Upshernish on Rosh Chodesh

Question:

Our son is turning 3 on Adar 29, Shabbos. The following day is Rosh Chodesh. It would be the ideal time to host the upshernish in our Chabad House because people can actually attend on a Sunday.

Are we allowed to, or we should wait until Monday even if we may not be able to really make a big party ברב עם…?

Answer:

The haircut should not take place on Rosh Chodesh, but rather right after it (Sunday night) – preferably, or on Monday.

You may schedule the celebration to begin Sunday afternoon and have the haircut done after nightfall (as it is the custom).

As always, it’s important to remember that the Minhogim associated with the Chinuch of the child should start from the birthday even before the haircut.

Sources:

Tzavoas Rabbi Yehudah HaChassid, sec. 47; cited in the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchon Aruch 260:1 & Likkutei Sichos, 14 p. 378. Personal communication from Rabbi Shmuel Langsam from Sunday dollars.

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