The 171st prohibition is that we are forbidden from tearing our hair from our head for someone who died, as the fools do.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not make a bald patch between your eyes for the dead."
This prohibition is repeated regarding Kohanim,2 "They shall not make bald patches on their head," in order to complete the commandment. From the phrase, "between your eyes," we would think that the prohibition applies only to the front of the head. The other verse therefore explains, "They shall not make bald patches on their head," to make the prohibition apply to the entire head as it does to "between your eyes." [On the other hand,] if it would only say, "They shall not make bald patches on their head," we would think it applies whether it is done for the dead or for another reason. The other verse therefore explains, "for the dead."
Whoever makes a bald patch the size of a "gris"3 by tearing the hair from his head for the dead is punished by lashes. He is punished by one set of lashes for each bald patch, regardless of whether he is a Kohen Gadol or a regular Jew.
This Scripture repeats the prohibition regarding Kohanim,4 "They shall not shave the corners of their beards, nor shall they make cuts in their flesh," is also to complete the commandment, as explained in the end of Makkos.5
