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On which days is it improper to clip ones nails?

by Rabbi Moshe Miller

  

Library » Holidays » General Information » Forbidden Activities | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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– It is forbidden to pare finger or toenails on Shabbat and any major Jewish holiday (with the exception of Chanukah and Purim).


– Some say that one shouldn’t trim nails on Thursdays, because they’re growth becomes evident on Shabbat.


– The prevailing custom is to abstain from cutting nails on Rosh Chodesh.


The best time to cut nails is on Friday, in honor of Shabbat
– On the eve of Passover after midday one should not cut their nails or hair.


– A mourner should not cut his or her nails during shloshim.


– One should not clip one's finger and toenails on the same day.


– The best time to cut nails is on Friday, in honor of Shabbat.1


Many of these laws are suspended for a woman on her Mikvah night. Consult your rabbi or Mikvah Lady for specifics.


See also What's the proper way to pare nails?

Footnotes

  • 1. Sources: Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim 260:1; Be'er Heitev s.k. 2.; Tzava'ah of Rabbi Yehudah Hachassid.

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RELATED CATEGORIES

Shabbat » Forbidden Activities
Miscellaneous
Shabbat
(pl: Shabbatot). Hebrew word meaning "rest." It is a Biblical commandment to sanctify and rest on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. This commemorates the fact that after creating the world in six days, G-d rested on the seventh.
Passover
A Biblically mandated early-spring festival celebrating the Jewish exodus from Egypt in the year 1312 BCE.
Mikvah
A ritual bath where one immerses to become spiritually pure. After her menstrual cycle, a woman must immerse in the Mikvah before resuming marital relations.
Purim
A one-day holiday celebrated in late winter commemorating the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from a decree of annihilation issued by Persian King Ahasuerus in the year 356 BCE.
Chanukah
An eight day mid-winter holiday marking: 1) The miraculous defeat of the mighty Syrian-Greek armies by the undermanned Maccabis in the year 140 BCE. 2) Upon their victory, the oil in the Menorah, sufficient fuel for one night only, burned for eight days and nights.
Rosh Chodesh
The "Head of the Month," Rosh Chodesh is observed the first day of every Jewish month. If the previous month had 30 days, then the last day of the previous month is also observed; hence a two-day Rosh Chodesh. Rosh Chodesh is a semi-holiday, marked by Torah-reading and special prayers.
shloshim
Literally means "thirty." Usually a reference to the thirty day mourning period observed by immediate family after the death of a relative.