Haircutting and Shaving During the Three Weeks

Are there any situations where haircutting and shaving are permitted during the Three Weeks?

Yes. According to some poskim, an adult may give a child a haircut during the Three Weeks, except for the week in which Tisha B’Av occurs (OC 551:14 and Mishna Berura 551:82). If one’s mustache is overgrown and prevents him from eating properly, it is permitted to trim it (Shulchan Aruch 551:13, and Mishna Berura 551:80). When necessary a woman or girl may shave her legs during the Three Weeks until Rosh Chodesh Av (Moadei Yeshurun p. 128:3 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l). A married woman or one of marriageable age may shave her legs even during the Nine Days (Kitzur Hilchos Bein HaMetzarim p. 4:5 in the name of Rav Moshe, zt”l).

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.