Volume 8. Issue 3. • Email Edition • The Shaitel make money, and 2) barber shop droppings. India has two very unique Controversy sources for human hair. One is Reviewed by Horav Yisroel Belsky from combed waste hair (i.e. the loose strands of hair that get tangled in one’s comb or The Market for Human Hair brush). Many people who live in India as a dough conditioner or as an es- n our society, human hair plays do not put the hair in the waste bin sential component in the production a tremendous role in the produc- out of the superstitious fear that the of certain flavors. L-cysteine is an tion of many commercially sold hair might be found by someone they I amino acid which can be extracted know who will use the hair for black items. Most commonly, hair is used in from human hair after it undergoes a the manufacturing of wigs, toupees, magic or curses against them. Instead, hydrolyzed process. L-cysteine makes and hair extensions. These products the hair is given or sold to strangers up about 14% of the hair. This acid are widely used for individuals who who collect the hair for purposes of can also be produced from poultry experience hair loss, either naturally exporting it for the production of hair feathers or artificially, but human hair or as a result of undergoing medical products. Also included in this cate- is one of the most popular sources. treatment ò''ì (e.g. chemotherapy). gory of combed waste hair are barber These products are also commonly Human hair is also used in the shop droppings. used by individuals such as actors, production of suit and coat linings. The second source of hair in In- dia is from temple hair. India has a news reporters, talk show hosts, etc. Sources for Commercially number of Hindu temples where peo- who wish to have a certain appear- Used Human Hair ance. Hair extensions are implanted ple go and shave their hair. The exact into one’s head and blend in with Human hair can be obtained for ritual and motives for this practice will one’s natural hair. Hair extensions commercial production primarily from be part of our discussion. are often used to produce a desired two places across the globe: Europe Some reports have asserted that style which cannot be created solely and Asia. European hair is from the it is not part of the Indian culture to with one’s natural hair. Likewise, they most expensive hair due to its rich cut off hair and sell it for monetary are used to cover up a minor bald quality. India is one of the leading reasons as is the case in Europe. spot. The portion of the wig market exporters of human hair in Asia. After Consequently, the origin of hair that that caters to married Jewish women countries in Europe, India is the sec- comes from India is primarily limited is only a minor segment of the very ond leading exporter of hair in the to the two sources previously men- lucrative international market. world. Indian hair has a very close tioned. Others have contented that Human hair is also very benefi- resemblance to European hair. Two there is a large market of women who cial in the pharmaceutical and food of the major sources in Europe for cut cut off their hair and sell it, but that industries. There is a chemical known human hair are: 1) poor people who the overwhelming majority of hair as L-cysteine that is commonly used cut off their hair and sell it in order to comes from combed waste hair. Please Note: Due to the intricacy of the material discussed in each issue, and the brevity of its treatment, a Rov should be consulted for a final psak halacha. In addi- tion, this publication does not intend to be òéøëî on issues that are a machlokes haposkim. Although we have usually brought the dissenting views in the footnotes, we have selected for simplicity sake to incorporate into the main text the views of the Mishnah Berurah, R’ Moshe Feinstein, R’ Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach and several other preeminent poskim. Please send all questions and comments to 1341 E. 23rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11210 or email to [email protected] Practices Performed at the provide free food and housing for pil- the Hindu faith who are employed by Tirupati Temple in India grims, as well as to operate five hospi- the temple. Approximately 25,000 pil- tals, twelve colleges and other charita- grims tonsure daily (i.e. half the Prior to discussing the practices ble institutions. amount of the daily attendees at the performed at the Tirupati temple, it is According to Hindu legend, their temple). There is no charge for the vital to mention two points. Firstly, it is lord supposedly came down to earth tonsure. The pilgrims remove their forbidden for a Yid to study the prac- taking the form of a human being. He shoes and leave them outside the tices of other religions. However, when met a princess whom he proposed building. The