In the 1890s, when the trend to shave the beard was gaining popularity in the Litvish regions of Lithuania and Russia and beyond (due to various secular influences), the Chofetz Chaim zt’l published Kuntres Tiferes Odom. In this volume, the Chofetz Chaim systematically and vigorously refuted all the various justifications being advanced to defend removal of the beard and asserted (in his introductory remarks) that “it is a great mitzvah for the entire Jewish people to reinforce this observance and refrain from trimming the beard even with scissors.” [In contradistinction to common presumption that the accepted Litvish practice is to be beardless, the Chofetz Chaim attests in the first chapter of this work that, until that time, only “one in a thousand” shaved their beards].Recently, much discussion has appeared in various widely-publicized forums on the topic of maintaining a beard. Is maintaining a beard a halachic imperative or a Kabbalistic/Chassidic stringency? Many individuals have expressed varied and often conflicting opinions and assumptions regarding this issue (especially regarding the position of the Litvish and other Gedolim). Following this precedent of the Chofetz Chaim (and in the spirit of “know how to respond….” in Pirkei Avos 2:14), a new volume has been prepared for publication to dispute and refute the varied arguments and sources in defense of shaving. Entitled Authoritative Responses to Common Misconceptions (and compiled by Rabbi Moshe Nisan Wiener, author of sefer Hadras Ponim Zokon), this publication presents (in 25 chapters) various claims and contentions which have been advanced in defense of shaving and demonstrates that they are often based on erroneous assertions and misrepresentations of sources.It is hoped that the publication of this comprehensive volume will provide clarification and alleviate some of the confusion surrounding this issue.
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