- Q. Shalom Uvracha Rabbi Barfteld, Hope all is well. My son wishes to start shaving. Which shavers are permissible lechatchila (on the onset)? Thanks so much!
A. There are multiple options on the constant changing world of available shavers.
Horav Moshe Heinemann Shlit”a of the Star-K explains that Horav Moishe Feinstein ZT”L would test the shaver blades by seeing if the blade was used to try to cut a hair held taught. If it didn’t cut the blade was acceptable.
Therefore, he concluded that blades of rotary head shavers are increasingly sharp and would be problematic. (Star K 2012).
Poskim disagree as the blades in all electric shavers, including rotary shavers, only cut in combination with the screen. Since it functions as a scissor it is acceptable irrelevant of how sharp the blade is. Also, the blade does not touch the skin. There is a tiny gap between the blade and the skin.
Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit'a recommended the Ou Tonner Clipper.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a is out of town are as many other Rabanim, that should be consulted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.