Rosh Chodesh: Cutting Nails

If someone is makpid not to cut nails on Rosh Chodesh, is it nevertheless permitted to trim a toenail on Rosh Chodesh if it is causing pain and discomfort?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

To elaborate: What you are referring to is the famous custom in some communities not to take a haircut or cut nails on Rosh Chodesh. This is true even when Rosh Chodesh is on a Friday when getting haircuts and cutting nails in honor of Shabbat is encouraged and praiseworthy. (1)

This custom was enacted by Rabbi Yehuda Hachasid (1150-1217) who was a leading Talmudic scholar and kabbalist. He was born in the small town of Speyer, Germany and later settled in Regensburg, Bavaria. Among his most famous writings is the “Sefer Hasidim” (Book of the Pious).

He also left behind an “ethical” will with all kinds of interesting, odd, and mystical instructions. Most of these instructions are not found in the Talmud or codes leading us to believe that Rabbi Yehuda felt that there was a Kabbalistic need to enact these things. One of these enactments is the ban on getting haircuts on Rosh Chodesh. (2) There is much discussion whether the instructions in Rabbi Yehuda’s will was intended for the public or only for his descendants. There are many pious people who comply with this enactment and many pious people who don’t.

As a general rule in halacha, a ban on getting haircuts will include shaving and even cutting nails, and this is no exception. (3) But as mentioned, it is permitted to cut one’s nails when there is a pressing need, and certainly pain or suffering justifies doing so.

1. Magen Avraham 260

2. Shulchan Aruch Harav 260:1

3. Mishna Berura 260:7.