עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it permissible to get a haircut during the Three Weeks?
Question
Shalom and blessings,
is it permissible to get a haircut during the Three Weeks, especially before the 1st of Av? Should one avoid it, or is it permitted Lechatchila, to begin with?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Dear questioner,
1. According to the customs of Sephardim, it is permitted to get a haircut during the Three Weeks—up until the week in which Tisha B'Av falls. Immediately after Tisha B'Av, haircuts are allowed (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 551:3-4, and Chazon Ovadia, Four Fasts, p. 276). However, the Ashkenazi custom is to avoid haircuts from the 17th of Tammuz until midday of the 10th of Av (Rema there, 551:4, and Mishnah Berurah 551:21).
2. Sephardi girls may get haircuts even in the week in which Tisha B'Av falls (see Chazon Ovadia, pp. 163-164, and Orach LeTzion, Part 3, p. 217, Section 3). However, Ashkenazi girls should refrain from haircuts from the 17th of Tammuz until midday of the 10th of Av (see Mishnah Berurah 551:19, and Asher Mish, Part 3, Chapter 68, Section 14).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
