The Three Weeks: Are Haircuts, Shaving, and Shehecheyanu Permitted?

Daily Inspiration: Where Can We Find Hashem?

"Where is God to be found? Wherever people allow Him to enter." - The Kotzker Rebbe

This profound teaching reminds us that developing a meaningful relationship with Hashem requires an openness to His presence. When we make room for Him in our thoughts, choices, and daily lives, we create opportunities to experience a deeper spiritual connection.

Two Halachot a Day

From Behalacha Uve'aggadah, based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory.

Is It Permitted to Get a Haircut or Shave During the Three Weeks?

The Three Weeks, known as Bein HaMetzarim, extend from the 17th of Tammuz until Tisha B'Av. During this period of mourning over the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, different customs apply to Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews regarding haircuts and shaving.

According to Sephardic custom, men may generally get haircuts and shave until the beginning of the week in which Tisha B'Av falls. The restrictions begin during that week.

Ashkenazi custom is more stringent, prohibiting haircuts and shaving from the 17th of Tammuz through the 10th of Av. However, when a brit milah takes place during this period, the three principal participants, the mohel, the sandak, and the baby's father, may get a haircut or shave in honor of the occasion.

This exception does not apply when the brit milah takes place during the week in which Tisha B'Av falls. During that week, even those directly involved in the celebration must observe the restrictions.

Ashkenazi girls and women, however, are permitted to have their hair cut during the Three Weeks, according to the ruling presented here.

Is It Permitted to Recite Shehecheyanu During the Three Weeks?

It is customary to avoid eating a new seasonal fruit during the Three Weeks, beginning on the night of the 17th of Tammuz and continuing until after Tisha B'Av. This is because eating such a fruit would ordinarily require reciting the blessing of Shehecheyanu, which expresses gratitude to Hashem for enabling us to reach a joyous occasion.

Since the Three Weeks are a period of mourning, it is customary to avoid situations that would require this blessing.

However, Shehecheyanu may be recited over a new fruit on Shabbat during the Three Weeks. The blessing may also be recited over a new garment on Shabbat, particularly when wearing it contributes to honoring Shabbat. After Rosh Chodesh Av, however, wearing new clothing is prohibited even on Shabbat.

Children who have not yet reached the age of bar or bat mitzvah may recite Shehecheyanu over a new fruit or garment during this period. Since avoiding the blessing is a customary stringency rather than a strict prohibition, there is no requirement to impose this restriction on young children.

These halachot reflect the balance between mourning for the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and preserving the joy and sanctity of Shabbat. Through these practices, we are reminded that even ordinary activities, such as grooming, wearing new clothing, or enjoying seasonal fruits, can become opportunities for spiritual awareness and reflection.