Cutting Nails for a Woman During the Thirty Days

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Question

According to the Shulchan Aruch, which permits a woman to cut her hair immediately after the seven days, is she also allowed to cut her nails within the thirty days?

Answer

Even according to the Shulchan Aruch, a woman is prohibited from cutting her nails during the thirty days. However, she is permitted to cut them by means of a change, such as with her teeth or hands.

Source

Shulchan Aruch, Siman 390, Seif 7: "Just as it is forbidden to shave for thirty days, so too it is forbidden to cut nails with a tool; but with hands or teeth, it is permitted, even within seven days. And if a woman's immersion occurs after seven days, within thirty, if she cannot cut her nails well with her hands or teeth, she should tell a non-Jew to cut them with a razor or scissors. The Rema writes that it is not specifically a non-Jew, but also a Jewish woman, and this is just an expression taken from Chol HaMoed (his own opinion). And although initially from the words of the Shulchan Aruch it seems that the law of cutting nails depends on the law of haircutting, and according to the Shulchan Aruch in Siman 390, Seif 5, a woman is permitted to cut her hair within thirty days, nevertheless, from the continuation of his words regarding immersion, it is proven that he holds it is forbidden even for a woman. Indeed, in Taz, Seif Katan 3, he questions the contradiction in the words of the Shulchan Aruch from Seif 5 to Seif 7, and in Nekudot HaKesef, Siman 390, Seif 7, he explains: "There is no difficulty, because here, since it is possible by means of a change, he only permitted with a change, because whatever can be corrected is preferable." From the explanation of Nekudot HaKesef, it is implied that when it is not possible by means of a change, she can be lenient by herself. And in Be'er HaGolah, he explains that the Shulchan Aruch only permitted in the case of cutting hair that is very bothersome."

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