Q, Kvod Horav; Is one allowed to comb his peyos since he may come to pull out a hair while doing it, which is prohibited?
A. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 181: 3) rules that one should be stringent and follow Tosafos opinion that the prohibition of cutting off the peyos of the head applies even when done with scissors.
Poskim disagree if Tosafos opinion includes plucking the hairs with a utensil or by hand is also included. R. A. Eiger (Gilyon Hashas- Shovuos) opines it does. However, Teshuvos Chasam Sofer (139 – 140) disagrees and permits. He mentions that his Rebbe, Rav Nosson Adler zt’l, would comb his peyos with a comb.
Hisorerus Teshuva (4: 88) mentions that he is stringent to follow R, A, Eiger’s opinion and uses only the side of the comb with separated teeth. Orchois Rabbenu (1: p. 201) relates that the Steipler Gaon zt’l did not comb his peyos, although in his sefer he offers a lenient opinion. It is quoted (Mesivta Shavuos 2b) that the Chazon Ish zt’l did comb his peyos.
Horav Shlomo Millers Shlita opinion is that one can be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a
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