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A man may not “destroy” his beard with a razor, meaning cutting the beard hairs at the root, in such a way that the blade touches the skin. As we read, “You shall not destroy the side-growth of your beard” (Leviticus 19:27). However, one may use an electric shaver with a screen separating the blade from the skin. This is because a shaver cuts in the same way as scissors, and this type of cutting is not considered cutting at the root.
According to the kabbalists, the hair on top of a person’s head represents lofty ideas beyond our comprehension, the sideburns represent the descent of these ideas into our consciousness, and the beard represents the ideas as applied to our lives. Thus, a person who shaves off his sideburns is blocking the descent of the ideas, while someone who uses a razor on his beard is ruining his ability to apply ideas to his life. Others argue that we should not offer explanations of this type. Rather, what is important is to observe the mitzva because God has commanded us to do so.