Kalyana Katta building is doing so is necessary in order to arrive marriage to. He borrowed huge funds located on top of the hill, but is sepa- at a halachic decision, it is permitted. to pay for the costs of the royal wed- rate from the temple building. The ac- Obviously, even in such a situation, ding and agreed to repay it with inter- tual temple only occupies a portion of only the portions of the religious prac- est. Shortly thereafter, he died without the hill. The Kalyana Katta is the larg- tices that are directly related to the ha- repaying the money. The temple in est location for tonsures. There are a lachic question may be studied. This Tirupati is dedicated for the purpose of number of mini barber shops located last point was taken into serious con- raising money to repay this karmic nearby that charge a fee for those who sideration when the following discus- debt. The temple has many boxes wish to avoid the lines at the main ton- sion was prepared. In the following called hundi where people place all sure hall. Additionally, those staying at discussion, we have included some sorts of monetary gifts. We will discuss nearby guest houses and cottages can details that may appear to be inconse- below that the sale of hair is only a request, for a fee, that a private ton- quential. However, as we will attempt small fraction of the temple’s income sure be performed there. to illustrate, all of the information we and that the sale of hair is actually a Most pilgrims have their heads present here is indeed important and relatively new monetary venture in the shaved completely with a razor blade, necessary in order to gain a complete temple. though a practice of cutting only three picture of the practices performed. This locks of hair has recently become will ultimately aid in attaining a clearer Most of the pilgrims begin hiking widespread. While receiving the ton- understanding of the halachic ramifica- up the long and steep hill to the temple sure, the pilgrims sit on the floor with tions of these religious rituals. Sec- in the morning. While hiking up the their legs crossed and they bend their ondly, although there are no footnotes hill, they chant one of their god’s heads forward while chanting or think- for the upcoming paragraphs, exten- names. Upon arriving at the peak of ing their god’s name along with vari- sive research was done to gather this the hill, they perform all sorts of as- ous lyrics. For pilgrims who have long information and all the information tounding practices there. To name a hair and are having a complete ton- recorded here is based on accurate few: Some people begin rolling down sure performed, two long braids are and reliable sources. Some of these a hill chanting all types of lyrics, while made with a ribbon placed on each sources include eyewitness reports, others insert various food items into braid to hold it in place. The braids are official documentations, as well as in- the mouth of an elephant and then cut off and allowed to fall into a small terviews with individuals who are place their heads under the trunk of ditch behind the pilgrim. The rest of knowledgeable and well-versed in the elephant. It is unclear whether the hair is then razed off at the scalp. these matters. In instances where there these practices are performed merely As the hair piles up in the ditch, a were conflicting reports, we will pre- for the pilgrims’ own enjoyment or if group of hair collectors go around col- sent the facts as they were reported. If, they are actual religious rituals. lecting the hair in dustpans and place indeed, some of the information is in- There is a place in the temple the hair in a large metal bin. Once that accurate, we stand corrected and ap- where weddings are performed daily. bin is full, special employees arrive and preciate the feedback of our readers. There is one building where the idol transport the bin to a storage facility. Tirupati is a religious city located undergoes a religious bath and is After receiving the tonsure, the in southeastern India. Tirupati is one anointed with camphor, saffron and pilgrims are directed to immerse them- of the largest religious attractions in all musk. The waiting list to observe this selves in a tank called the Pushkarini. of India, with over 50,000 visitors ceremony is over a half a decade long. They immerse themselves without re- daily. Tirupati contains seven hills and One of the main attractions at the moving their clothing. Following the at the top of the seventh hill is the Ti- temple is the Kalyana Katta, which is immersion, they dress themselves with rumali temple. This Hindu temple is more simply known as the barber clean, dry clothing. They then proceed the wealthiest religious institution in shop. The Kalyana Katta is a four-story to the temple where they wait on a India and is the second richest in the