Haircuts and Shaving When Lag Ba'Omer falls on Friday

Lag B'Omer on Friday

by Rabbi Avi Billet 

The customs of mourning during Sefirat Ha'Omer stem primarily from the deaths of the students of Rabbi Akiva and over the tragedies which unfolded during this time of year during the First Crusade (1096), when large Jewish communities were wiped out. 

One of the main practices that have carried through today is to avoid getting haircuts for a 33 day period - usually observed by both men and women - and for men to be shaving less frequently if at all, though there are varying customs and practices that allow for either weekly shaving (such as on Friday) or even daily shaving, depending on extenuating circumstances and personal minhag. 

This year, Lag Ba'Omer falls on a Friday, which leads to the following interesting discussion, as noted in the Shulchan Arukh and its commentaries. 

There is a debate between the Mechaber and Rama in the Shulchan Arukh as to when a person may cut one’s hair in relation to Lag Ba’Omer. The Mechaber (Sefardic position) normally says to wait until the 34th day of the Omer, while the Rama (Ashkenazic position) is of the view that on the 33rd day of the Omer, ל"ג (Lag) Baomer, one may cut the hair in the morning (after sunrise – s”k 10), but not in the evening (based on Maharil). 

When Lag Ba’Omer is on Friday, as it is this year, the Mechaber allows for haircuts on Friday in honor of Shabbos (493:2). Rama doesn’t mention an allowance to do it any earlier, but the Mishneh Brurah (s”k 11) there says

 ולא מבערב - ויש מאחרונים שמקילין להסתפר מבערב [מי"ט וא"ר] וסיים א"ר דמ"מ לענין נשואין לא ראיתי מקילין כ"א ביום ל"ג בעומר בעצמו ולא בלילה שלפניו אכן כשחל ל"ג בעומר בע"ש והוא לו שעת הדחק לעשות ביום אפשר שיש להקל לו לעשות בלילה שלפניו: 

“Some Acharonim were lenient to cut the hair in the evening. However, even for marriages they were not lenient except to cut the hair in the daytime of Lag Ba’omer and not the evening before. However, when Lag Ba’Omer falls on Erev Shabbos, and it might be too difficult to take care of the hair cut in the day time, it is possible that one could be lenient to cut one’s hair in the night beforehand.” 

This would translate to having one's hair cut as early as Thursday evening after one has counted the 33rd count of the Omer. Since everyone is capable of self-shaving, that can take place Thursday night. Those who take care of haircuts at home may do so Thursday night. If one can go to the barber or hairstylist at night, that option is available as well. 

If that is not possible, certainly Ashkenazim, and even Sefardim this year, may get one's hair cut and shave anytime on Friday in advance of Shabbos.