What is the proper order for cutting one's fingernails? I know that they should not be cut in order under any circumstances, but is it necessary to keep to a certain order (and, if so, how do you memorize it)? Why is this important and where is it brought down?
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cutting fingernails
(78 posts)-
Posted 6 months ago #
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Point is to not cut any next to each other. I don't know the source, but the order is 1,3,5,2,4, 4,2,3,5,1. It's just skipping one every way, then going back and doing odds, then on the other hand, the same thing.
Posted 6 months ago # -
so as long as I don't cut them in order (from left to right, or vice versa), then I can use any order I want - or is it necessary to stick to this particular order?
Posted 6 months ago # -
so as long as I don't cut them in order (from left to right, or vice versa), then I can use any order I want - or is it necessary to stick to this particular order?
and are you sure - 2,3 is one next to the other...
Posted 6 months ago # -
Why don't they just cut dead peoples nails in that order, and let the live people cut them straight?
Posted 6 months ago # -
whoops!! NO, that was a mistake! 4,2,5,3,1. THANKS!
Posted 6 months ago # -
Hock +1 Like!
Posted 6 months ago # -
Which hand are the fingernails cut first-right or left?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Left
Posted 6 months ago # -
The mekor is a RM"A in ohr hachaim simen 260 se'uf 1.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Thanks Don't get me wrong!
Posted 6 months ago # -
Why left? I would assume you cut the right hand first. You're always supposed to do the right side first, for everything.
Posted 6 months ago # -
possibly so that the rightside is tumah for less amount of time, before you wash negel wasser.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Point. But these things usually don't really work the way we assume it to be, it's more al pi kabalah or stuff like that...
Posted 6 months ago # -
it's actually 24135 and 42531.... bidiagah and dibihege....
בדאגה
דבהגא
א = 1
ב = 2
ג = 3
ד = 4
ה = 5Posted 6 months ago # -
בדאגה is for the right hand, דבהגא for the left. You cut the left hand's fingernails (or toenails) first.
(Just to clarify)Posted 6 months ago # -
mik5 -
I know that they should not be cut in order under any circumstances...
That is a bit strong.
As 'Dont get me wrong' pointed out the source is a Rema in OC 260. The Magen Avraham says on the spot that the Arizal would ridicule (היה מלעיג) the whole concept. Being that this is a matter of Kabbala and the Arizal is arguably the most recognized authority on Kabbala, you can see why there is an argument to be made not to worry about this. The Magen Avraham says it worth being concerned about, even so. The Aruch Hashulchan concludes that "one who cares, cares, and one who doesn't care, doesn't care." Basically do whatever you feel like.
Yankdownunder, Dont get me wrong, Sam2 -
The Aruch Hashulchan writes:
ויקוץ מקודם הצפרנים של יד ימין ואחר כך של שמאל, ובשם הכלבו הביאו להיפך, ליטול תחלה של שמאל, (א"ר סק"ו) ולא ידעתי טעמו
Posted 6 months ago # -
Are you saying that kabbalah is a lie c"v?
Posted 6 months ago # -
mik5 -
No.
I am saying that the Arizal, the preeminent authority of Kabbala, did not hold of this law. So even within the Kabbalistic community this law isn't held of.
Posted 6 months ago # -
I see. But many people are stringent about this now, I think.
Posted 6 months ago # -
mik5 -
Some are and some aren't. The important thing is not to judge those who aren't, because they certainly have what to rely on.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Which is the day you shouldn't cut, Wednesday or Thursday (and is that evening)?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Chas v'sholom that I should judge someone. I'm just an aspiring BT. (Besides, how would I know how you cut your nails?) However, I read that cutting them in order from left to right can cause you to forget your learning c"v.
mommamaia22: You shouldn't cut your nails on Shabbos. You also shouldn't cut them on a day when by Shabbos they will grow up - i.e., Wednesday. I think we do toenails on Thursdays and fingernails on Fridays, but I could be wrong.
Posted 6 months ago # -
We cut left first, because we're going towards right. Right is our destination, so we start with left and work our way towards right.
Posted 6 months ago # -
mommamia22 -
It happens to be a machlokes if that halacha is true, but the answer is Thursday. I would assume Wednesday night inclusive.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Thursday
Posted 6 months ago # -
i heard once that if you don't go by kabbalah usually then you don't have to do this procedure , is that true?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Why can't both toe and finger nails be cut on the same day?
