Newly Expanded and Deluxe Edition of Sefer Hadras Ponim Zokon Released

After being out-of-print for a prolonged period, the sefer Hadras Ponim Zokon is now available in a fourth edition, expanded to 1,227 pages, over 200 more pages than the prior edition.

Hadras Ponim Zokon is a scholarly, yet user-friendly treatise regarding the growth and cutting of the beard in halachic perspective and authored by Rabbi Moshe Wiener.

This new deluxe, two volume set is enclosed in a slipcase, packaged in shrink wrap and features a full color cover embedded with the images of Gedolei Israel whose opinions are presented in the sefer. It is a beautiful work of art, appropriate for Bar Mitzvah and other gift-giving and is available at sefarim stores everywhere.

CrownHeights.Info recently presented a detailed article entitled “After 40 Years – a Secret is Revealed” (https://crownheights.info/chabad-news/710534/after-over-40-years-a-secret-is-revealed) uncovering the Rebbe’s intensive and meticulous involvement in the publication of sefer Hadras Ponim Zokon.

Indeed, the newest two volumes of the Rebbe’s Igros Kodesh include eight (8) letters from the Rebbe to the author of sefer Hadras Ponim Zokon, filled with detailed guidance, resolution of halachic issues and extraordinary encouragement.

Hadras Ponim Zokon, which first appeared in 1977 (the first edition had 728 pages), was a pioneer publication and one of the first sefarim to present a comprehensive, encyclopedic treatment of a single mitzvah.

Hadras Ponim Zokon includes letters of endorsement and support from over forty Gedolei Torah representing all segments of Klal Yisroel.

This new edition of Hadras Ponim Zokon was made possible by a major grant from the Drizin family of Flatbush and various additional generous benefactors.

A parallel new Israeli edition is currently in final stages of preparation.

In consideration of the thousands of people who previously purchased prior editions of the sefer,and in keeping with a directive of the Rebbe, all the material added in later editions can now be purchased separately in a softcover, 544 page volume available through Amazon.

Some highlights of the new edition include:

• Unequivocal pronouncements regarding the mitzvah to maintain a beard and the prohibition of removing it, from the three greatest contemporary Gedolei HaDor of the non-Chassidic world – the late Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv, the late Rav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman and today’s Gadol HaDor, Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita.

·     A recently published manuscript (authenticated by the Chidah) by one of the Ba’alei Tosefos which expressly states that cutting the beard with scissors is a Biblical prohibition and severe breach of halacha.

·     Chapters regarding whether beard growth is helpful or detrimental to Parnasa, Shidduchim and Sholom Bayis (including numerous citations from the Rebbe).

·     A chapter concerning the halachic approach to conflicts between beard growth and Kibud Av V’Eim

·      A chapter regarding management of a rolled beard on Shabbos.

·     Dramatic accounts about mesirus nefesh to maintain one’s beard during the Holocaust, in Communist Russian and in the early years in America.

·     Documentation of how the most prominent Roshei Yeshiva of various litvish yeshivos in Europe (such as Slabodka, Telz and Radin) reacted when their students began to cut their beards.

·     Excerpts from sichos and letters from the Frierdiker Rebbe about how to relate to Anash who cut their beard; that removing the beard is equivalent to removing the mezuzah from one’s home; the status of a Rov who cuts his beard; etc.

·     Guidance from the Rebbe on how to manage shidduchim, shalom bayis and parnasa issues relating to maintaining a full beard; whether it is appropriate to accept camp counselors who shave; whether to use a mohel who shaves; whether there is any validity to the argument that a beard brings one to “ga’avah,” etc.

·     A psak din (halachic ruling) issued in 5768 and signed by 34 of the leading litvish (non-Chassidic) poskim and roshei yeshiva which declares that all electric shavers are the halachic equivalent of a razor and are absolutely prohibited without exception [signatories include such leading authorities as Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv, Rav Nissim Karelitz, Rav A. L. Shteinman, Rav Shmuel Wosner, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Rav Shmuel Auerbach, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel (Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva) and Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz].

·     Statements from the Chazon Ish strongly opposing trimming the beard for the sake of shidduchim or for kibud av v’em considerations or to help with “kiruv” activities.

·     Guidance from the Baba Sali regarding how to respond to sholom bayis issues relating to maintaining a full beard and concerning whether it is appropriate to roll-up a long beard.

·     How R’ Itche Der Masmid responded to bochurim from non-Chassidic yeshivos who cut their beards.

·     Quotations from the family and leading disciples of Rav Aharon Kotler regarding the prohibition of using an electric shaver.

·     Statements from the Frierdiker Rebbe, from the founder of the “Malachim” and from the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva regarding the sacrilegious reasons behind why the bochurim in the litvish yeshivos of Europe before WWII began to shave.

·     An analysis of the position of Chabad concerning the length of Payos HaRosh.

·     Guidance from the Rebbe to Rav Avrohom Hecht about how to relate to shaving in this Sephardic congregation.

·     Additional sources regarding whether or not it is appropriate to comb the beard or place beard hairs in sefarim.

• Astonishing revelations regarding how Rav Kook and the Chazon Ish responded to the 1929 massacre in Chevron.
• Quotations from one of the foundational works of Breslov explaining why the beard is the “Ikar of Yehadus” upon which our understanding of Torah and Emunah are predicated.