Question: Is
one obligated to shave before Yom Ha-Atzmaut (since there is a custom not to
shave during the period of Sefirat Ha-Omer)?
Answer: Yes,
just as one shaves all year long to honor Shabbat, it is a mitzvah to shave in
honor of Yom Ha-Atzmaut. Obviously, if a person does not shave his
beard at all, he does not do so, but if he generally does so for Shabbat, then
he also shaves for Yom Ha-Atzmaut. The same applies to getting a
haircut. Ha-Rav Yitzchak Nissim, former Chief Sefardic Rabbi of
Israel, rules in Shut Yayin Ha-Tov (vol.2, Orach Chaim #11) that it is it is
permissible to get a haircut and shave in order to honor the day based on
various authorities who allow haircuts and shaving during Sefirat Ha-Omer for
similar reasons. For example, Ha-Rav Chaim Palagi (Sefer Moed Le-kol
Chai siman 6, pg. 36) wrote that in his city of Izmir there were families who
experienced miracles during Sefirat Ha-Omer and established them as days of joy
and thanksgiving like Purim and cut their hair and shaved on
them. Ha-Rav Nissim therefore concludes that on a day when a miracle
occurred during Sefirat Ha-Omer - like Yom Ha-Atzamaut - when the State of
Israel was declared after 2000 years it is certainly permissible, and even a
Mitzvah, to have a haircut and shave on that day (see also Ha-Rav Yaakov Ariel,
Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan, in Siddur Ga’al Yisrael for Yom Ha-Atzmaut p. 32,
#13. And Ha-Rav Shlomo Goren ruled that it was permitted for
soldiers to have haircuts and shave on Yom Ha-Atzmaut as indicated in a Command
of the General Staff of the Chief Rabbinate of Tzahal #34.0207 brought in
Hilkhot Tzava of Ha-Rav Zechariah Ben Shlomo, p. 861). The Chief Rabbi of
Yerushalayim, Ha-Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank, also gave permission to trim one's
beard on this day (See Luach "Shana be-Shana" published by Heichal
Shlomo, 5752, p. 145. For those who disagree, see Ha-Rav Ovadiah Hadaya in
Shut Yaskil Avdi 6:10 #2 and Ha-Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik in Nefesh Ha-Rav, p.
94). I remember that some students once asked our Rabbi, Ha-Rav Tzvi
Yehudah Ha-Cohain Kook, before Yom Ha-Atzmaut if it is permissible to shave for
this day. Our Rabbi did not answer. Later he responded:
"Tomorrow there will be an exam on your faces." On Yom
Ha-Atzmaut he saw that some students had been strict with themselves and had
not shaved. He said of them: "Their faces show their
character" (Yeshayahu 3:9, i.e. they had not absorbed the true joy of the
day). He added: When there is faith, there is joy, and when there is joy there
are no halachic doubts. How long will we speak out of both sides of
our mouths (see Melachim 1 18:21)?! Do we believe in the Revealed
Redemption or not?!"
Q: When
should one get a haircut or shave, since Erev Yom Ha-Atzmaut is Remembrance Day
for the Fallen Soldiers of Tzahal?
A: One
should do so a little bit before the holiday begins. For example, if
Ma'ariv is at 7:00 PM, he should shave at 6:00 PM.
