I work at a Sephardic camp where shaving is done until the week of tisha be’av. Last summer I was almost fired because of my beard. Can I shave in order not to lose my job?
Answer:
If it would mean losing your job, it would be permitted to shave until the week of tisha be’av. However, poskim who write this heter refer to Jews working among non-Jews, and it is difficult to believe that you would actually be fired by Jews on account of your adhering to the halachic principles of your community — and after all, you managed last year, and they re-hired you again for this year, so it seems that they didn’t hold it against you!
Sources: See Iggros Moshe IV, Orach Chaim, no. 102; Halichos Shlomo p. 414; Chazon Ovadya, Fasts, p. 163 and 225.
