Is it mutar for a man to trim his nose hairs?
Answer:
It is generally permitted to shave nasal hair, certainly if its presence causes a person shame or discomfort.
Sources:
The Torah prohibits a man from beautifying himself in the manner of women, and it is therefore prohibited to shave one’s body in places that it is the way of women (and not men) to do so.
Therefore, if it is generally accepted for men to remove hair in a given part of the body, it is permitted to do so. For parts of the body where it is not generally accepted for men to remove hair, it is forbidden to do so for the sake of beautification, but it is permitted to do so if one requires this for purpose of medical treatment, or other non-beautifying purposes (see Darchei Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 182, concerning shaving arm-hair for somebody who is ashamed; see also Tosafos, Shabbos 50; Iggros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 2:61; Seridei Eish Vol. 2, no. 40 — the final two sources refer to the prohibition of coloring one’s hair, and write that it is permitted for non-beauty purposes).
Note that according to several authorities, the concept of something that is “generally accepted” to do is defined by the ways of Jews, and not by non-Jews alone.
The same principles will apply to nose hair. In general, men suffer from excess nasal hair to a greater degree than women, and men trim nose hair far more than women. Therefore, it can hardly be considered women’s practice to trim one’s nasal hair.
Therefore, it is permitted, as based on the Shulchan Aruch and the Rema, to trim nasal hair. When done for purposes of discomfort or shame, it is permitted even according to the Vilna Gaon. If the intention is for beautification alone, the practice should be avoided, in deference to the stringent opinions, though it is not forbidden based on the Shulchan Aruch and Rema.
I see in the Shulchan Aruch (182) and Shach (3) there, that one should not use a razor for other parts of his body.
1) Are nose/ear hairs included in that prohibition?
2) I’m wondering if my nose/ear trimmer is a razor, it says it has a blade, but how could I find out?
For the question of trimming nose/ear hair, please see the following answer: https://dinonline.org/2012/03/19/trimming-nose-hair/. The same will apply to ear hair.
The trimmer presumably doesn’t give a “close shave,” and won’t be considered a razor — though I’m not expert on this.
Best wishes.
What’s the halocho of pulling out nasal hairs, that cause discomfort, would that be the same as trimming?
Thanks
It is permitted.
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