The Halachic Map Of The Face: Where Can And Can't You Shave?

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Question:

What areas of the face are considered off-limits for shaving with a razor in Jewish law?

Answer:

1. Boundaries of the pe'ot ha’zakan (beard)

The Torah (Vayikra 19:27) explicitly states: “ולא תשחית את פאת זקנך,” it’s forbidden to cut with a razor the area of “the corners of the face.”

Since shaving with a razor involves a proactive action that violates a negative commandment, it automatically incurs the punishment of lashes. The Mishnah¹  explains that the punishment of lashes is assessed as follows: two sets of lashes for each side of the face and an additional set for the bottom. Consequently, on this basis, each complete facial shave would be punishable by five sets of 39 lashes.²

The precise location of the five corners of the beard, for which one would incur punishment, is a matter of debate among the Rishonim. In fact, there is significant uncertainty and a multiplicity of opinions on this issue. The Rosh (Rabbenu Asher 1250/1259 – 1327)³, cites several differing views on the identification of these five corners.

*Note: The images below are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict exact locations but rather serve to convey a general concept.

(1) According to Rabbenu Chananel,⁴ (980–1055) the 5 corners of the beard include:

1. The right joint where the lower jaw meets the upper jaw.
2. The left joint where the lower jaw meets the upper jaw.

III. The right edge of the mustache.

1. The left edge of the mustache.
2. The bottom part of the beard, which the some⁵ understand as either the center of the chin or the (Adam’s apple) larynx.

There is a disagreement among the acharonim regarding the definition of the right and left edges of the mustache. The Taz⁶  holds that it refers to the upper lip, while the Tzemach Tzedek maintains that it refers to the lower lip.

(2) According to Rivan (R’ Yehuda Ben Natan, 1050-1140)⁷ the 5 corners of the beard include:

1. The back edge of the jawbone on the right side, below the ear.
3. The back edge of the jawbone on the left side, below the ear.

III. The right side of the chin.

1. The left side of the chin.
2. The center of the chin.

(3) Rosh in name of Rashi⁸ explains the 5 corners of the beard include:

1. The right joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull.
2. The left joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull.

III. The right side of the chin.

1. The left side of the chin.
2. The center of the chin.

(4) Rashi,⁹ in his commentary on the Shevuot (3a)¹⁰, explains the "five corners" of the beard as follows:

1. The right joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull.
2. The left joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull.

III. The right edge of the lower jaw, where it extends towards the mouth.

1. The left edge of the lower jaw, where it extends towards the mouth.
2. The center of the chin.

(5) Ra’avad¹¹  and the Meiri¹²  explains the 5 corners of the beard include: 

1. The right joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull until the eye.
2. The left joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull until the eye.

III. The back edge of the jawbone on the right side, below the ear.

1. The back edge of the jawbone on the left side, below the ear.
2. The center of the chin.

(6) Rambam¹³  (R’ Moshe Ben Maimon, 1135-1204) explains the 5 corners of the beard include:

1. The right joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull.
2. The left joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull.

III. The back edge of the jawbone on the right side, below the ear.

1. The back edge of the jawbone on the left side, below the ear.
2. The center of the chin.

The Rambam's interpretation can be understood in various ways. According to the Bet Yosef, the Rambam's view aligns with Rashi's opinion, as cited by the Rosh. In contrast, the Ritva (Makkot 21a) interprets the Rambam as prohibiting the entire cheek area from shaving. Furthermore, the editor of the Mosad Harav Kook edition of the Ritva notes that the Rambam's commentary on the Mishna and his responsa also support the prohibition on shaving the cheek area.

Next issue, we will explore the bottom line halachah.

By Rabbi Nissan Shalomayev
Rav, Bukharian Jewish Cong. of Hillcrest, Kehilat Ohr V’Achdut

¹ Makkot 3:5

עַל הַזָּקָן, שְׁתַּיִם מִכָּאן וּשְׁתַּיִם מִכָּאן וְאַחַת מִלְּמָטָּה

²  Rambam, Hilchot Avoda Zara (12:7), Hora’ah Berurah Y.D 181:41

וְאִם נְטָלָן כֻּלָּן כְּאַחַת לוֹקֶה חָמֵשׁ

³  Makkot 3:2

⁴  Rosh (ibid). Also cited by the Nimukei Yosef and the Meiri.

פי‎' ‎ר‎"‎ח מקום חבור הלחי לצדעים הוי פיאה וכן מצד אחר ושני גבולי השפה אחת מימין השפה ואחת משמאלו ושבולת הזקן ‏מתחת הרי חמש

⁵ The Bet Yosef (YD 181, D’H. u'Mah) cites the Tur, who states that Rabbenu Chananel considers one corner of the beard to be at the bottom of the throat (Adam's apple/larynx). However, the Bet Yosef argues that Rabbenu Chananel only referred to the area below the chin (Shibolet Zakan). Rashi (Shevuot) identifies this as the thin, protruding bone on the chin, resembling an ear of grain (Shibolet) in those with less full beards. The Semak also maintains that the area under the chin is not considered a pe'ah (corner). The Bet Yosef suggests that the Tur may have mistakenly attributed to Rabbenu Chananel a view derived from the Rosh's interpretation of Mishnah Nega'im (10:9), which defines the beard as extending from the jaw to the Adam's apple.

⁶  Yoreh De’ah 181:3

⁷  Makkot 20a, D’H Shtayim

שתים מכאן  - ‎חמש פאות יש לו לזקן אחד למטה מן האוזן מקום שלחי התחתון יוצא ומתפרד שם ושם נקרא פאה בחודו של ‏לחי‎ ‎שבולט לחוץ ששם מתחלת הזקן וכל מה שלמעלה עד הצידעא בכלל פאת הראש היא ושתי השיבולות כל אחד מהן לסוף ‏הלחי ונקרא פאה ואחת מלמטה שיער שבין השיבולת באמצע הסנטר שלועזין מנט‎"‎ן

⁸  Rosh (ibid)

ורש"י פירש מקום חבור הסנטר לעצם ואחת מימין הסנטר ואחת בשמאל שבולת זקן באמצע הרי שלש וחיבור הצדעין מכאן ומכאן הרי חמש

 ⁹ D’H VeAl

ועל הזקן שתים - מכל צד ב' צדעים לפי שהלחי רחב כנגד הצדעים ויש לכל דבר רחב קצה לשני צדדין בראשו:

וא' מלמטה - בסנטר שהלחיים מחוברין שם והעצם קצר מלמטה בסנטר שקורין מונטו"ן בלע"ז:

¹⁰  See also Rashi on Vayikra 19:27

¹¹  Commentary on Torat Cohanim (Kedoshim ch.6 D’H Peah)

¹²  Makkot 20b

¹³  Hilchot Avodah Zara 12:7

וְחָמֵשׁ פֵּאוֹת יֵשׁ בּוֹ .לְחִי הָעֶלְיוֹן וּלְחִי הַתַּחְתּוֹן מִיָּמִין וְכֵן מִשְּׂמֹאל וְשִׁבּלֶת הַזָּקָן .וְלוֹקֶה עַל כָּל פֵּאָה וּפֵאָה