Eyebrow Grooming During Shiva

This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
go to original →

Question

Is it permissible for a woman to groom her eyebrows during the seven days of mourning (Shiva)?

Answer

It is forbidden for a woman to groom her eyebrows during the seven days of mourning, and for Ashkenazi women, even during the thirty days. If it causes her husband to be repulsed, it may be permitted during the thirty days even for Ashkenazi women.


Source

The Tur in Siman Shin Tzadi writes: "In Avell Rabbati it is taught that a woman is permitted to remove hair after seven days, and so writes the Rif that a woman is permitted to remove hair." The Ramban challenges this: "If so, she should be permitted to iron and all the thirty-day mourning practices should not apply to her. Therefore, according to the commentators, the permission for a woman to remove hair refers to passing a comb over her face and applying lime, which is for adornment so she does not become repulsive to her husband, but actual haircuts are forbidden for thirty days like for a man."

In the Shulchan Aruch, there in paragraph 5, it is ruled according to the Rif and Rambam that a woman is permitted to remove hair after seven days, but during the seven days it is forbidden. However, the Rema writes to be stringent for a woman for all thirty days, and in the Shach, SK 2, it is written to permit a woman after seven days to remove hair of modesty that she is accustomed to removing so she does not become repulsive to her husband.

And it seems the same applies to eyebrows if it causes significant repulsion, it can be permitted as the Shach writes regarding facial hair.

Some write that eyebrow hair is not considered hair at all.


Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our patrners in supporting and spreading the Torah
Help us answer more questions faster and better
Join the mission
More questions in this category
Death anniversary (yahrtzeit)
The First Year after Death