Haircut on Friday in Honor of Shabbat During the Omer

May 12, 2022

Question

Can one get a haircut during the Omer on Friday in honor of Shabbat?

Answer

No, one cannot get a haircut during the Omer on Friday in honor of Shabbat.

Sources

The Shulchan Aruch records the custom not to cut hair during the Omer until Lag BaOmer, and that one should not cut hair until the morning of the 34th day. It gives no general permission to cut hair on Friday in honor of Shabbat. The Shulchan Aruch and the Rema mention a haircut l’kavod Shabbat only in specific cases tied to the date of Lag BaOmer itself. This shows that an ordinary Friday during the Omer is not an exception.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 493:2 — the custom is not to cut hair during the Omer until Lag BaOmer; the Shulchan Aruch and Rema allow a Friday haircut in honor of Shabbat only in particular cases connected to Lag BaOmer, not as a general rule

Author

Rabbi Shay Tahan

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