building where over 600 barbers oper- long line called the darshan for their world after the Vatican in Rome. The ate in three shifts around the clock ton- chance to meet the shrine deity for a Tirumali temple has an annual budget suring the pilgrims (i.e. shaving the few fleeting seconds. The wait on the that exceeds 120 million dollars. The hair of the pilgrims). The barbers are line often lasts as long as 24 hours. temple uses the money it receives to not priests, but are regular believers of 2 Email Edition Halacha Berurah • Vol. 8 Issue 3 Prior to waiting on the line, the pil- the matter. A number of Indian mizbe’ach. Other items must un- grims are required to circle a person, Hindu priests and professors were dergo a very unique process. For an idol or the temple in a clockwise consulted. Additionally, some ba’alei example, if an item that is normally direction. Once inside the temple, teshuvah, as well as converts who used in the worship of the avodah they enter one of the innermost once believed in the Hindu faith and zarah is cut or broken in front of the rooms where they get a brief glimpse were exposed to these rituals, were avodah zarah and the one breaking it of the deity and they quickly circle it interviewed extensively. has the intention of worshiping the once while chanting one of his many These various investigations avodah zarah through that act, the names. The idol has a diamond resulted in contradictory reports. At item becomes forbidden. crown which is said to be one the first, many of the gedolei Eretz Yis- Thus, virtually all poskim agreed most expensive ornaments in the roel accepted the reports of some of that the answers to three questions world. the delegations sent down to India. would determine whether the hair The reports from these delegates in- from the Tirupati temple is indeed The Recent Hullabaloo dicated that the earlier understanding considered a sacrificial offering and The act of tonsuring has always of how and why the tonsuring is per- forbidden to be benefited from. been an integral part of the pilgrims’ formed was inaccurate. Many signs 1. Why do the pilgrims tonsure visit to the Tirupati temple. The cut were then posted forbidding any their hair? hair was always discarded after the benefit to be derived from Indian 2. Where do the pilgrims ton- tonsuring. Within the last half a cen- hair. Since then, much investigative sure their hair? work has been done. Many more tury, the temple realized that there is 3. What intentions do the bar- witnesses and experts in the field a great need for human hair on the bers have while tonsuring have come forward and completely open market and that if they were to the hair? auction off the hair, it would be quite rejected these reports, claiming that Each question will be analyzed a lucrative venture for the temple. the original understanding is indeed individually. Approximately thirty years ago, the accurate one. the shaila was raised as to whether a Consequently, many of the Why Do The Pilgrims Yid is forbidden to benefit from the leading gedolei Eretz Yisroel, with Tonsure Their Hair? tonsured hair. In the previous issue, Rav Elyashiv at the forefront, have we discussed at length a number of strongly encouraged that a beis din It is unanimously accepted that precise guidelines that apply to items convene and decide which report tonsuring is usually performed for which play a distinctive role in the regarding the actual tonsuring proce- one of the following three reasons: 1) service of an avodah zara and are dure is more accurate. Much effort is In rites of passage (e.g. to mark a thus forbidden to be benefited from. being exerted to see to it that the ar- change in social status, such as from At the time that this shaila was first rangement of such a din torah is effi- infancy to childhood or upon enter- broached, based upon the informa- ciently organized and will take place ing widowhood), 2) In anticipation of tion the poskim received, virtually all shortly. divine intercession (i.e. as an act to poskim ruled that it was permitted to In this article, we do not intend please the deity in hope that this will benefit from the hair. The shaila re- to present any specific opinion as the merit the acceptance of one’s wish), surfaced again approximately fifteen more accurate one. Instead, we will 3) In fulfillment of a vow (i.e. as a years ago, and once again, after re- explore all the issues involved and form of thanks to the deity for re- searching the ritual procedure, al- the differing views as they will be sponding to one’s wish positively). most all the poskim permitted the presented to the beis din ä''éà. The point of contention primar- hair. The poskim who permitted its ily hinges upon what the religious use included Rav Moshe Feinstein, The Halachic Inquiries objective of the practice of tonsuring is. As mentioned