In some families/communities, little boys do not get their hair cut until they are three, and then there is a gathering for cutting their hair. The haircut is called an "upsheirin" or "chalakeh."
What is the source for (and significance of) this practice? It isn't mentioned in halachic works like the Shulchan Aruch.
Answer
Nitei Gavriel discusses various practices regarding the Upsherin, such as:
- Why it is done
- Age of boy
- can you cut hair before or push it off
- how to do the haircutting
- who should do the haircutting
- where to do the haircutting
He says the first haircut is about teaching the child about the Mitzvah of Pe'ot, since we cut the hair and leave the Pe'ot.
Why do most people do it at 3, because age 3 is associated with starting to teach children about Mitzvos (Chinuch). For example, see Midrash Tanchuma Vayeira, Chapter 22, and more in footnote 2 on this page.
According to AskMoses.com The actual source is unclear, but there are a few options. AskMoses.com is only discussing the source for the upsherin, not the age of the boy getting the haircut:
- Arizal (Shar Hakavanot Inyan Pesach, Drush 12) [R' Chaim Vital calls it a "known custom"]
- Radvaz (Shalot Utshuvot Radvaz, vol. 2, ch. 608.) ["...already a custom..."]
- Maybe alluded to in a Jerusalem Talmud (Tractate Pe'ah 1:4)
- Maybe alluded to in a Midrash Tanchumah (Midrash Tanchuma, Kedoshim 14)
This Shiur by Rabbi Leib Schapiro is on my list of shiurim to listen to, but I haven't actually listened to it yet:
The Meaning of Upsherenish - The Mitzvah of Peyos. This class explores the reasons and sources for the custom of celebrating a Jewish boy’s first haircut – an Upsherin.
Also, it looks like Rabbi Pinson has a more Kabalistic look at what the Upsherin is about.
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