Cutting Fingernails and Toenails on the Same Day at the End of the Thirty Days of Mourning

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Question

A mourner whose thirtieth day falls on Friday, the eve of Shabbat, can he cut his fingernails and toenails on Friday in honor of Shabbat?

Answer

In a pressing situation where one cannot cut nails on Thursday due to mourning, it is permissible to cut both fingernails and toenails on the same day.

Source

The 'Mishnah Berurah', Siman 260, S"K 6, writes: "Some say not to cut fingernails and toenails on the same day, and one should only cut them on the eve of Shabbat or a festival. The correct practice is to cut toenails on Thursday and fingernails on Friday."

However, in 'Machzik Bracha' it is written: "I say there is no need to worry about this, as in the book 'Kavanot' by Maharshal Vital, who copied from 'Taharat Yad HaKodesh' from his father, Maharchu, it is written that Rabbeinu Ari would cut his fingernails and toenails on Friday. It also writes there about the secret necessity of cutting nails and taking a hot bath on the eve of Shabbat. And from the Talmud, Tractate Niddah, it implies that if they are buried or burned, there is no concern." This is also quoted by 'Shaar HaTshuva'.

Therefore, since it was not possible to cut them earlier, the opinion of our teacher, the Rav, shlita, is that it is permissible to rely on the Rav Chida in a pressing situation and cut them in honor of Shabbat.

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