Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6695 — Teshuvah

(20 Shevat* 5719)

In accordance with the testament of Rabbi Yehudah HaChassid*, it is not appropriate to cut one's hair during Rosh Chodesh*. Certainly, one could object:

A) That he himself speaks of shaving the hair and not of cutting it, which would therefore be permitted according to the formulation of his testament. This is also the opinion of the Magen Avraham*, at chapter 260.

B) That this does not apply to the first haircut, at three years of age, which "occupies an important place among the Jewish customs," in the words of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*. And you will also consult the Shaarei Teshuvah* on the Shulchan Aruch*, Orach Chaim*, at the end of chapter 531.

The formulation of the Alter Rebbe*, at paragraph 1 of this chapter 260, is: "to cut the hair," because of the danger (note 1: That results from cutting them during Rosh Chodesh*) that ensues and not because of a prohibition. Now, cutting the hair is not, properly speaking, a Mitzvah*, as specified in the Shulchan Aruch* of the Alter Rebbe*, Orach Chaim*, chapter 455, at paragraphs 15 and 16. One is therefore not delivered from the doubt (note 2: Not arriving at a clear interpretation of the words of Rabbi Yehudah HaChassid*), and for this reason, it is appropriate, in my opinion, to schedule this first haircut immediately after Rosh Chodesh*.

ו'תרצה

[כ' שבט תשי"ט]

... במש"כ ע"ד יום גזיזת השערות כיון שיום ההולדת חל בר"ח.

הנה ידוע ע"פ צוואת ר"י החסיד שאין לגלח בר"ח.

ואף דלכאורה יש לומר: א) דהיינו דוקא גילוח (כל' הצוואה. וכ"ה במג"א סר"ס), אבל להסתפר מותר. ב) דשאני תספורת ג' שנים דדבר גדול הוא במנהג ישראל - כל' כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר, ועייג"כ שע"ת לשו"ע או"ח סו"ס תקל"א -

הנה כיון דל' אדה"ז (סר"ס ס"א) הוא להסתפר, ושהוא מפני חשש סכנה (ולא - איסור), והתספורת לא הוי מצוה ממש (עיין שו"ע אדה"ז או"ח סתנ"ה סט"ו-טז) - מידי ספק לא יצא ולדעתי יש לעשותה (תיכף) לאחר ר"ח.

ו'תרצה
נדפסה בלקו"ש חי"ג ע' 265.