עברית
Halachot and Customs
Are There Times When One Should Not Cut Their Nails?
Question
Greetings respected Rabbi, are there special times when one should not cut their nails aside from Chol HaMoed, when Ashkenazim refrain from cutting nails?
Thank you, Shmuel
Answer
Hello,
1. It is customary not to cut nails on Thursday, as they begin to grow back on Tuesday after cutting, and thus it is not a proper honor for Shabbat if they grow back by Shabbat (Mishnah Berurah 260:6 and Sha'ar HaTziyon there in the name of the Eliah Rabba). However, the custom of Sephardic Jews is not to be strict about this (Orach LaTzion Part 2, Chapter 47, Section 4).
2. Many Ashkenazim have the custom not to cut nails on Rosh Chodesh, according to the testament of Rabbi Yehuda HaChasid, while Sephardim do not have this restriction - see https://www.hidabroot.org/question/242410.
3. It is advisable not to cut nails on Motzei Shabbat, as it is not an honor for Shabbat (see the response of Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlit"a in the book She'elet Rav, Part 2, Page 6).
Blessings,
Hillel Meirs
