The Upsherin

A Three-Year-Old Jewish Boy's First Haircut

For the first three years of life, children absorb their parents' love. Then, their education takes a leap—they are ready to produce and share their unique gifts.

For a Jewish boy, this transition is marked with a haircutting ceremony—an "upsherin"—on his third Jewish birthday.


		The Basics of the Upsherin A Boy's First Haircut At the age of three, children’s education takes a leap—they are now ready to produce and share their unique gifts. For a Jewish boy, this transition is traditionally marked with a haircutting ceremony. 6 Comments



		A Jewish Boy's First Haircut Musings from the Mother of a Newly "Upsherined" Boy By Deena Yellin Then it was haircut time. I squeezed my eyes shut, half expecting the same cries I heard at his bris, which seems like it was just yesterday. But when I looked up, he was grinning. 26 Comments



		The Defining Haircut By Naftali Silberberg Education is, and always has been, the key to Jewish survival. But the essence of education is the imparting of values, not information. 1 Comment



		Kabbalistic Hair Styles By Yosef Y. Jacobson An understanding the kabbalistic nature of the Nazirite, and hair in general, sheds light on the inner significance of the Upsherin ceremony. 3 Comments



		A Milestone in a Child's Education From Our Library -- An Advanced Guide to the Upsherin By Eli Touger What is an Upsherin? When is it done? What are the customs associated with this event? 4 Comments



		The Deed: The Upsherin A Video Primer for a Boy's First Haircut An Upsherin is the traditional "first haircut" ceremony held on a boy's third birthday. This ceremony marks the start of the child's formal education and is highlighted by leaving payot and the child starting to wear a kipah and tzitzit. 2 Watch (4:49)



		The Rebbe Participating in Children's Upsherins 5747-5750, 1987-1990 A collage of videos of the Rebbe cutting the hair of three-year-old boys. Watch



		The Meaning of Upsherenish The Mitzvah of Peyos By Yehuda Leib Schapiro This class explores the reasons and sources for the custom of celebrating a Jewish boy’s first haircut – an Upsherin. 3 Download Listen (48:08)



		Can I Cut My Son’s Hair Before Age Three? By Eliezer Zalmanov Can I arrange to cut my son’s hair earlier than his third birthday so that my father can be involved? 2 Comments