above, investiga- Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach, and We mentioned in the past issue tions have produced contradictory è "çìáé Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. that äøæ äãåáò úåáåø÷ú, sacrificial reports. Recently, the shaila was raised offerings, are one of the categories of yet again based on a claim that the avodah zarah which can become The accepted explanation information that had been presented forbidden. Only certain items can amongst Hindu priests, professors to these Rabbonim was inaccurate qualify as sacrificial offerings when and the media is that the hair is re- and that the matter must therefore be merely given as a present and placed moved as a surrender of one’s ego. investigated anew. Suddenly, a ma- in front of the avodah zarah. Exam- Hair on one’s head is considered a jor tumult broke out. Several delega- ples of such items are oil, wine, flour, symbol of vanity. Removing the hair tions were sent to India to investigate meat, etc. which were brought on the is an act of self-sacrifice of a prized possession. It is an act of submission Halacha Berurah • Vol. 8 Issue 3 Email Edition 3 of one’s ego to the deity and causes their understanding of the practice perform the tonsure in front of an the pilgrim to be overcome with a was completely different. idol. strong sense of humility. Thus, it is According to the information A number of ballei teshuvah not an act of worship, but a prepara- these delegates gathered, the pilgrims and converts came forward and con- tory act for worship. stated that they were under the im- firmed the version reported by the If in reality this would be the pression that their god ‘likes’ hair priests, professors and the media. accurate explanation of the tonsuring and that they are giving him their They explained that the statements procedure, the hair would not be hair as a sacrifice. Thus, the act of made by the priests were not dis- prohibited as äøæ äãåáò úáåø÷ú, for tonsuring would be considered an torted in order to maintain a positive the hair itself is not an integral part of act of worship just like slaughtering image to the western world. Rather, the ritual. It is the act of removing the an animal to an avodah zarah. These the statements that the delegates had hair and the results of doing so (i.e. delegates commented that in order to gathered from some of the worship- submissiveness, humility and lessen- reconcile the conflicting reports, it ers which implied the contrary, were ing one’s vanity) that is of conse- seemed to them that the intellectual made by simple-minded pilgrims quence. In other words, it is an act Hindus are fearful of being projected who are not fluent in the Hindu code that is done to the person and not to to the western world as a primitive and attempt to interpret their prac- the hair. A similar illustration would third-world country full of archaic tices with a more straightforward and be regarding a person who takes a customs and bizarre rituals. There- practical outlook. shower in front of an avoda zara in fore, according to these delegates, The ballei teshuvah and con- order to cleanse himself, where all the Hindus prefer to describe the act verts were appalled at how such an agree that the dirt removed would of removing one’s hair as an act of understanding could even be consid- not be rendered äøæ äãåáò úáåø÷ú, as self-sacrifice and surrendering one’s ered, since it would clearly contradict it is only a by-product of a purifica- ego, as opposed to an actual act of the very essence of Hinduism. They tion process. worship. explained that maintaining ritual pu- As an aside, it is worthy to men- In proof of their analysis, the rity is a constant concern for Hindus; tion that some people erroneously delegates cited the fact that a number a concern that underlies the hierar- distorted this understanding of the of women don’t perform a full ton- chical caste system which demarks ritual practice and reported that the sure and instead only remove a few the social order. The primary source objective is to demean and embar- locks of hair. The delegates claimed of defilement is contact with death rass oneself by appearing bald in that if the purpose of the tonsure was and organic wastes (i.e. primarily front of the idol (similar to the de- to surrender one’s ego, it is incom- those from the human body) such as scriptions of acts done in front of the prehensible that the removal of such saliva, urine, perspiration and cut avodah zarah of øåòô ìòá). Although a diminutive amount of hair would hair and fingernails. Consequently, the hair would be permitted even be sufficient. As a present to the de- shaving hair is considered pollution according to this version, it is an in- ity, however, any gift in any denomi- which can be remedied by bathing. accurate understanding of the prac- nation is