Haircut & Mikveh - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Haircut & Mikveh

March 4, 2016

Question

I wear my hair in women's short haircut (kind of pixie style, boy cut). To keep the shape it must be cut about every 2 months.

If I become niddah when my hair is shortly due to be cut, must I do it before I go to the mikva? Is it considered chatzitza since I would normally cut it if it reaches this length?

Normally my husband styles my hair since he does it best. I have tried going to haircutting ladies but was never satisfied. So I would prefer to wait until after mikva when he can cut it, since if it's cut by someone else I won't be happy.

Answer

You need not cut your hair before mikveh immersion, even if it is long enough that you feel it needs cutting. Since you strongly prefer to have your husband style your hair, you should wait until after mikveh when it is permissible for him to do so.

However, you should not schedule a haircut within a day of immersion. According to some halachic opinions, hair that a woman has immediate plans to remove (within a day) is considered something she is particular about (makpidah). When a woman is makpidah about something, it can be considered a barrier to immersion (a chatzitzah).

Please write back with any further questions.