DVAR HALACHA 5

DVAR HALACHA 5

 Part of kavod Shabbos is not only how we prepare our homes with a clean house and special food, but also how we prepare ourselves.

The Shulchan Aruch teaches that a person should prepare for Shabbos by washing, grooming, and presenting himself in a respectable way. Included in this preparation are taking a shower and cutting one’s fingernails. Although many preparations for Shabbos may be done earlier in the week, the Mishnah Berurah points out that fingernails should preferably be cut specifically on Friday.

Two reasons are given for this. First, the Eliyah Rabbah explains that fingernails begin to grow again three days after they are cut. If a person cuts them on Thursday, the regrowth would begin on Shabbos. Although this is not actual chillul Shabbos, it resembles it and therefore it is preferable to avoid this situation.

A second reason is simply practical: when nails are cut closest to Shabbos, they will look their most presentable on Shabbos itself, which enhances kavod Shabbos.

However, the poskim mention that al pi kabbalah, fingernails and toenails should not be cut on the same day. Therefore, the commonly accepted practice is to cut toenails on Thursday night and fingernails on Friday.

The Rema also records a specific order in which to cut the fingernails. If we number the fingers from thumb to pinky as 1–5, the order is:

·         Left hand: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1

·         Right hand: 2, 4, 1, 3, 5

The idea behind this pattern is to avoid cutting two neighboring fingernails consecutively. This practice is to avoid causing forgetfulness that the seforim say can happen when they are cut consecutively.

The Chazon Ish notes that when it comes to toenails, there is no specific order that must be followed.

Finally, care should be taken when discarding fingernails. The gemara teaches that one should not leave nails lying on the floor, because if a pregnant woman were to step on them it could cause harm, chas v’shalom. For this reason, nails should be carefully gathered and disposed of properly.

Preparing ourselves in these ways reminds us that Shabbos is not only about the environment we create, but also about the honor and dignity with which we greet the day of Shabbos.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Reuven Eidlitz

Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, Monsey NY  

This dvar halacha is l’zchus refuah sheleima for Avraham ben Chaya Leah and Shmuel Avigdor ben Rivka b’soch sha’ar choley Yisroel