Cutting nails on Thursday

Cutting nails on Thursday:[1]

Some[2] are particular to not cut the nails on Thursday.[3] [Thus beginning from Wednesday night one should not cut his nails.]

 

Q&A

If one will not have time to cut his nails on Friday may he be lenient to do so on Thursday?[4]

Yes.

 

If Yom Tov falls on Friday may one cut his nails on Thursday?[5]

Yes. It is a Mitzvah to do so.

 

May a Chasan and Kallah cut their nails on Thursday if their wedding is taking place that night?

If they did not cut the nails beforehand and will be unable to cut the nails on Thursday night, they may be cut on Thursday.

 

May one cut his toe nails on Thursday?

It is unclear if those which avoid cutting nails on Thursday are only particular regarding the hand nails.[6]

 


[1] 260/2

[2] The Aruch Hashulchan [260/6] argues against this custom. Likewise he writes that all these cautions mentioned by nails are not required by the letter of the law, and one who is not particular in them, has not done any transgression.

[3] The reason: As the nails begin growing on the 3rd day after being cut and hence if they are cut on Thursday they will begin growing on Shabbos, thus some avoid cutting it on Thursday. [ibid] Now, although there is no prohibition involved if the nails begin growing back on Shabbos, nevertheless it is not respectful that the nails which one ridded himself of in honor of Shabbos begins growing back on Shabbos. [Machatziz Hashekel 260/1] The above applies only to nails however a haircut may be given on Thursday being that hair begins to grow back that same day. [Kuntrus Achron 260/1]

Regarding if also the toe nails are not to be cut on Thursday according to this opinion: Perhaps one can say that this custom only applies to the hand nails being that they are visible. However the toe nails which are not visible, and thus there is no Mitzvah to cut them before Shabbos, then likewise there is no issue if they are cut on Thursday. Practically the M”B 260/6 rules that one is to cut the toe nails on Thursday. However the wording of Admur seems to imply that they avoid cutting all nails on Thursday. Vetzaruch Iyun.

[4] Aruch Hashulchan 260/6

[5] Aruch Hashulchan 260/6

[6] Perhaps one can say that this custom only applies to the hand nails being that they are visible. However the toe nails which are not visible, and thus there is no Mitzvah to cut them before Shabbos, then likewise there is no issue if they are cut on Thursday. Practically the M”B 260/6 rules that one is to cut the toe nails on Thursday. However the wording of Admur seems to imply that they avoid cutting all nails on Thursday. Vetzaruch Iyun.

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