A Barber Who Became a Mourner in the Middle of a Haircut
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Question
A barber who, in the middle of giving a haircut, learns that his father has passed away, can he finish the haircut?
Answer
Since a mourner and an onen are prohibited from working, it is forbidden to cut another person's hair during mourning. However, it is permitted to finish the haircut if there is no other barber in town. (Certainly, if the second barber in town does not adhere to the prohibitions of 'do not round' and 'do not destroy', he can finish the haircut)
Source
It is stated in Avell Rabbati, chapter 5, halacha 8, and the Jerusalem Talmud, first chapter of Shabbat, halacha 2, and it is written by the Rif (16) and the Rosh (chapter 68) at the end of Moed Katan. The Shulchan Aruch ruled similarly, Siman 340, paragraph 2: "He sat down to get a haircut, and they told him: his father died, he finishes his head, both the one cutting and the one being cut; and what the barber finishes is when there is no other barber in town. The prohibition to cut another is due to the prohibition of work. And when there is no other barber, it is permitted due to the dignity of the one being cut."