- Halacha
- Shaving
growing a beard
Question
What is the importance of a beard in judaism? Please, what is the deeper meaning?
Answer
There is no obligation to grow a beard, just sideburns and not to shave one's beard with a razor, (see my recent responsa on the issue…). Hassidim and kabbalists have a special idea in growing a beard, firstly, to differentiate Jews from gentiles. Also, the individual hairs (which aren't too attractive) combine together to show the beauty of "Tiferet", where the individuals comprise an attractive whole (like trees in a forest and blades of grass). There are other kabbalistic ideas, but we'll leave them for those who do everything according to kabbala.

Electric Shavers
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 28, 5780

Depilatory Creams
Rabbi David Sperling | Cheshvan 8, 5781

Men Shaving Unibrow
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 9 Av 5764

Shavers
Rabbi Eliezer S. Weisz | 10 Shevat 5763

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Bircat baalat habayit
Shevat 7, 5771

baruch hamavdil
Adar I 23, 5771

Goyim at Shul/hashkafah of Shul
Adar II 1, 5771

Bircat baalat habayit 2
Adar I 23, 5771

How can a cohen marry a convert
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 26, 5773

Non-Jew in the Temple.
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 15 Tevet 5763

Early Shabbat Candle Lighting
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 6, 5782

Preparation for Davening
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 7, 5782

(How?) Is Eilat considered Eretz Yisrael?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 19, 5782
