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ןנברמ אברוצ ןקזה תואפ תוכלה · 205

In contrast to the stringent rulings given above, there are a number of possible grounds for leniency given by
other contemporary poskim. The first is suggested by the Responsa Ohr L’tzion and the Responsa Yitzchak
Yeranein that the basis for the allowance to use a scissors in a manner similar to a razor is not related to
the quality of the shave, but rather to the method of the shave, as even shaving with a plane and tweezers
(which the halacha permits, as mentioned above) causes one’s face to be totally smooth afterwards, since it
is not the same method of shaving as a razor. Based on this logic, these authorities write that since an electric
shaver uses two blades, it is different from a razor, and therefore is permitted. They add that the fact that the
shaver removed the ink from the hand of the Chazon Ish (as reported by the Minchat Yitzchak) also does
not serve as proof, as that was for a different reason. Therefore, only certain models should be avoided when
shaving close to the skin, but others are permitted even for a close shave.

FURTHER IYUN
For a more extensive discussion regarding electric shavers and the definition of the prohibition, see page 211.

p Responsa Yabia Omer 9, ,ט קלח | רמוא עיבי ת”וש . 27
Yoreh Deah 10 י ד״וי
But Rav Yitzchak Barda in Responsa Yitzchak Yeranein קחצי ת”ושב ו”רנ אדרב קחצי ’ר ג”הרה ךא
writes that he investigated the matter with licensed G-d רריבש ,בתכ )אמת דומע ו ’יס( ב ךרכ א”ח ןנרי
fearing electricians, who said that the fact that the ink was ,םימש יארי םיכמסומ םיאלמשח לצא רבדה
erased by the shaver was due to the heat of the electricity, ,הנוכמה חוליג י”ע וידה קחמנש המד ,ורמאו
and not the shave of the sharpness of the blade in the ידודיח לש חוליגה אלו ,תאזל םרג למשחה םוח
appliance. In addition, it seems that one should not decide טילחהל ןיאש הארנ דועו ,הנוכמה ךותבש ןיכסה
to forbid all the shavers based on the opinion of the Chazon
Ish, and we already heard from a reliable witness who said רבכו ,תונוכמה לכב רוסאל שיא ןוזחה תעדב
that they showed the Chazon Ish a Remington shaver and ןוזחהל ול וארהש רמאש ןמאנ דע יפמ ונעמש
9 בושו ,רסאו ”ןוטגנימר“ םגדמ חוליג תנוכמ שיא
he forbade it, and then they showed him a Phillips shaver
and he said it was permissible. And the author [Rav Barda] הז רמאו ,”ספיליפ“ םגדמ חוליג תנוכמ ול וארה
writes: Therefore, there is no reason to be stringent with all רימחהל םוקמ ןיא ןכלו ,רבחמה ברה בתכו .רתומ
shavers, but one should be careful with Brown, Ronson, תנוכמב רהזהל שי אלא ,חוליגה תונוכמ לכב
and Snav not to shave closely next to the skin, but no לא תונוכמה קדהל אלש ,וינסו ,ןוסנור ,ןוארב
others. So with Phillips, Remington, or Schick shavers, it םגדמ תוילמשח תונוכמבו ,אל ותו ,םינפה רוע
10
is permitted to use even when pressing closely against the קדהל וליפא רתומ ,קישו ,ןוטגנימר וא ספיליפ
skin, and there is no concern… I also heard in the name of …ששח םוש ןהב ןיאו םינפה רוע לע הנוכמה
Rav Benzion Abba Shaul [author of Responsa Ohr L’tzion]
that he permitted even electric shavers. And even if his face הרוהש יתעמש ל”צז לואש .א צ”ברגה םשב םג
will be smooth when shaving with them like with a razor… וליפאו .תוילמשחה חוליג תונוכמב ףא ריתהל
and this is what his student Rabbi Gidon ben Moshe told םיקלח וינפ ויהי ולא תונוכמב חוליגה י”ע םא
me in his name. יבר ג”הרה ודימלת ומשב יל רמא ןכו …רעתב ומכ
.ו”רנ השמ ןב ןועדג

9. This is the parent company of those known as “Norelco” in North America. [Addition of the editors of the English edition]
10. The first electric shavers were invented by Jacob Schick in 1928, thus leading to Schick being one of the earliest brands of shavers (see www.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schick_(razors)). The distinctions between these different types of shavers at the time may have to do with the quality of
the shave or the chances that the blade may come in contact directly with the skin and uproot the hair completely. [Addition of the editors of the
English edition]

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