Is It Excessively Stringent to Leave Sideburns to the Bottom of the Earlobe?

As mentioned in yesterday’s Halacha Yomis, one opinion maintains that the peyos must extend to the bottom of the earlobe. This opinion is supported by the language of the Shulchan Aruch (YD 181:9) which states that the peyos must extend to the “bottom of the ear”. Thus, this opinion is not extreme since it appears consistent with the Shulchan Aruch. (Shulchan HaLevi p. 123).

In addition, Rav Belsky, zt”l felt that extending the length of the peyos beyond what is halachically required is a fulfillment of the concept of hidur mitzvah, beautification of the mitzvah. Just as there is hidur mitzvah by using aesthetically pleasing objects (such as a beautiful pair of tefillin or a beautiful esrog – see Shabbos 133b) so too there is a hidur mitzvah by sporting longer peyos, which demonstrate our pride in the mitzvah. This is evident from the fact that Jews throughout the centuries, living in many different countries, have grown longer peyos than are halachically mandated. (Shulchan HaLevi p. 124)

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.