Q&A: Haircut on the night after Tisha B’Av
Haircut on the night after Tisha B’Av
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Can an Ashkenazi soldier be lenient and get a haircut immediately when Tisha B’Av ends? (Our commanders told us they would give us time to get haircuts after midday, but we’re a hesder yeshiva platoon, so I’m worried there will be a big rush and not everyone will manage to get a proper haircut. They also told us that the next day there will be an appearance inspection, and anyone who is not properly groomed will face disciplinary action.)
Answer
I don’t see why not rely on the haircut time that was designated for you. Is it really so important exactly how the haircut comes out? The Ashkenazi custom is to wait until midday on the 10th of Av. If it is truly very critical, there is room to be lenient, but I don’t understand what is so critical here.
The question is stronger than the answer.
It seems the respondent did not serve in a combat unit, and is not aware of the difficulty.
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Ze’ev Levin.
Former military rabbi