Beards and sideburns ... ??

[MyLittleWonders]

Okay, this is a question more for my husband. How do you interpret/apply the commandments about not trimming your beards or cutting the hair around the edge of your head?

Leviticus 25:5 states: "They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh."

According to the chapter divisions in my Bible (NASB) it states that the verses including vs. 5 refer to the priests. But, I've seen many orthodox Jewish men with the long ringlet sideburns and full beards. Does anyone know the rabbinical teaching on the sideburns and beard? The commandments come up again (actually before ... I'm working backwards through my search!) in Leviticus 19 regarding not rounding the sidegrowth of one's head or harming the edge of one's beard. I've read the Karaite commentary on this - if I remember correctly, they link all those verses to Leviticus 19:28, where G-d's commanding not to make cuts in one's body because of the dead - so therefore, the cutting of one's beard and sideburns also are in reference to mourning the dead. So, I was wondering other's interpretation (and a little more insight on the Karaite commentary would be helpful too) - does my husband need to grow a beard and leave his sideburns long (considering that I just trimmed his hair tonight?! )
Thanks! Brit

 

[1vel]

Hey Brit! Good morning!

I'm anxiously awaiting the reply you'll get too! We're not "officially" MJ's yet; we're still in the searching/learning phase. My husband is wondering about this as well.

Blessings;

Vel

 

[MyLittleWonders]

Welcome Vel! It is an amazing journey. I too hope someone gives us an idea!

 

[Shimshon]

19:27 Don't round your hair at the temples or mar the edges of your beard.

21:5 Cohanim are not to make bald spots on their heads, mar the edges of their beards or cut gashes in their flesh

Both Vayikra 19:27 and 21:5 are in reference to the practices of the goyim. They refer to rituals that non-Jews practiced. i.e. cutting gashes in your flesh, shaving a spot bald on your head, rounding your hair at the temples, cutting the edges of your beard. They all pertain to the rituals of the goyim. Vayikra 19 exhorts the general population and Vayikra 21 exhorts the Cohanim specificly.

The Hassidic sect of Judaism takes these verses literally and they will not cut their sideburns. They let them grow into curly locks and they where the big black hats and usually love klezmer music.

 

[debi b]

...and usually love klemzer music.

I like it too