עברית
Faith
Is It Permitted to Untie Braids on Shabbat?
Question
1. I know it is forbidden to braid hair on Shabbat, but is it permitted to untie braids on Shabbat?
2. And if it is forbidden to untie the braids on Shabbat, is it permitted only to remove the scrunchie gently on Shabbat and let the braids come undone on their own?
Thank you very much
Answer
Shalom rav,
1. It is forbidden to untie braids on Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, siman 303, seif 26).
2. On Shabbat it is permitted to remove the elastic and the like that holds the braid in place, in a way that the hairs do not open immediately, but only later through walking and the like (Chut Shani, Hilchot Shabbat, part 2, page 268, d.h. va-nir'eh).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
