- Halacha
- General Questions
175
Question
What way am I allowed to clean shave facial hair not particular the side of the beard what that I know is not allowed Im asking more on the eyebrows cheeks..?
Razor?
Or what tipe of razor?
Wax ? Lazer? ....... And so on .............
Answer
Shalom,
Thank you for your question. I’m not sure that I have totally understood it (perhaps you could try writing your questions more clearly in the future). Let me try to answer based on what I understood.
There are two questions when it comes to men removing body hair. The first is the laws of shaving and haircuts – where the law restricts removing the hair that is called “peot” (“corners”) of the head. There are all types of opinions as to how much hair, and exactly where above and next to the ears, is part of this law. Then there are the laws about shaving one’s beard. Again, there are many opinions as to what type of blades may be used when shaving one’s beard. Both these subjects are addressed on this site in different responses.
The second question deals with body hair not in these areas – for example, eyebrows, the chest, armpits etc. Here the question is a different one. It comes under the category of “lo yilbash” – “not cross dressing”. This law forbids more than just men dressing as women (or visa versa). It includes men not grooming in ways that are usually found only with women. Based on this the Shulchan Aruch forbids men from removing pubic hair, and the hair under their armpits.
However, this law is dependent on local practice. I have been told that it is common practice in many places today for men to remove hair, and groom hair, all over their bodies. If this is indeed so, then the practice stops being that of “the way of women” and becomes permitted for men also. (A classic example of this is that the Talmud forbids men from looking at themselves in a mirror, something that was once only the way of women – but today is permitted to all men, as it has become something that is normal for men to do).
If the hair you want to remove is commonly removed or groomed by men in your location, then you may also do so. It makes no difference how it is removed, as long as this is a normative practice for men.
Blessings.

Gentile female covering hair when meeting with orthodox men
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 12, 5777

Where (At what location) does the "Holy Day" Start?
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 23, 5784
How to address a Rabbi
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Adar 3, 5770

Jews wearing earrings
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 8 Elul 5763

Are vaccinations kosher?
Rabbi David Samson | 18 Elul 5762

Walking through a church
Rabbi David Sperling | Elul 14, 5773

Hishtadlus and Bitachon- Human Efforts & God's Intervention
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 20, 5778

Bracha on water
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Cheshvan 16, 5769

Gentile inferiority due to genetics.
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Adar 6, 5785

Egg slicer with grid
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 1, 5785

Havara- Sefaradic or Ashkenazic Pronunciation
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 17, 5785
