Shaving
Question
Shalom Rabbi! I have the following question. For years i have been confused as to the exact guidlines for shaving ones facial hair - i assume you allow machines [if not -could you please tellme which machines you think are and which are not allowed] then exactly where/till where/how thin can you use the "trimmer" on the peot - can you trim all the way up as long as 'some' hair is left or is there a shiur for the peah ? [ I'm not sure why this wouod notbe allowed as we seem to always allow the barber to use a trimmer there, even "#2" or "#1" trimmer. Also =with the actual shaver - till where can one shave -they say the "bone" but where exactly is this ? thanx!.
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiAll electric shavers are the same and are OK. The concept of "until the bone," only applies to one who is using a razor. If you are using an electric shaver or trimmer, you can go much higher, as long as you leave some Payot beneath the top of the ear. People are confused on this issue. (Yevamot BeIyun does not necessarily prepare one for learning Yoreh Deah). The Issur of not using a Shaver and cutting the entire Payot off, is a Chumrah. The Shiur of going down significantly to the bone or whatever is also a Chumra. MeIkar Hadin one should be allowed to shave with a razor almost till the top of the Payot, which is above the ear, and only leave two rows of hair not cut. It would be overkill if when we are Machmir on a "Misparayim Ke'En Ta'ar," (an electric shaver/Trimmer), that we should also be Machmir on the Shiur to the extreme. AA