Isla Bennett
Jewish customs and traditions have a lot to say about fingernails and how they should be cut. There are various rules and rituals associated with the cutting of nails, including the order in which they should be trimmed. According to Jewish tradition, the fingernails should be cut in a specific sequence, starting with the left ring finger, followed by the index finger, pinky, middle finger, and finally, the thumb. The right hand is then addressed, starting with the index finger, followed by the ring finger, thumb, middle finger, and pinky. This practice is believed to ward off forgetfulness, poverty, and premature death, and is often done in preparation for Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Order of cutting nails | Start with the left ring finger, then alternate every other finger. On the right hand, start with the index finger. |
| Days to cut nails | Wednesday to Friday |
| Days to avoid cutting nails | Thursday, Saturday night, Rosh Chodesh (the Jewish New Moon), Chol Hamoed (the intermediate days of the Jewish holidays) |
| Toenail cutting | Toenails should not be cut on the same day as fingernails |
| Superstitions | Cutting nails in order can bring forgetfulness, poverty, and premature death of one's children |
| Spirituality | The act of cutting nails is elevated to give it a measure of spirituality, reminding the person who they are and where they come from |
| Fingernail superstitions | Nails are associated with witchcraft and divination. Impurity is believed to live under the fingernails. |
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What You'll Learn
Fingernails should be cut in a specific order
The Rama, citing the Avudraham, writes that one should not cut their nails in order, as this leads to forgetfulness, poverty, and the loss of one's children. The Rama's suggested order is as follows: on the left hand, start with the ring finger, then cut the index finger, pinky, middle, and finally, the thumb. On the right hand, start with the index finger, then cut the ring finger, thumb, middle, and finish with the pinky. The Tehila L'David and the Aruch Hashulchan comment that the Rama implies that the left hand's fingernails should be cut first, but they cite the Kol Bo, who writes that the right hand's fingernails should be cut first.
Another source suggests a different order. This method involves numbering the fingers on the left hand as 3-1-4-2-5 and the right hand as 8-6-9-7-10. Starting with the number three on the left hand, cut the nails in ascending order, then move to the right hand and cut the nails in descending order.
Additionally, there are specific days when cutting nails is considered auspicious or inauspicious. It is considered a mitzvah to cut one's nails on Friday in honour of Shabbat, and before Yom Tov. However, cutting nails on Thursday is generally discouraged, as it is believed that the nails will start growing on Shabbos, reducing the level of honour for Shabbos. Cutting nails on Rosh Chodesh, the Jewish New Moon, is also discouraged by Rabbi Yehudah he-Chassid for mystical reasons. It is also considered inauspicious to cut nails on the same day as one's toenails, and it is recommended to wash one's hands after cutting nails.
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Toenails should be cut on Thursdays
In Judaism, there are several traditions and superstitions surrounding the cutting of nails. While some sources state that it is a mitzvah to cut one's nails on Fridays in honour of Shabbos or Shabbat, others advise against cutting nails on Thursdays.
According to Jewish tradition, toenails should be cut on Thursdays. This is because, if nails are cut on a Thursday, they will begin to grow on Shabbos or Shabbat, reducing the level of honour for Shabbos. However, if you are unable to cut your nails on a Friday, it is considered better to cut them on a Thursday than on a Wednesday.
There are also specific instructions for the order in which the nails should be cut. One source suggests that the nails should be cut in a particular order to ward off forgetfulness, poverty, and the premature death of one's children. The order is as follows: left ring finger, left index finger, left pinky, left middle, left thumb, right index finger, right ring, right thumb, right middle, and finally, right pinky. However, it is important to note that some disagree with this order, stating that it is not necessary to be careful about the sequence in which the nails are cut.
In addition to the day of the week and the order of cutting, there are other guidelines to consider. For example, it is considered important to cut the fingernails rather than the toenails in honour of Shabbat. It is also advised to cut the nails during the daytime, as cutting nails at night is discouraged. Furthermore, some sources suggest that cutting both the fingernails and toenails on the same day is not advisable, while others state that it is sufficient to sweep up nail trimmings from their original location.
