Peyos and Beard

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Peyos literally means corners. It refers to the hair that grows at the temple and upper sideburns between the forehead and behind the ear. The Halacha forbids us from cutting off these hairs. There is another mitzvah not to shave off one’s beard with a razor. Both of these mitzvos are mentioned in the Torah in Vayikra 19:27, "Do not cut off the hair on the sides of your head, do not shave off the edges of your beard." These mitzvos do not apply to women.

The prohibition against cutting the peyos applies to each hair individually. We are not allowed to cut even one hair from our peyos. However, it is only a problem if you cut it off all the way, just cutting it short is not a problem so long as it isn’t cut off completely. There is a custom among many Jews to let the peyos grow long. This is particularly noticeable by Chassidim and Yemenites who grow there peyos into long curls.

The prohibition against shaving the beard is only with a razor. A scissors or an electric shaver is usually not a problem. Some electric shavers (such as the Lift and Cut shavers from Norelco) cut like razors and are not permitted. It is usually advisable to speak to a Rabbi before buying a shaver to find out which ones are good. There is also a custom not to shave the beard at all.