acceptable. Barbers who constantly come into tice, for even if some of one’s hair is A number of other findings also contact with polluting substances (i.e. removed and he is not defamed, it is seem to portray tonsuring as an ac- cut hair) are classified as impure and still an acceptable tonsure. Further- tual act of worship. Firstly, those en- occupy a low status in the hierarchy more, it is clearly documented that it tering the Kalyana Katta are required of castes. The collectors who go is the act of surrendering one’s ego to remove their shoes and leave around collecting the cut hair from that is significant. them outside the tonsure hall. They the floor have an even lower status Nevertheless, a number of dis- utter or think the idol’s name while than barbers. These people are re- tinguished delegates who were sent receiving their tonsure and they all sit ferred to as ‘untouchables’, since to India at the behest of gedolei Eretz in a prescribed position. A small people of higher ranked castes dis- Yisroel reported a totally different amount of people actually take the tance themselves from them. They description of the ritual. They re- hair and offer it on an altar before an avoid accepting cooked food from ported that although the previous idol. In fact, one of the rooms where them, since such food is considered assertion that the accepted explana- people receive tonsures in the Kaly- polluted. It is for this reason as well, tion amongst the priests and intellec- ana Katta actually contains an idol, that the Kalyana Katta is a separate tuals is that the sole purpose of the while some of the other rooms sim- facility away from the temple, so that tonsure is to surrender one’s ego, ply contain pictures of idols. Those no contamination enters the temple. nevertheless, after interviewing a receiving private tonsures in their The immersion that is done prior to number of simple-minded pilgrims, cottages and guest houses actually entering the temple purifies the pil- grims from the pollution caused by 4 Email Edition Halacha Berurah • Vol. 8 Issue 3 the cut hair and the impurities that minutive amount of hair cut from tain where the temple is situated, but are contracted by coming in contact them does not take away from the that it is in a separate building from with the barbers. According to the humility associated with the act. The the temple. We also mentioned that Hindu faith, it is forbidden to bring main idea of the act in their eyes is many poskim maintain that even if any cut hair into the temple. Thus, for one to be willing to part with the cutting of the hair is in fact an act the Hindu religion would surely not some of their vanity in order to of worship, the hair would only be call for the giving of such impure please their god. Obviously, the forbidden if the cutting is done in waste to their god. more hair a person surrenders, the front of the avodah zarah. They also explained that per- more praiseworthy it is considered in The delegation that went to In- haps due to a language barrier, the their eyes. dia inquired as follows: If the intent is delegates may have misunderstood The ballei teshuvah pointed out simply to give the hair to their god as the information they received when that outsiders who are not fluent in a present, why don’t they just send interviewing a number of pilgrims. the religion will surely be over- the hair to the temple instead of hav- There are many languages spoken whelmed at first sight by what takes ing to go up to the temple to receive by the pilgrims and often their re- place at the Kalyana Katta and draw the tonsure there? The pilgrims ex- sponses had to be translated several erroneous conclusions. plained that they choose to have the times into a number of languages Furthermore, even if there are a tonsure performed at the temple, until the delegates understood them. number of simple-minded pilgrims because that is where the idol is pre- Additionally, although many Indians who interpret the act of tonsuring in sent. Additionally, upon hearing that speak English, their dialect and their a more primitive and practical way, various acts of worship are per- method of expression differs from the still, religious tenets are determined formed on that hill, a number of ge- English that is spoken in Western by the pastors and ministers of the dolei Eretz Yisroel stated that the English-speaking countries. religion and not by the masses. entire mountain is viewed as being in The common usage of the word Be’ezras Hashem, a beis din the presence of the idol and that a “offer”, which was one of the key that is currently being convened by tonsure that takes place on that words used by the pilgrims to de- the gedolim will analyze both view- mountain is considered to have been scribe the tonsuring ritual, differs points and decide which one is more done in front of the avoda zara. The