Question:
Hi,
It seems clear that there is a prevalent custom among Jewish men to have beards.
Question 1) Is there a source for this?
Question 2) Is there any difference between why some keep it short while other never cut it?
Thanks.
Answer:
The reason is partially because there is negative transgression to cut certain parts of ones beard with a razor, and by growing a beard, this won’t happen. Another reason is because there is a Jewish look to it.
The reason some people don’t cut their beard at all is for kabalah reasons and not because of halachic ones. See Beer Heitiv Y:D 181-5.
Sources:
Yaaros Devash 1- pg. 68b, 72b, MIshnas Yosef drasho 113 for other reasons, Livushei Mordichai Y:D 99