Mitzvah —
218
He must not cut his hair
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כׇּל־יְמֵי֙ נֶ֣דֶר נִזְר֔וֹ תַּ֖עַר לֹא־יַעֲבֹ֣ר עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ עַד־מְלֹ֨את הַיָּמִ֜ם אֲשֶׁר־יַזִּ֤יר לַיהֹוָה֙ קָדֹ֣שׁ יִהְיֶ֔ה גַּדֵּ֥ל פֶּ֖רַע שְׂעַ֥ר רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת נָשׂא
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Numbers 6:5 - "All the days of his vow of abstinence, no razor shall pass over his head; until the completion of the term that he abstains for the sake of the Lord, it shall be sacred, and he shall allow the growth of the hair of his head to grow wild."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holiness – קְדוּשָּׁה
The Nazir is forbidden to cut or shave his hair during the period of his vow.
This mitzvah prohibits the Nazir from cutting his hair for the entire duration of his naziriteship. The uncut hair serves as a sign of his consecration, symbolizing separation from vanity and worldly pursuits.
The prohibition ensures that the physical expression of his vow remains visible until the term is completed, when his hair will be shaved as part of the concluding rituals.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Nezirut 5:11): Cutting hair during the vow violates this prohibition, since the Nazir’s growing hair is “a crown of holiness.”
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 375): The root is to cultivate discipline, restraining physical desire for grooming and beauty to focus instead on spiritual growth.
- Talmud (Nazir 39a): Declares that the Nazir’s hair is holy; removing it prematurely undermines his state of sanctity.
- Rashi (Numbers 6:5): Explains that shaving interrupts the visible sign of separation that defines the Nazir’s vow.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Nezirut 5:11) writes that the Nazir’s uncut hair is a “crown of holiness.” Keeping this prohibition demonstrates faith in Hashem’s command, even when it challenges natural habits of grooming.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 375) explains that avoiding haircutting keeps the Nazir constantly aware of his vow. Reverence for Heaven ensures he does not treat his consecration lightly.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Talmud (Nazir 39a) explicitly calls the Nazir’s hair holy. Cutting it prematurely profanes that holiness and undermines the sanctity that the vow embodies.
Nazir – נָזִיר
- Rambam (Hilchot Nezirut 2:1) lists three core prohibitions of the Nazir: no wine, no impurity, and no haircutting. Together these shape his identity as one consecrated to Hashem.
Speech – דָּבָר
- The Nazir’s abstention from cutting hair originates in his spoken vow. The mitzvah shows how words can bind physical behavior, sanctifying daily choices.
Vows / Oaths – נְדָרִים / שְׁבוּעוֹת
- Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes that this law stems from the vow system. By vowing, the Nazir transforms ordinary grooming into a forbidden act, reinforcing the seriousness of speech.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- The Nazir’s uncut hair makes his status public, reminding the community of his vow. Talmud (Nazir 19a) notes that visibility keeps him accountable, preventing hidden violations.
Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and G-d)
- This mitzvah is primarily between man and Hashem. By not cutting his hair, the Nazir demonstrates loyalty to his vow and visibly dedicates himself to Divine service.
