Page 195 - Tzurba M'Rabanan Volume1

ןנברמ אברוצ ןקזה תואפ תוכלה · 193

Shaving with Scissors

Similar to a Blade

The poskim discuss whether one may shave with a scissors in a manner similar to a blade, such as where one
uses scissors to trim one’s beard such that the scissors cut very close to the skin, with the result being very
similar to if one had used a razor. The Rambam states that one is exempt for shaving with scissors, from
which the Sefer HaChinuch infers that it is still forbidden miderabanan (by rabbinic law).

r Rambam, Hilchot Avoda Zara 12:7 ז:בי הרז הדובע ׳לה | ם”במר 6 .
One is only liable when one shaves with a razor, as it says: “Do not רמאנש רעתב ונחלגיש דע בייח וניאו
destroy the corners of your beard,” [which is interpreted as referring חוליג ךנקז תאפ תא תיחשת אלו
to] shaving that involves destruction. Therefore, if one shaved his ונקז חלג םא ךכיפל ,התחשה וב שיש
beard with scissors, he is exempt. .רוטפ םיירפסמב

r Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzva 252 בנר הוצמ | ךוניחה רפס 7 .

The Rambam, may his memory be blessed, writes: “And if one חלג םאו :הכרבל ונורכז ם”במרה בתכו
shaved with scissors he is exempt.” It seems that he is only exempt אקודד וירבדמ הארנ .רוטפ םיירפסמב
[if he already shaved], but it is prohibited to do so [initially]. But רשפאו .ןכ תושעל רוסא לבא אוה רוטפ
it is possible that this is the case [only] where he cuts with scissors .רעת ןיעכ םיירפסמב חלגמב ןינעה היהיש
similar to a razor.

According to the Sefer HaChinuch, the rabbinic injunction against shaving with a scissors may apply only
where one uses the scissors as a blade, similar to a razor, by shaving very close to the skin. The Chacham Tzvi
and Tzemach Tzedek, among others, also interpret the Rambam in this manner.
However, the Kesef Mishneh, written by Rav Yosef Karo, understands the Rambam to hold that even
lechatchila (initially) one may shave with a scissors, and the reason he uses the word “exempt” is because he
was simply quoting the language of the Mishna.

r Kesef Mishneh, | הנשמ ףסכ 8 .
Hilchot Avoda Zara 12:7 ז:בי הרז הדובע ׳לה
Nevertheless, one can deduce from his words: “If he shaved his חלג םא“ בתכש המב קדימל אכיא מ”מו
beard with scissors, he is exempt,” that it indicates that there is ארוסיא עמשמד ”רוטפ םיירפסמב ונקז
[still] a prohibition, as he should have said “it is permitted,” similar תפקהד אימוד היל יעבמ רתומד אכיא
to the cutting of the pe’ot of the head [where he says it is permitted אנשילד אכריסד רמול הארנו .שארה
with scissors]. But it seems [that we should] say he [Rambam] was הלחתכלד אקוד ואלו טקנ ןיתינתמד
[simply] following the language of the Mishna, and [his formulation :ירש ימנ
of “exempt”] was not particular, as it is permitted [to use scissors as
a razor] ab initio.

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