Also....how important is it to "gather" the nails in a tissue and flush them??
My kids freak out when I have to cut their nails... Making sure to catch it in a tissue is a near impossibility. Dividing fingers and toes to two separate days is likewise torturous.Posted 6 months ago # -
Brotherofurs: I have never seen that but it would make sense based on a Rama in another place.
Posted 6 months ago # -
mommia22, its written in a few places strongly not to cut both in one day, but the sharei tshuva quotes from someone, that one does not have to be makpid on it. So if its so torturous maybe you can rely on that.
And about 'gathering' all the nails, the gemarah in nida says that one that throws it around is called a rasha ch''v. And that if a pregnent women steps on it, its dangarous for the child R''L.Posted 6 months ago # -
Who is right as far the order for first the left hand then right hand when cutting the fingernails-SaysMe in that order of fingernails or the order of fingernails described by real israeli? I am confused who is correct.
Posted 6 months ago # -
I learned in sem the same as Israeli.
Posted 6 months ago # -
M22: Gathering them up is very important. But you don't have to catch them in a tissue. Often the most effective way is to cut them right above the toilet and just flush them afterwards.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Do these halachos apply if someone else is cutting your nails for you? Should you tell the manicurist to cut every other nail? And should you only go get a manicure on the days that u are allowed to cut your nails?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Yank- Follow real isreali! SaysMe makes mistakes more than once!!
Posted 6 months ago # -
the reason people are makpid about not cutting both finger and toenails on the same day is because that is what they do to a dead person - cut both at the same time. (Except for a lady going to mikva - then she is allowed)
Posted 6 months ago # -
It's not that she's allowed. A woman is obligated to cut both her toenails and fingernails before she goes to the Mikvah.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Is there an issue with clipping nails after Sh'kia?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Another Siman is mentioned by the Drisha and is easier for me to remember: Kashia >> Kmitza Smol Yemin Etzba. That Siman also tells you which hand goes first.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Cinderella,
It's a good question, but, I think if you ask a manicurist to cut every other nail (in an order) they're going to think you've lost it.Posted 6 months ago # -
I don't worry about this issue.
Posted 6 months ago # -
are you sure - it's assur to cut nails (both finger & toe) on Thursday? google it.
I think it's Wednesday b/c then they grew back by Shabbos.
Posted 6 months ago # -
It's Thursday because then it begins growing back on Shabbos. They begin growing back in earnest, Al Pi Kaballah, on the third day. And don't use the word "Assur". Many might be Noheg not to do it, but there are many Poskim who don't hold of the whole Halacha. In fact, it's brought down that because you shouldn't cut them both on the same day (and that Halacha trumps the 3rd day before Shabbos one) that you should cut your toenails on Thursday and your fingernails on Friday Lekavod Shabbos.
Posted 6 months ago # -
mik5, the reason is b/c then they grow back on shabbos, but that's on Thursday. I think toes you're allowed on Thursday.
Posted 6 months ago # -
is it true you can't cut nails on motsai shabbat? Someone told me, and I want to confirm.
Also why can't you cut toes and finger nails same day?and also is it true cut nails are bad for pregnant ladies to touch?
Posted 6 months ago # -
I never cut them on Motzai Shabbos because I feel like it's rude towards Shabbos but there is no Halachic source for that.
The Gemara says that a pregnant woman who walks over clippings can lose her baby. We assume that this is for mystical reasons, but I was once given an excellent practical Pshat. Someone pointed out to me that it was entirely possible that a pregnant woman who stepped on a nail felt like she had just been bitten by a scorpion and lost her baby due to the trauma/fear.
Posted 6 months ago # -
tzaddiq- I believe the problem with cutting nails on Motzei Shabbos is that it shows a lack of kovod to Shabbos. If thet needed to be cut it shouldve been done before Shabbos.
In regards to pregnant women and cut nails, the potential hezek is only if she steps on them in the place where they fell. If they are swept across the room there is no problem. (This is based on a Gemora, I forget where it is)
Posted 6 months ago # -
thank you Sam2 and yungerman1.
I had a neighbour that would save all his cut nails, and that of his family, and burn them with the chometz on erev pesach. What is the source for that?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Al Pi Kaballah some say to burn everything that was once a part of your body- scabs, nails, hair, etc.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Saving cut nails for an entire year sounds totally gross!
Posted 6 months ago #
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