Q. How important is it to have a beard?
A. A beard evokes the thirteen attributes of mercy, and brings down blessings for success. These attributes draw forth from Hashem’s unlimited, infinite mercy and has the ability to bring infinite blessing in this finite and limited reality of the world. According to many great halachic authorities, not growing a beard is a severe prohibition in the Torah. Even according to the opinion that one may shave, there are serious issues with the kashrut of the shavers on the market.
Q. When hair falls out from someone’s beard, is it necessary to put it in a book? It always made me uncomfortable opening a book and seeing it.
A. There are various sources that indicate that this was a common practice amongst tzaddikim, due to the holiness of their beard. However, in more recent times, many halachic authorities have decried this custom, especially when placing into a book that does not belong to oneself, due to its being repulsive, disrespect to the book, causing bitul Torah (prevents others from using it), etc. This is especially true if one would normally throw the hair away, but places it in a book only while learning.
Adapted from Rav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Bet Din of Crown Heights, reprinted from Chabadinfo.com
