When Do We Get a Haircut This Year?

It is the Chabad custom not to cut one’s hair during the Sheloshes Yemei Hagboloh, rather only on the day of Erev Shavuos. But this year, Erev Shavuos falls out on Shabbos. When, then, should a follower of Minhag Chabad get his hair cut this year before Yomtov?

Writes Rabbi Levi Garelik:

Question:

We do not get haircuts during Sefiras Ha’omer until Erev Shovuos.

The Rebbe writes in Hayom Yom that the Rebbe Rashab was not in favor of taking haircuts during shloshes yemei Hagbolo (the three days that precede Shovuos). Haircuts may be taken only on Erev Shovuos.

The question is, this year Shovuos is on Sunday and Monday, so Erev Shovuos is on Shabbos, may one take a haircut on Friday, which is not yet Erev Shovuos as it still in the middle of Shloshes yemei hagbolo?

Answer:

There is a letter (printed in Kovetz Razash page 61) written by Reb Zalmen Shimon Dvorkin, who was theRov in Crown Heights until 5745, where he addresses this question, as follows:

“Many people have asked me this, and there is no question that on a Friday that precedes Erev Shovuos you should take a haircut on Friday (for several reasons) and I have done so myself. Actually, when I was at the barber the telephone rang and it was Rabbi Hodakov on the line requesting of him, if at all possible, that he come at his earliest convenience to give a haircut to the Rebbe.”

For more on this subject and hundreds of FAQ’s in Halocho, Darchei Hachasidim and video classes on Sichos of the Rebbe, can be found on Rabbi Garelik’s website Sichosonline.org.

11 Comments

    • K

      Was it ever a “real” question?

      Even if you hold of this chumra, what is the option – entering yom tov novol without a haircut (which is actually forbidden)?!

      A careful reading: “the Rebbe Rashab was not in favor of taking haircuts during shloshes yemei Hagbolo” means that he did NOT forbid it but suggested that L’CHATCHILAH wait till erev shavuos, but when there isn’t a choice, mi’haichi taysee??

    • hey k!

      If the Rebbe’s opinion was quoted, would you say that it’s nly a suggestion. If it’s made known to anash, them it’s made known for our benefit.

  • Shmuly

    when can a haircut be taken. Friday morning or you need to wait till after chatzos

    • K

      Miktsas hayom k’kulo – a rule applied (among other places) by aveilus. So anytime Friday is good. (If one holds of this chumra).

      A wiser question would be – how about Thursday night?

    • Not Aveilus

      It doesn’t seem like this has to do with Aveilus (like by Lag Baomer) here is an issue of Kabbala so once it’s permitted there should be no difference between night and day. The Question can be if on a regular year on the real Erev Shavuos do you take a haircut only by day or also at night? The same should apply in this case

    • Anonymous

      Aderaba, it might be worse to get a haircut by a jew on Friday after chatzos