Clipping Nails on Rosh Chodesh that Falls on Erev Shabbat

Good month,

Even one who usually refrains from cutting nails on Rosh Chodesh can be lenient in this case if it falls on Erev Shabbat when they are long and protruding beyond the flesh. According to the opinion of Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, may his memory be blessed, it is permitted to cut nails on Rosh Chodesh in any case.

Sources: Indeed, in the Siddur Derech Chaim, and also in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Siman 134, Se’if 14) it is written that one should not cut their nails on Rosh Chodesh, even if it falls on Erev Shabbat. This stringency is also noted in the book Likutei Maharich (Seder Hanhagat Erev Shabbat). Furthermore, the Mishnah Berurah (Siman 276, Sk 7) mentions that in some places, they do not cut nails on Rosh Chodesh even if it occurs on Erev Shabbat because this is the decree of Rabbi Yehuda the Pious.

However, in the book Tehillah leDavid (Siman 276, Ot 1) it is stated that it seems permissible to cut nails on Rosh Chodesh that falls on Erev Shabbat because one can say, "A guardian of the mitzvah, etc." Similarly, it is written in the book Sha'ar Sha'ar on the Siddur Derech Chaim (Siman 48, Ot 3) according to the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch HaRav. Also see the responsa of the Alef HaMagen (Siman 12) which writes that it is certain that one who usually cuts their nails every Erev Shabbat may certainly do so on this Erev Shabbat that coincides with Rosh Chodesh, and even one who only cuts on Erev Shabbat once every two Shabbatot due to their nails not being very long, in any case, they fulfill their mitzvah on this Erev Shabbat according to their custom based on the words of our sages, and certainly someone who is lenient in such a case has not lost, and perhaps is considered zealous and rewarded for fulfilling their mitzvah for the sake of Heaven, out of respect for Shabbat. This was also mentioned in the responsa of Rabbi Meir of Brisk, part 2 (end of Siman 119). And further, see the book Sheva'im Tamarim on the will of Rabbi Yehuda the Pious (Will 57) where his opinion is that if Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbat, preferably one should cut their nails on Thursday, but if they had a hindrance or forgetfulness and did not cut them before Erev Shabbat, and they usually cut them every Erev Shabbat, it is definitely permissible for them to cut them on Erev Shabbat that coincides with Rosh Chodesh, and a guardian of the mitzvah does not suffer from anything bad.

If their nails are long, there is more room for leniency. See the responsa of the Meshiv Halacha, part 2 (Siman 4) which ruled that in such a case, one should not protest against someone who cuts them. And also see Kaf HaChaim (Siman 276, Ot 12) which states that if their nails are long and protruding beyond the flesh, it is permissible to cut them on Rosh Chodesh that falls on Erev Shabbat. Similarly, it is written in the responsa of Az NidBERu, part 12 (end of Siman 4) that if Rosh Chodesh falls on Erev Shabbat, preferably one should cut them on Thursday, and if there is a need and the nails are long, it is possible to cut them on Erev Shabbat as well, as was written in Kaf HaChaim.

According to the opinion of Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, may his memory be blessed, in the book Chazon Ovadiah Chanukah (page 257), it is permitted to cut nails on Rosh Chodesh, especially on Rosh Chodesh that falls on Erev Shabbat.

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs