Rav Avrohom Yosef, son of Rav Ovadia Yosef, delivered sharp words regarding the growing trend of haircuts that remove the peyos entirely, warning that such practices are a serious breach of halacha.

Speaking on Kol Chai radio, Rav Yosef described the pain he feels witnessing what has become common practice in many barber shops. “I look to the right and to the left at all the barbers of various kinds and my heart aches,” Rav Yosef said.

At the same time, he made clear that the blame cannot be placed solely on the barbers themselves, stressing that those getting the haircuts bear responsibility as well. “They put everything on the barber, and that’s not correct,” he said.

Rav Yosef went on to stress the severity of the matter, comparing it to eating maachalos assuros, forbidden foods. “A person who goes this way transgressed two prohibitions, as if he ate two portions of pork.” He explained that failing to leave kedei achiza—enough hair to grasp—in the peyos constitutes a serious violation of a lav in Vayikra 19:27: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”

He further clarified the distinction between the prohibition of removing the beard and that of cutting the peyos. In the case of the beard, the issur is dependent on an act of “hashchasa,” destruction, which is why “misparayim k’ein taar – scissors like a razor” may be permitted. By contrast, the prohibition regarding the hair on the head relates to “hakafah,” rounding the corners. “If there is not hair left to grasp, he has transgressed ‘do not round off the corners of your heads.’”

Concluding his remarks, Rav Yosef called on parents and the broader tzibbur to take a more active role in addressing the issue and ensuring that standards are upheld. “Parents should insist that their children present a Jewish appearance. Every God-fearing person should try to admonish, not to be silent, not to tolerate. Wake up, pay attention and urge people to walk in the way of the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}