Why Chabad Hasidic Jews Refrain from Shaving Facial Hair

It is fascinating to explore the deep-rooted customs and traditions of Hasidic Judaism, particularly the practice of not shaving one's facial hair. Often, it is Chabad Hasidic Jews who lead the way in preserving these ancient customs, making it a topic of interest for many. Here, we delve into the commandments, the reasons, and the historical context behind this practice, as shared by Rabbi Menachem Posner.

The Commandments

According to the Torah, which is the holy book of Jews, there is a strict prohibition against shaving one's facial hair:

"You shall not round off the corner of your head and you shall not destroy the edge of your beard."
(Leviticus 19:27)

Similarly, the Torah forbids this practice for priests as well:

"Nor shall they shave the edge of their beard"
(Leviticus 21:5)

The Talmud explains that the offense described involves using a razor to fully destroy the hair, which was the only method available in those times. Today, even cutting with scissors or making a clean shave would still fall under this prohibition according to some interpretations.

Likewise, Trimming with Scissors

While many hold that cutting a beard with scissors is permissible, opinions vary on the issue. The Sefer Hachinuch, a code of Jewish law written in the 13th century, suggests that some poskim (Jewish legal authorities) classify trimming with scissors as a transgression, although not necessarily a punishable one. The Tzemach Tzedek, the third Chabad Rebbe, argued that cutting the beard also includes the issue of cross-dressing, which is forbidden by the Torah.

The Reason: Ancient Idol-Worship Practice

Rabbi Maimonides, a prominent medieval Jewish scholar and philosopher, explains that the prohibition against shaving one's beard is rooted in ancient idol-worship practices. Shaving was a custom associated with idol-worshipping religions, and the Torah forbade it as a way of distinguishing the Jewish people from these pagan practices.

Kabbalistic Explanations

Beyond the historical and legal explanations, Kabbalah, the mystical interpretation of the Torah, offers its own reasons for preserving the beard. According to Kabbalistic beliefs, the beard is seen as a symbol of Gd's compassion and mercy, and the thirteen locks of the beard represent Gd's thirteen attributes of mercy. Therefore, growing a beard is considered a way of benefiting from Gd's blessings and showing reverence for these divine attributes.

A Historical Perspective

Traditionally, Jews throughout history have maintained the practice of not shaving their beards. This was particularly true in Eastern Europe, where the majority of Jews wore full beards until the mid-19th , as modern ideas spread, many felt that wearing a beard made them appear outdated and backwards. This led to a significant change in some communities.

Chassidic communities, including Chabad, were generally more resistant to these changes. The Chafetz Chaim, a renowned Torah scholar, strongly opposed the movement away from the traditional beards. Chabad Hasidim have maintained this practice, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Torah and the mystical teachings that support the practice of growing a beard.

In conclusion, the practice of not shaving one's facial hair among Chabad Hasidic Jews is a multi-faceted custom combining legal, historical, and mystical reasons. It serves as a powerful symbol of their deep connection to Jewish traditions and their devotion to upholding the commandments of the Torah.

Key Takeaways

Shaving the facial hair is prohibited as per the Torah. The practice is rooted in ancient idol-worship and is seen as a way to distinguish oneself. Chabad Hasidic Jews uphold this custom due to mystical beliefs linking the beard to divine attributes.

Related Keywords

Chabad Hasidic Jews
Beards
Torah Commandments
Kabbalistic Reason