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We are continuing in siman 4, where the Chayei Adam moves to discuss removing hair. This includes the fleece of a sheep, which is turned into wool, or hair of a goat. In the Mishkan, these were used for the curtains and clothing of the Mishkan. Cutting human hair is parallel to these cases and is assur mideoraysa.
Regarding combing hair, often, combing one’s hair can cause hair to detach, and if so, it should be included in the issur of gozeiz. On the other hand, it could be argued that it is a davar she’eino miskavein, since it is not the person’s intent, and it should be muttar. However, if we establish it is a psik reisha that the hairs will fall out, it will be assur. We are machmir on both of these points, because we assume that a person’s goal in combing their hair is to make it look more proper. If so, even if one is not trying to remove specific hairs, they are intending to do whatever is necessary to look more proper, which amounts to intent to pull those hairs. Therefore, regardless of whether it is a psik reisha it will be assur, since it is now considered a davar shemiskavein.
On the other hand, one could argue that it is not considered that the person had intent, because the person’s goal was to make themselves look proper and not to pull hairs. Even if so, it is a psik reisha that loose hairs will be removed, and again it will be assur regardless of kavanah. We are machmir for both of these concerns in halacha, so it is assur to comb one’s hair on Shabbos.
The Chayei Adam writes that it is assur to use a comb on Shabbos, even if the comb is a brush made from hair (ie, and therefore softer than other materials). The Chayei Adam explains that it is inevitable that hair will be pulled out, like the second concern mentioned above, so it is a psik reisha. And it is nicha lei, because even if we argue one does not have kavanah to remove the hairs (unlike the first argument above), it is still something that the person is happy with, and nicha lei.
If so, returning to the case of a woman who is going to the mikvah Friday Night, the woman must also ensure that there are no knots in her hair from before Shabbos, as knots will be considered a chatzitzah between the person and the water. As a person combs, they often pull out loose hairs, and since it is appreciated that the loose hairs are removed, it is assur to do so on Shabbos.
Summary
- It is assur to comb one’s hair on Shabbos due to the psik reisha d’nicha lei that hair will be removed.
- Arguably, it is actual a davar sheniskavein to remove semi-detached hairs.
- A woman who is going to the mikvah on Friday Night must ensure there are no knots in her hair from before Shabbos, which are a chatzitzah, but it would be assur to comb out, due to the psik reisha.
