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HaRav Yishai Natan –
Q: What do Sephardic poskim hold about using an electric shaver?
A: The Torah says, “velo tash’hit et pe’at zekanecha” — “Do not destroy the corners of your beard” (Vayikra 19:27). The Gemara (Makkot 21a) explains that the prohibition applies to giluah sheyesh bo hash’hatah — shaving that destroys the hair. A razor is the classic example because it cuts the hair directly against the skin.
However, Maran rules in Shulhan Aruch (YD 181:10) that scissors are permitted even ke’ein ta’ar — even when they cut very close, similar to a razor.
This is the basis for permitting many electric shavers. In a typical electric shaver, the hair enters through a metal screen and is then cut by a moving blade underneath. Since the hair is cut between two surfaces, the action is similar to scissors. Still, not every shaver works the same way, although most standard electric shavers use this type of scissor-like mechanism.
Rav Ovadia Yosef discusses an additional concern. Some opinions hold that even when using scissors, if the hair is cut so closely that no noticeable hair remains, it can still be considered hash’hatah (Yabia Omer, YD 9:10). He therefore concludes that one who needs to shave, such as for business or because not shaving may cause shalom bayit problems, may use an electric shaver. However, he should not press it tightly against the skin. Rather, he should leave enough stubble that some hair can still be felt. This ruling is also brought in Yalkut Yosef, 181:2.
There are also more lenient views among Sephardic poskim. Rav Mordehai Eliyahu writes in Darkeh Halachah (170:2) that an electric shaver is permitted as long as it works with a scissor-like cutting action, even when it cuts close to the skin. Rav Ovadia also records in Yabia Omer (ibid. 15) that Hacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul ruled that an electric shaver operating like scissors is permitted even when it gives a very close shave.
According to kabbalah and as a middat hasidut, all Sephardic hachamim praise those who do not cut the beard at all. Hida (Birkei Yosef, YD 181), Ben Ish Hai (Torah Lishmah 215), Sdei Hemed (Klalim, Lamed 116), Kaf HaHaim (203:127), Rav Mordehai Eliyahu (ibid.), Rav Ovadia and Yalkut Yosef (ibid.).
Rav Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari, the Saba Kadisha, was especially strict. He would not discuss words of Torah with someone who shaved his beard and would not allow him to join his minyan (Amudei Arazim, p. 52ff.).
The Baba Sali likewise strongly encouraged leaving the beard completely untouched. He related that he did not have a beard until age 40, and he prayed and cried that it should grow. Within seven days, it did (Hadrat Panim Zakan, p. 41).