The tradition of Jewish men wearing beards is rooted in a combination of religious and cultural factors. One of the primary reasons is the interpretation of a religious commandment, or mitzvah, found in the Torah, the Jewish holy scripture. The specific mitzvah comes from Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:27, which states, “You shall not round off the corner of your head, and you shall not destroy the edge of your beard.” This mitzvah is further elaborated on in the Gemara, tractate Kiddushin.
Different interpretations of this commandment exist among various Jewish communities, leading to variations in the practice of growing beards. Here are some key points regarding the mitzvah and its interpretations:
- Mitzvah Observance: Authorities throughout history have offered additional interpretations of this commandment found in Vayikra, expanded in the gemara. While all agree the mitzvah prohibits the complete removal of facial hair, whether trimming is allowed is a matter of disagreement. Based on this understanding, some men may choose to trim their beards to a certain length with electric trimmers or scissors without completely shaving them. Razors, waxing or laser removal would be prohibited however.
- Symbol of Jewish Identity: For many Jewish men, wearing a beard is a symbol of their Jewish identity and affiliation. It serves as a visible marker of their commitment to Judaism and helps foster a sense of unity and belonging within the community. Given that it is a mitzvah not to completely destroy the hair, even if one could trim close to the skin and follow the commandment, he may wish to grow it for his own self-identification.
- Cultural Factors: In addition to religious reasons, cultural factors also contribute to the prevalence of beards among Jewish men. Throughout Jewish history, beards have been associated with wisdom, maturity, and masculinity within Jewish culture, giving a sense of group-identity for some men. Regarding being associated with age and wisdom, the words for ‘old’, ‘wise’ and ‘beard’ in Hebrew can all be expressed with the word zaken.
- Variations Among Jewish Communities: It’s important to note that different Jewish communities and sects may have varying practices and interpretations regarding beards. Hasidic Jews, for example, typically grow full beards and often refrain from trimming them. Litvaks and other non-Hasidic orthodox Jews generally maintain beards, but the specific length and style can vary.
Hair holds great significance in Judaism, from mitzvot in the Torah to its thousands of years of culture. It is far from the only culture to review facial hair highly, but for Jews it even opens an avenue to connect to God.
