In a move that has sparked widespread discussion in the Torah world, the Gaon Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Diner, Rav of Central Bnei Brak, has ruled that Ashkenazim may cut their hair this Friday, Erev Shabbat Parshat Tazria-Metzora.
Typically, the period between Passover and Shavuot is marked by mourning customs, including a prohibition on haircuts and shaving, to commemorate the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who perished. However, the Hebrew calendar for 2026 places Rosh Chodesh Iyar on Shabbat, creating a unique halakhic intersection.
Why This Year is Different
According to the ruling published in the Mayim Chaim bulletin, the permit is based on the Mishna Berura (493:5), which allows for a haircut on Friday when Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat. The reasoning is rooted in the "double joy" of the day and the necessity to honor the Shabbat.
Important Nuances & Restrictions
While the permit offers relief for many, it is subject to several conditions:
- The Will of Rabbi Yehuda HeChasid: Those who strictly follow the Tzava'at Rabbi Yehuda HeChasid, which forbids haircuts on Rosh Chodesh regardless of the day, cannot cut their hair on Friday. Instead, they are permitted to cut their hair on Thursday (Erev Rosh Chodesh) in honor of the upcoming Shabbat.
- Ashkenazim vs. Sephardim: This leniency applies strictly to Ashkenazim. Rabbi Benjamin Chouta clarified on Kikar HaShabbat that since Sephardic custom (following the Shulchan Aruch) maintains the prohibition strictly until the 34th of the Omer, this specific Friday permit does not apply to them.
- Historical Context: While the Shulchan Aruch generally views haircuts on Rosh Chodesh Iyar as an error, the Rama notes that some communities do not begin mourning customs until the second day of Rosh Chodesh. The current ruling utilizes the Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh overlap to bridge these traditions for the sake of Kevod Shabbat (Honoring the Sabbath).
