On Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the Jewish month), is it permissible to cut one’s hair or nails?
category: Holidays
On Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the Jewish month), is it permissible to cut one’s hair or nails?
The Tzava’at Rabi Yehuda HaChassid forbids cutting hair or nails, or shaving, on Rosh Chodesh, as it may be dangerous.
The Alter Rebbe brings in his Shulchan Aruch (61:260) only the custom of not cutting hair, but not the custom of refraining from cutting nails: “It is customary in some places not to cut hair on Rosh Chodesh, even if it is on Erev Shabbat (Friday) because of possible danger, thus have we been warned by Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid”. Other authorities (including the Mishnah Berurah, Siman 106) also maintain that one should not cut his nails on Rosh Chodesh.
To sum up, it is permissible to cut nails on Rosh Chodesh, but not to cut hair or shave.
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