Page 161 - Tzurba M'Rabanan Volume1

ןנברמ אברוצ שארה תואפ תוכלה · 159

The Basis for the Prohibition

of Pe’ot Harosh

The prohibition for a male to cut his pe’ot harosh, or corners of the head (known colloquially as “sideburns”), is
one that is not so well known or understood by many individuals. In this shiur, we will attempt to understand
the basis for it as well as the practical relevant rules and measurements as to what may not be cut.
The source for not cutting one’s pe’ot is found in Parshat Kedoshim in the following verse:

t Vayikra 19:27 זכ:טי | ארקיו 1 .

Do not round the corners of your head and do not destroy the ת ַ א ְּ פ ת ֵ א תי ִ ח ְ ׁש ַ ת אלֹ ְ ו ם ֶ כ ְ ׁשאֹר ת ַ א ְּ פ ּופ ִּ ק ַ ת אלֹ
ָ
corners of your beard. :ךֶֽנ ָ קְז
As is often the case, the Torah does not specify the reason for this unusual prohibition, and the Rishonim
suggest various approaches. The Rambam suggests that it is to distance ourselves from idol worshipers.

r Rambam, Hilchot Avoda Zara 12:1 א:בי הרז הדובע ׳לה | ם"במר 2 .
One may not shave the corners of the head, as the idol ןישוע ויהש ומכ שארה יתאפ ןיחלגמ ןיא
worshipers used to do, as it is stated: “Do not round the .םכשאר תאפ ופיקת אל רמאנש םיבכוכ ידבוע
corners of your head.”

r Rambam, Hilchot Avoda Zara 12:7 ז:בי הרז הדובע ׳לה | ם"במר 3 .
It was the custom of the idolatrous priests to destroy their ,םנקז תיחשהל היה םיבכוכ ידבוע ינהכ ךרד
beards; therefore, the Torah prohibited destroying one’s beard. .ןקזה תיחשהל הרות הרסא ךכיפל

This is also the approach of the Smag.

r Sefer Mitzvot Gadol, זנ ןיואל | לודג תווצמ רפס 4 .
Negative Commandment 57 ןישוע ויהש ומכ שארה תואיפ חלגל אלש
One may not shave the corners of the head as the idolatrous אל )זכ:טי ארקיו( רמאנש הרז הדובע ירמוכ
priests used to do, as it is stated: “Do not round the corners of .םכשאר תאפ ופיקת
your head.”

By contrast, the Tur argues that the notion that this prohibition is related to avoda zara (idolatry) is not
mentioned anywhere in the Torah or the Gemara. In addition, he states that one should not search for the
reasons of mitzvot.

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