Question: Does growing out one’s forelock constitute the prohibition of following in the paths of non-Jews?
Answer: The Tosefta (Shabbat, Chapter 7, Halacha 1) states that it is forbidden to grow out one’s forelock because of “paths of the Emorite”, i.e. since this is a non-Jewish custom and the Torah states, “And you shall not walk in their statutes.”
The Poskim disagree about the nature of the forelock one is forbidden to grow out. According to Rashi (in his commentary on Sotah 49b) writes that this refers to one who shaves off the hair in the front of one’s head (above the face) completely and leaves hair to grow on the back of one’s head (somewhat like a ponytail). This would constitute the “paths of the Emorite” since gentiles would customarily style their hair in such a manner in service of their idols. Similarly, the Tashbetz (Volume 3, Chapter 93) writes: “In the times of our Sages, the non-Jews would shave the front of their heads and leave their hair to grow in the back of their heads and this is what is called a ‘forelock’.”
On the other hand, the Rambam (Chapter 11 of Hilchot Avodah Zara) writes: “One may not follow the tenets of the gentiles. Thus, one may not grow out one’s hair as they do and one may not shave one’s head at the sides and leave hair in the middle as they do and this is called a ‘forelock’.” Maran Ha’Bet Yosef (Yoreh De’ah, Chapter 178) writes that according to the Rambam, the prohibition to grow out one’s hair is only when one shaves the sides of one’s head and leaves the hair in the middle of one’s head or in the back of one’s head (in accordance with Rashi’s explanation) to grow out. However, merely growing out the hair in the front of one’s head is not prohibited. It seems from the words of Maran Ha’Bet Yosef that, halachically speaking, one may rely on the opinion of Rashi and the Rambam that there is no prohibition to grow out the hair in the front of one’s head somewhat. This does not constitute following the tenets of the non-Jews.
Nevertheless, many great Acharonim write that it is prohibited to grow out the hair in the front of one’s head. Indeed, Maran Ha’Chida in his Birkei Yosef (Chapter 178) quotes the opinion of Hagaon Harav David Korinaldi zt”l who rules that it is forbidden to grow out one’s hair for aesthetic purposes. He concludes, “Many young men transgress this law and they should be rebuked, perhaps they will listen and repent.” Hagaon Harav Yosef Molcho zt”l rules likewise in his Sefer Shulchan Gavoha, as do others.
On the other hand, many great Acharonim rule leniently on this issue. Hagaon Rabbeinu Abdullah Somech zt”l (quoted at the end of Sefer Gedulot Elisha) writes, “Halachically speaking, we Sephardic Jews, who have accepted upon ourselves the rulings of Maran Ha’Bet Yosef, are not prohibited to grow out the hair in the front of the head and this is the source for those who do so today and no one contests this custom.” Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l rules likewise in several of his works (Responsa Yechave Da’at, Volume 2, Chapter 2 and Halichot Olam, Volume 6, page 290 among others) that there is no prohibition to grow out one’s forelock nowadays. However, it is preferable not to grow it out too long out of concern for the more stringent opinions.
Summary: According to the letter of the law, one may grow out one’s forelock (hair in the front of one’s head) for aesthetic purposes. One who acts stringently and abstains from doing so is especially praiseworthy.