greatly when used by Indians and authentic and reliable. poskim who permitted the hair the those living in Western English- first time this shaila was raised, based speaking countries. To the Indians, Where Do The Pilgrims their p’sak partially upon the under- the word “offer” is used in the con- Tonsure Their Hair? standing that the haircuts are actually text of “surrender” or “renunciation”. performed in a distinct location out- We mentioned above that the When they say that they offer their side the temple. tonsure hall is located on the moun- hair to their god, they mean that they are performing an act of abandon- ment and are giving away their hair. When they say that their god accepts the hair, they do not mean that he physically receives the hair, but that he is happy with it. It is similar to the expression ‘G-d accepts our prayer’. Consequently, the pilgrims’ statement that they are offering their hair to their god is no proof that a korbon is being given to their god. The reason why shoes are taken off before entering the temple and prayers are recited while receiving the tonsure is due to the fact that such a sacrifice of ego carries much weight and importance in the Hindu religion and is a very significant pre- paratory act for worship which will follow in the temple. The fact that a number of people only have a di- Map of the Tirumala temple mount Halacha Berurah • Vol. 8 Issue 3 Email Edition 5 It is worthy to mention that the thoughts. Instead, they are heavily rection. Cuticles can be stripped by outcome of this shaila is directly de- engrossed in conversation with each soaking the hair in an acid bath. pendent upon our discussion in the other about the most mundane top- Healthy tight cuticles reflect previous section whether the act of ics including union issues and poli- shiny, silky and strong hair, while tonsuring is an inherent act of servi- tics, or they simply joke around with hair with damaged or removed cuti- tude. Additionally, it has been re- one another. cles reflects dull lifeless hair. Conse- ported that Indians who cannot be This issue will also be taken up quently, premium quality hair is hair present at the temple do have ton- by the beis din. that has all the cuticles intact and all sures performed elsewhere. Just re- the hair aligned in the same direc- cently, an Indian lady who is very What Happens To The Hair? tion. Such hair is called remy hair. well-versed in the Hindu code was We mentioned above that the Remy hair is obtained by plac- interviewed. She recounted that she hair is collected and deposited in ing ribbons on portions of a woman’s was in New York before her daugh- large metal bins. Once the bins are long hair and than cutting off the ter’s birthday and wanted to have a full, they are transported to a storage hair. The cuticles are still intact and tonsure performed on her daughter, facility where the hair is combed and the ribbon preserves the proper so she took her daughter to a regular separated according to size, color alignment. The availability of such barber shop and had the tonsure and texture. The temple holds an hair is very limited and the hair is performed there. In fact, in the state auction several times a year where expensive. of Pennsylvania there is a barber Indian hair distributors bid for the Most industrial hair is processed shop that advertises that one can hair. At the distributors’ processing from combed brush hair or barber make an appointment to have a ton- centers, the hair gets sorted, washed, shop droppings. Such hair must be sure performed there. dried and hackled, and then goes chemically processed to remove the Based upon the interrogation of through several other processes cuticles to avoid tangling and must witnesses, the beis din will also deter- which increase the quality of the hair. be matched with other hair based on mine whether the rituals performed The hair is then exported to manu- size, color and texture. Due to the on top of the mountain create an facturers of wigs, toupees, hair exten- large availability of such hair and the atmosphere that causes the entire sions and other hair products. China, fact that such hair must still be mountain to be considered the pres- Korea and Italy are the leading im- chemically processed, the hair in its ence of the avoda zara or if the loca- porters of cut hair from India. Once raw state is significantly cheaper. tions where the rituals are performed the hair products are manufactured, We mentioned earlier that some are considered completely distinct. they are sold to wholesalers who dis- reported that in India it is generally What Intentions Do The tribute them worldwide. not the custom for poor women to have their hair grown and then cut to Barbers Have While Various Grades of Hair Tonsuring The Hair? be sold. The temples are thus a very There are several different good