By S.B. Nemanow
Jewish men have worn full and untouched beards throughout the ages, wherever they’ve lived. They wore them with pride, and sometimes at great sacrifice. But for the most part, a man’s beard wasn’t something he thought about very much. It was just there.
But here in the 21st century, things are a little different. Men’s beard care products are now a booming sales category, and the frum world is not immune. But why? Is it just about fashion or is there something more here? And if it is just about looking better, is that a bad thing?
“It’s definitely not just about looks”, says Laizer Cyprys, founder of Hadras Ponim, a fine beard care products company. “And there is also nothing wrong with wanting your beard to look a little neater, a little more menschlich.”
According to Cyprys, there are real benefits in comfort and skin health that using a beard oil or balm can provide. He says that people who regularly use a good balm or oil can expect to feel less itching and dryness on the skin under the beard, and that the beard itself will feel softer and smoother.
Cyprys began Hadras Ponim more than 3 years ago as a hobby in his yeshiva dorm in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The beard oils he was using on his own (very long, very striking) beard just weren’t getting the job done, so he decided to go ahead and make some himself.
Growing up, his mother had been into using different essential oils to provide various health benefits, so he had some knowledge and experience. His experiments were so successful that his dorm-mates soon took notice and wanted to try it too. And thus a business was born.
Their products are being sold at Crown Drugs and Primo Hatters in Crown Heights and on their website. So far the feedback has been very positive, explaining why these products have become so popular in the frum world.
Menachem wrote: “With how many people are cutting and touching their beards( trust me I know I’m in the system don’t fool yourself ) the best thing you can do for your beard is make it look and feel great.”
“It’s not more weird than using any other specialised products, like products for teeth,” Yehoshua wrote. “The Hadras Ponim products are natural and easy to use, a boost to your whole self, they aren’t fussy or noticeable, but they make such a massive difference to how manageable your beard is, and also to how you feel in general.”
There’s an understandable defensiveness in these answers because after all, men in frum communities are not supposed to care that much about their grooming and styling.
But the backlash these men seem to be prepping for seems to me a little misplaced. Being neat and clean and menschlich has always been a Jewish value, and if using a very subtle beard product (that also seems to help its users resist picking or otherwise touching their beards) can help promote that, why would anyone have a problem with it?
Cyprys offered me a sample of the Hadras Ponim to try for myself. I chose the Hadras Ponim “Freshey” beard balm, and my experience closely tracked with what I was hearing from the already converted.
Applying the balm is an easy and simple process that takes just a minute or two every morning, and my facial hair and skin just feel better than they ever have since my beard first grew in. No itching, no scratching, and as a result, much less picking. Visually it seemed neater as well, though that’s a subjective thing that’s hard to tell for yourself.
Fashion and health trends from the outside world always seem to have a way of trickling in, for better or for worse. The beard balm wave, when all is said and done, might have a positive impact on both the follicle and spiritual health of our community.
When correcting someone you might want to make sure what you have to say is correct in and of itself. The term “Lo Silbash” doesn’t appear anywhere in scripture. Can you be referring to וְלֹֽא־יִלְבַּ֥שׁ גֶּ֖בֶר שִׂמְלַ֣ת אִשָּׁ֑ה. Dvorim 22:5
42 here: I thought I saw in an English translation of igeros that the Rebbe suggested both the gloves and the mustard options. I thought it was written that the mustard product (I didn’t remember it as the yellow mustard we know) would be applied to the beard. However, it has been a while since I’ve seen the letter and you could be correct; I might be mixing some details up. Thanks for responding. I will post again if I actually succeed in finding the letter I saw those years ago.
Remember, we are chassidim of the rebbe! We should not be doing this to be “fashionable. (chukos hagoyim).” Haskoloh started out with these mistakes!!!
what will happen when FASHION BEARDS DISAPPEAR
Yes, I agree. Most wives would be very happy that their husbands use this product rather then rubber bands or bobby pins. Hatzlocha with your new product.
I want to hate this but at this point anything that encourages beards…
So proud of you and what a great product 🙂
-Aunt Hannah
Laizer!! Keep up the great work, love each and every product!! So talented lots of success!!! Hatzlach:-)
So glad to find a great product made of all natural ingredients. I would love more products like this.
Keep it up Lazer!!
Before you know it, people will be growing beards just to use this beard oil!!
on a side note, if you have an opening for a beard model; I’m available! 😉
Hey there, I’m not sure if you saw clearly of a letter that says that clear, but there is also a video (that I have seen myself) where the Rebbe told someone regarding the issue of pulling out the beard by mistake, that he could wear gloves -which would effectively make it very hard to pull out individual hairs. The Rebbe also mentioned something along the lines of putting mustard on his fingers – so that he wouldn’t touch his beard for fear of getting mustard on his beard. I wonder if that is the point they were talking about… Read more »
Before commenting, and least know what the issur is called. It’s called lo silbash. And do you have a svoro why this would apply over here?
