1) Haircuts and shaving of any hair on the body is prohibited [for men] during Sefirah. (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 493:2)
If one works at a job where not shaving will cause him a monetary loss, it is permitted.
However, if one is simply embarrassed to go unshaven, and is worried that his co-workers will poke fun at him, but he will not incur a monetary loss, the prohibition stands. (Psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal in Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 102 and Choshen Mishpat Vol. 1 Siman 93. See She'Arim Metzuyanim B'Halacha on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 122:3 for a lengthy discussion with other sources about this)
In a year when Rosh Chodesh Iyar falls out on Shabbos it is permissible to shave on Friday L'Kavod Shabbos and L'Kavod Rosh Chodesh, no matter which half of Sefirah you observe. (See Mishna Berura Siman 493:5)
2) Many Poskim are lenient in regard to women, and maintain that women may indeed shave any of their hair during Sefirah.
However, the prevalent custom is for women to be stringent and not cut the hair [on their head] during Sefirah unless doing so in preparation for immersion in the Mikvah or in cases when the hair is too long and thus not able to be covered properly according to Halacha. (See Shu"t L'Horos Nosson Vol. 2 Siman 32. This is also the opinion of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and Yblc"t Rav Shmuel Wosner Shlita)
The aforementioned Halacha refers to hair of the head only.
However, women may shave their legs, pluck their eyebrows, and have electrolysis done L'Chatchilah during Sefira. (See Hilchos Bein HaMetzorim from Rav Shimon Eider Zatzal page 4 quoting Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal and Sefer Bein Pesach L'Shavuos page 241 where he quotes Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal regarding the eyebrows and electrolysis that they aren't considered "shaving".)
The prevalent minhag is to not give haircuts to children under Bar/Bas Mitzvah during Sefirah, unless absolutely necessary.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) It is forbidden to dance during Sefirah, as it will lead to excess Simcha in this period of mourning [over the deaths of the 24,000 disciples of Rabbi Akiva]. (See Mogen Avraham Siman 493:1 and Mishna Berura Siman 493:3)
It is also forbidden to play or listen to musical instruments during Sefirah, as this can lead to dancing. (See Aruch HaShulchan Siman 493:2 and Shu"t Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 1 Siman 111)
2) Though some people are lenient with regard to listening to music that isn't live (such as on a CD or the Jewish radio channel), the majority of Poskim forbid that as well as the end result (i.e. the fact that it will lead to excess Simcha) is the same.
Even those who rely on the lenient ruling should refrain from listening to tapes or CD's that contain very lively dance music.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
I went to bed early last night before counting the omer. I wasn't sure if I would get up later in the night, so I thought to myself that it was day [12] of the omer. I didn't wake up again until the morning, but then I forgot to count properly.
Now it is the next night, am I able to resume counting with a bracha or not?
Answer:
Once the entire day passed without you counting, and it is already the next night, you can no longer count with a bracha. "Thinking" the sefirah does not suffice
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
I am thankful for all the difficult people in my life.
They have shown me who I do not want to be."
Important Numbers
