to have a haircut before Yom Tov. Discussion: The Tur (ibid) quotes an opinion (the Tur quotes this opinion in the name of Rabbeinu Tam but in fact this opinion does not appear in Tosfos and is quoted anonymously by the Hagohos Oshri in the beginning of Mo’ed Koton) who maintains that since the reason that Chazal forbade haircutting on Chol Hamo’ed is in order to create an impetus to have a haircut before Yom Tov, if one did have a haircut or shave before Yom Tov one is now allowed to have a haircut or shave on Chol Hamo’ed. The Tur questions this opinion, because were it to be permitted to cut hair in such circumstances on Chol Hamo’ed we should find mention of this leniency in the Gemoro (which enumerates all the other situations of permissibility to cut hair on Chol Hamo’ed). The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 531 Se’if 2) clearly rules that it is forbidden to shave on Chol Hamo’ed even if one shaved before Yom Tov. Although regarding haircutting we do not rely on the opinion who maintains that if one did have a haircut or shave before Yom Tov one is now allowed to have a haircut or shave on Chol Hamo’ed, regarding cutting nails on Chol Hamo’ed this opinion is relied upon: There is a machlokes tano’im regarding whether or not it is permitted to cut nails on Chol Hamo’ed (Mo’ed Koton 17b). The halocho follows Shmuel who rules in line with the view of Rav Yossi who permits cutting nails on Chol Hamo’ed. The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 532 Se’if 1) rules that it is permitted to cut nails on Chol Hamo’ed, both of the hand and of the foot, and even with scissors. The Remo (ibid) quotes stringent opinions who prohibit cutting nails on Chol Hamo’ed and writes that the minhag is to be stringent and not cut nails, with the exception of a tevilas mitzvah. The Magen Avraham (s.k. 1) writes that a person who cut his nails prior to Yom Tov is permitted to cut his nails again on Chol Hamo’ed. The reasoning he gives for this is the [aforementioned] opinion of Rabbeinu Tam who allows one to shave on Chol Hamo’ed if one shaved prior to Yom Tov. The Levushei Srod explains that although regarding cutting hair we do not rely on the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam, regarding cutting nails which is far more lenient [because according to most Rishonim, and the Shulchan Aruch it is completely permitted to cut nails on Chol Hamo’ed] we rely on the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam. Conclusion: The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 531 Se’if 2) clearly rules that it is forbidden to shave on Chol Hamo’ed even if one shaved before Yom Tov. |
Chol Hamo’ed
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