source for obtaining remy hair, We discussed in the previous grades of hair available on the mar- since women voluntarily offer their issue that in order for the hair to be ket. The grade is determined by the hair to be cut. As mentioned above, considered äø æ äãåáò úåáåø÷ú, the one quality of the hair and by the align- the temple in Tirupati holds several who actually cuts the hair must have ment of each batch of hair. auctions a year selling such hair. The in mind that he is performing an act Each strand of hair is generally temple also sells inferior quality hair, of worship. made up of three components: the but such hair is not used in the The delegation reported that medulla, the cortex and the cuticle. manufacturing of wigs or hair exten- some of the barbers claimed that The outside hair shaft is comprised of sions. their intentions are twofold: 1. To several layers of overlapping shingle- The Hair Market earn a good salary, and 2. To fulfill like cuticles. These cuticles run in one their religious duty. The barbers direction from the base of a person’s Even if it is established that the added that they themselves receive head to the tip of the hair. hair that comes from India is indeed tonsures and have the same religious In natural human hair, all the forbidden, we must still analyze beliefs as the pilgrims. cuticles go in the same direction. This whether there is reason to suspect Others contended that even prevents the strands of hair from get- that the hair in one’s wig comes from though the barbers are aware of ting tangled. In order to prevent the temple. what is transpiring, nevertheless, processed hair from tangling, the cu- Please note: Just as we men- while performing the tonsure, they ticle layer has to be stripped or the tioned above regarding the descrip- are not thinking of any religious hair must be aligned in the same di- tion of the ritual procedure, much

6 Email Edition Halacha Berurah • Vol. 8 Issue 3 investigation has been done to track We mentioned above that some manner, the hair loses its premium distribution routes and import and reports have asserted that it is not natural quality. This premium natural export quotas. We have been in con- part of the Indian culture to cut off quality is what sets remy hair apart tact with leading distributors, the hair and sell it for monetary reasons from the more popular and cheaper United Nations statistics division and and that only a small amount of hair combed waste hair. Consequently, other experts in the hair industry. In comes from women who cut and sell remy hair is too expensive for the addition, we have received much their hair. Consequently, according companies to purchase and then documentation and many detailed to these reports almost all remy hair have processed. It is much cheaper media reports on the subject. that is available originates from the to purchase the regular combed Only a minor portion of the wigs Indian temples. Others have con- waste hair which has to be processed sold in the United States are made tented that there is actually a large anyway. from Indian hair. Consequently, market of women who cut off their „ As we mention in every article, we when the tumult initially broke out, hair and sell it. Determining the true have no intention to be òéø ëî on any the gedolei Eretz Yisroel paskened source of remy hair is dependent on issues, especially an issue as complex that one should try to determine the which of these reports is valid. as this one. Our only intention is to origin of one’s wig. People who have Recently, reports have quoted present a basic synopsis of the hala- trouble doing so may rely on the ma- individuals who invested much time chic issues that the poskim have dealt jority and assume that their wigs do investigating the market of hair pro- with in dealing with this shailoh. not contain Indian hair. duction and claim that there is a very The remainder of the article will minute chance, if any at all, that tem- In the Next Issue ple hair is used in the manufacturing discuss the market of Indian hair. The Shechita Crisis, Animal of our wigs. These individuals re- Based upon sales statistics, India Rights and Pets in Halacha exports over 1,100 tons of hair annu- ported that most remy hair is used to ally which can be used for wig- manufacture hair extensions. A much • In which instances does the Torah ex- making. The Tirupati temple, which smaller percentage of remy hair is hibit its extreme sensitivity towards the treatment of animals? is the largest temple where tonsures used for the manufacturing of expen- • Is shechita considered the quickest and are performed, sells only about 140 sive wigs. Moreover, they asserted that the remy hair from the temple is most humane method of killing ani- tons of hair annually which can be mals? used for wig-making. This hair is sold primarily to countries