Makkot Archives | Rosh Yeshiva Responds

3 05, 2018

Is My Electric Shaver Kosher? (short version)

May 3rd, 2018|Shaving, Yoreh De'ah|

[Note: This is an abreviated version of a longer teshuvah on the same topic]

QUESTION:

Can I shave with an electric shaver and are all models permissible?

ANSWER:

In two separate verses, the Torah prohibits men to shave their beards. In parashat Kedoshim, the Torah states: “You shall not destroy (tashchit) the corners of your beards,” (Vayikra 19:27). Two chapters later, in parashat Emor, addressing the male Kohanim, the Torah states: “The corners of their beards they shall not shave (yigaleichu),” (Vayikra 21:5). The Talmud (Makkot 21a) states that these two verses are not two separate prohibitions, one for Kohanim and one for all male Jews,

Electric Shavers – Which Ones are Kosher?

8 02, 2017

Electric Shavers – Which Ones are Kosher?

February 8th, 2017|Shaving|

Question:

I noticed a new electric shaver, the Norelco OneBlade, which has the appearance of a safety razor, and can shave a length of the face in one stroke, but actually is electric with a foil screen (see pictures). Any chance you could weigh in as to whether you think it would be acceptable for a man to use on his whole face? Thanks!

Answer:

Bugs in the Broccoli: The Concept of Biryah

12 11, 2010

Bugs in the Broccoli: The Concept of Biryah

November 12th, 2010|Kashrut|

Among the things that cannot be nullified when they exist in a mixture are things that are considered a biryah, or “whole entities”. The Gemara in Hullin (99b) states this in reference to the gid hanashe, the forbidden sinew, in just two words – biryah shani – an entity is different (and not batel, nullified). The logic for this seems clear – some things are so significant in themselves that, as long as they remain whole, they never lose their identity, even when they exist in a much larger mixture.

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