Fascinating Comment from the Chazon Ish Detailing His Halachic Perspective on Growing a ‘Tchup’ (Forelock)
The Chazon Ish states that it is permitted to grow a "tshup" for beauty reasons
( although not recommended)
In the sefer Da Gezairos Oraisa, the author- Rabbi Yehoshua Alter Wildman rules that it is a de’oraisa prohibition to grow a forelock (tchup) due to the prohibition of imitating the gentiles.
In the present copy of this sefer there is a
handwritten note by the Chazon Ish refuting the author’s opinion and arguing that the matter involved is not a de’oraisa transgression. He explains that unless one was specifically trying to imitate the gentiles, the matter did not constitute a transgression since it was being done for reasons of beauty and not as an imitation. However, the Chazon Ish adds that despite this, it is still “worthy of those who fear G-d to veer to a more modest path in clothing and other matters (of modesty).”
Rabbi Yehoshua Alter published his sefer following the immigration of the Slabodka Yeshiva to Eretz Yisrael. Students of the yeshiva were accustomed to growing a forelock, something that was frowned upon by Jerusalem’s Charedi community.
Published in Jerusalem, 1931.
46 pages | 19 cm | Fine condition