such as Italy, Argentina, Singapore, etc. The • Do post-shechita procedures violate used in the production of hair prod- any common decency towards ani- ucts such as wigs, toupees and hair average price of hair purchased by mals? the hair processing plants in China extensions. The hair that the temple • Are hunting and fishing halachically sells for the production of these prod- and Korea is significantly less than acceptable hobbies? the price that the temple sells its hair ucts is considered remy hair, since • Fly-zappers, glue traps, fly swatters: the hair is unprocessed and retains its for. This determination was made by Which of these are halachically recom- natural alignment. Obviously the sig- inspecting the invoices of leading mended? nificant majority of hair exported manufacturers and the sales receipts • Does the process of producing white from India does not originate from of the temple foundation. The Indian veal violate halacha? Should one avoid temples. Most of the hair exported wigs commonly sold on the Jewish purchasing white veal? from India is the combed brush hair market are primarily manufactured in • Is it permissible to over-feed geese to discussed above. Many of the lead- China and Korea. The very expen- produce abnormally enlarged livers? ing exporters have hundreds of sive wigs used by actors, news re- • Animal Experimentation: Is it halachi- woman sorting out such hair and porters and talk show hosts, are cally forbidden? performing various preparative steps processed in the other countries. • Does the Torah advocate giving food to a hungry street-cat? prior to exporting them. The hair is There are others who have con- primarily processed in the countries tended that these assertions are not • Is feeding bread to pigeons permitted? entirely conclusive. Nonetheless, How does this affect the minhagim of that make them into wigs. India Tashlich and Shabbos Shira? hardly exports any finished wigs. some have pointed out that logic would dictate that the previous con- • Horseback riding and animal training: China, which has many hair process- What issues must be taken into consid- ing plants, is the leading importer clusion is indeed correct because eration? most Indian hair is naturally very from India, as they import over 660 • What is the Torahdike perspective of tons of hair annually which can be black. Jewish wigs are not that color. owning pets? What halachos apply to used for wig-making. In order to change the hair color, the one who owns a pet? hair would have to be processed. Once the hair is processed in such a Halacha Berurah • Vol. 8 Issue 3 Email Edition 7 Halacha Berurah (USPS #022- 439) (ISSN #1553-1821) is published monthly by Cong. Halacha Berurah, 1341 East 23rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11210-5112. Individual Annual Subscriptions are $18. Annual Shul Package Subscriptions are $36. Periodical Postage Paid at Brooklyn, NY and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster please send address change to Halacha Berurah, 1341 East 23rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11210- coming soon 5112. NewColumn Halacha Berurah is proud to announce that we will soon begin a new column, Ask the Gedolei Haposkim, through which readers will Ephraim Elli Bohm A Forum Publisher; Author be able to submit shailos to some of the leading poskim of our

Yitzchok Hisiger generation. Managing Editor for Our Mordechai Goldburd Questions submitted will be posed to one of the following poskim: Typeset & Design • Horav Dovid Feinstein, Rosh Yeshivah, Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim Rabbi Meier Saslow Readers to • Horav Yisroel Belsky, Rosh Yeshivah, Yeshivah Torah Vodaas Administrative Assistant

Avrohom Goldberg • Horav Shlomo Miller, Rosh Kollel, Kollel Avreichim - Toronto Technical Manager Pose

Tzvi Geller In addition to the limud hatorah that is generated by this column, the purpose of this Zeirei Liaison Halachic column is twofold. Firstly, it is to provide the general public with an available forum to present questions in all areas of halacha to leading poskim of our time. Secondly, it serves to alert readers of common shailos that some people are bothered by and may go Questions unnoticed by the general public.

This Project is Please note that this column is not aimed at tackling well-known halachic disputes Dedicated ð"æì to Leading amongst poskim and publicizing or promoting the view of a particular posek. Additionally, áàæ 'ø ïá ñçðô 'ø this column clearly does not take the place of local Rabbonim who should be consulted éåìä ÷çöé 'ø úá äøù äéç Poskim constantly with regard to all shailos.

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Mazel Tov to Binyamin and Naomi Kurland on the birth of twin girls, Meira and Shanni. May they see much nachas.

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