Q & A - WITH RABBI RISKIN

Question: Is one allowed to shave during the period between the 17th of Tammuz and Rosh Chodesh Av?

Answer:

For Jews hailing from “Eidot Hamizrach” (Jews of Eastern origin; from the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus), the answer is unequivocally, yes. This is because for these Jews of Eastern communities, the period of mourning in the summer only begins on Rosh Chodesh Av, as the Mishna says: “MiShenichnas Av Mima’atin B’Simcha,” or, “As the month of Av approaches, we reduce our level of simcha.”
 
With regard to Ashkenazi Jews, the Rema (Rav Moshe Isserles) held that the mourning period begins on the 17th of Tammuz. According to the Vilna Gaon and the Brisk Yeshiva, the period is divided into three parts:
 
Between the 17th of Tammuz and Rosh Chodesh Av: During this period we observe the customs of the year of mourning [after a death]
From Rosh Chodesh Av until Tisha B’Av – the Ninth of Av: We observe the customs of the “shloshim” – or first 30 days of mourning
Tisha B’Av: We observe the customs of mourning observed during a shiva period.
 
According to this explanation, it is permissible for one to shave between the 17th of Tammuz and Rosh Chodesh Av, certainly for those who regularly shave every day (and this was my custom in the Diaspora).  Despite this, the accepted custom in Israel for Jews of Ashkenazi origin is not to shave during that period (and this is my custom in Israel as well).
 
It seems to me that if there is an important reason for shaving, such as an illness, skin condition or shlom bayit, then it is permissible to shave.
 
With the onset of the month of Av, the mourning customs intensify, and there is no “heter” (permission) that I know of to shave during the week of Tisha B’av.