חדש באתר: עוזר בינה מלאכותית המבוסס על כתביו ושיעוריו של הרב מיכאל אברהם

Q&A: Shavers

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Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.

Shavers

Question

Peace and blessings.
I wanted to ask the Rabbi his opinion about using electric shavers, whether they are considered a razor or not. I saw that the Rabbi was asked about this in the past, but there the main issue was the nature of the cut—whether it is done like a razor or like scissors.
I wanted to ask for a different reason: is it simply the rabbi’s view that anything classified as a razor is permitted even when the result is equivalent to that of an actual razor, or is it forbidden because of the law stated in the Twenty-Three?
I saw that the Hazon Ish forbids it based on the Twenty-Three. And it seems to me that it must be said honestly that his words are very clear, and just as in the parable of the “bathing suit” that the Rabbi speaks about a lot, it becomes clear that one must follow the substance and not an arbitrary form, so here too the Sages certainly did not invent a leniency on an arbitrary formal basis, but rather in a substantive way.
And although it seems to me that one could suggest “hidden variables” that would explain why this particular form of cutting is prohibited according to some “hidden variables” underlying the prohibition, it is doubtful whether that is really possible. And according to the reasons that appear in Sefer HaChinukh concerning the commandment, this is a commandment whose rationale is tied to the result of the prohibition—that is, to the actual appearance.
In addition, on this occasion I would like to wish the Rabbi a happy and blessed New Year, for him and for the members of his household. May we merit to be blessed, and may your wellsprings be spread outward through us, “and the earth shall be filled, etc.” I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the importance and quality of the things that the Rabbi contributes to our development.
(To resolve the apparent contradiction between a spring and a sea, I would say that for the Rabbi it is in the sense of a spring that flows from itself, while for us it is still in the sense of a sea, etc., etc., etc.)
Link to a previous question:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%d7%9e%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%92%d7%99%d7%9c%d7%95%d7%97

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