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Fingernails should be cut on Fridays
There is also a specific order in which the fingernails should be cut, alternating every other finger, starting with the left ring finger, then the right index finger. Nails should not be cut consecutively, or in order, as this is said to bring forgetfulness, poverty and, according to some, the premature death of one's children.
There are other superstitions and beliefs surrounding the cutting of nails in Jewish tradition. For example, it is considered auspicious to burn or bury nail clippings, but throwing them out is considered wicked. Nails should also be cut before Yom Tov, but not on Shabbat or Yom Tov, as this is considered an act of forbidden labour.
It is also important to note that, according to some sources, it is preferable to cut one's nails after midday on Friday, while others suggest cutting them before midday. Additionally, it is generally discouraged to cut both toenails and fingernails on the same day, and it is recommended to cut toenails on Thursday.
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Fingernails and toenails should not be cut on the same day
The order in which fingernails are cut is also important in Jewish tradition. The Tehila L'David (260:2) and the Aruch Hashulchan (260:6) write that the fingernails of the left hand should be cut first, starting with the ring finger, then the index finger, pinky, middle finger, and finally the thumb. On the right hand, begin with the index finger, then the ring finger, thumb, middle finger, and finally the pinky. However, the Kol Bo writes that the left fingernails should be cut before the right.
The day of the week on which nails are cut is also significant. It is considered a mitzvah to cut one's nails on Friday in honour of Shabbos or Shabbat. However, it is discouraged to cut nails on Thursday, as this will cause them to start growing on Shabbos, reducing the level of honour for Shabbos. The Ashkenazic custom is also to refrain from cutting nails during Chol Hamoed, the intermediate days of Jewish holidays.
There are several other superstitions and beliefs surrounding the cutting of nails in Jewish tradition. For example, it is considered pious to burn one's nail trimmings, righteous to bury them, and wicked to throw them out. Nails are also associated with impurity, and it is believed that the fingernail—representing death—should be kept away from pregnant women, who represent life and immortality.
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Nails should not be cut at night
Jewish tradition has a longstanding obsession with fingernails, dating back to the biblical Adam and Eve, who were said to have been covered with a thin layer of nail-like armour in place of skin. Later generations pointed to this tale as the origin of the belief that impurity lived under the fingernails, leading to a longstanding but esoteric tradition of fingernail-related superstitions.
One such superstition is that nails should not be cut at night. This is a Kabbalistic belief, with some sources quoting Rav Chaim Palagi as saying that, according to the Kabbalah, one should not cut hair or nails at night. However, this is disputed by Rav Ovadia, who claims that there is no problem according to Halacha or Kabbalah with cutting nails at night.
The reason for this superstition may be that nighttime is considered a time of judgement, and cutting the nails, which are an area of tumah, would be considered tantamount to awakening the powers of tumah. This belief is supported by the fact that the Tahara process, which takes place when a Jewish person passes away, involves cleaning and cutting the nails in consecutive order.
Another reason for not cutting nails at night, or after sunset, is that it is considered the beginning of a new day. In Jewish culture, it is discouraged to cut both toenails and fingernails on the same day for reasons related to well-being and prosperity.
In addition, there is a specific order in which nails should be cut, which is said to ward off forgetfulness, poverty, and the premature death of one's children. The order is as follows: on the left hand, start with the ring finger, then cut the index finger, pinky, middle, and finally the thumb. On the right hand, start with the index finger, then cut the ring finger, thumb, middle, and finally the pinky.
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Frequently asked questions
The correct order to cut your nails is to start with your left ring finger, then the index finger, pinky, middle, and finally the thumb. On your right hand, start with the index finger, then cut the ring finger, thumb, middle, and finally the pinky.
Cutting nails in a specific order is believed to ward off forgetfulness, poverty, and the premature death of one's children.
It is considered a mitzvah to cut one's nails on Friday in honour of Shabbos. However, it is advised to not cut your nails on Thursday as they will start growing on Shabbos, reducing the level of honour for Shabbos.
Yes, it is advised to not cut your fingernails and toenails on the same day. It is also considered auspicious to wash your hands after cutting your nails.
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