Since I decided not to tie my beard up with rubber bands and the like, I’ve been purchasing beard balms and oils from local stores. It is so smart that R’ Laizer created this product and we can now support another frum, chasisidishe yid. Hatzlocha rabba! – Leib Shimon
Its a great product just it cant be used on Shabbos or YT
When I was in yeshiva, over twenty years ago, a couple of bochurim mentioned to me a letter in which the Rebbe advised a bochur who had a bad habit of pulling out beard hairs that he could consider smearing his beard with mustard oil (I think that’s what it was called). You can argue there is a difference but the basic fact is that the Rebbe wasn’t against applying a product to the beard if it had some worthy purpose. Keeping it healthy or wanting to look mentschlich doesn’t strike me as some vain or shtus type purpose. (Sorry,… Read more »
The products are awesome, the only reason why your grandfather didn’t use it is because it wasn’t around…
You seem sincere, so I’ll gently respond by pointing out that in a post arguing against beard oil, you recommend putting… oil on your beard. If that’s a good idea anyway, why not give a Yid some parnassa at the same time? I can’t see any problem with this product at all.
You aren’t the rebbe. It’s irrelevant if the the rebbe would use the oils or not. The rebbe is on a different level. I don’t think the rebbe would suggest all his chassidim live his complete lifestyle. He’s a rebbe. We aren’t. Let’s be real
from your friends in Manchester
Great job. While my beard isn’t long enough, I think this is a brilliant idea. Good luck with it!
First of all, please give a source for your story. I’ve had many discussions about the lack of ties and I was never told that story.
Secondly what about brushing? Is that also ‘feh’? I’d like to let you know that the Rebbe brushed. Nothing wrong with it.
The beard oil is fine, if you honestly think it’s a halachik issue ask a Rov but don’t go bashing it online.
Just like the rebbes did not use this stuff, so I also don’t and won’t.
Don’t feel the need to look super; leave looking good to the women.
Love the name too!
The Rebbe rolled his beard in the early years. As one can see from the many pictures of the Rebbe – the Rebbe’s beard looked mentshlech and presentable. Also the Rebbe wrote in a letter specifically saying that combing the beard is OK. The Rebbe says trimming the beard is not – yesh lomar that oil would fall in with combing.
i’ve had a long beard from when i was a teenager many years ago. Shampoo does the job…
18 – Thank you for your excellent response!
28- Please explain the halachic difference between using this product and your suggested Baby Oil?
You doing a good job wish you the best Hatzlocho!
All my sons have full beards and never trimmed. But they complained constantly about the itching & how coarse/rough it felt, so these products will probably help. There’s nothing wrong with a man looking clean and neat. And considering the number of guys in Chabad with nary a whisker, do you really think the Rebbe prefers that over a way to keep to Chabad standards? Before GT, you rarely saw an older bochur who trimmed, picked or shaved. That should explain something. What’s more, I think I will buy some for my husband. He doesn’t complain, but there are days… Read more »
Do our children know how it happened? Because the Rebbe made a comment by farbregen that the chassidim were spending to many seconds being concerned with their looks. All the ties came off and the men walked home tie-less that shabbos.
So now there these chassidim have grandkids who are beautifying their beards?!?
Could you ever imagine the Rebbe using this product? Feh.
Soon there will be beards salons for beard care? Sorry guys. Beauty products are for women.
If your skin itches put some baby oil on your chin. You don’t have to treat your beard.
You just inspired me to grow my beard!
Wishing you all the success!
The energy and enthusiasm is beautiful but the concept of giving so much attention to this part of body care is a little goyish
Much Hatzlocha Laizer, Hashem should bless you with lot’s of Parnassa.
Does this have the approval of any rabonim?
Women don’t have beards…
— Guidance from the Lubavitcher Rebbe — [A person once wrote to the Rebbe that although he desired to grow a beard, he was meeting opposition on the part of his wife. In his handwritten response, the Rebbe explained that growing his beard would prove beneficial not only to him but to her as well:] יסבירה (באם רוצה בשמי) שהתיקוני דיקנא ממשיכם ברכות השם בגשמיות ורוחניות לכל המשפחה, כמאמר חז”ל. “Explain to your wife that, as Chazal state, growing a beard draws down Hashem’s blessings to the entire family, materially and spiritually. (If you prefer, you can tell her… Read more »
The correct vs is: YungeHleit.
C’mon someone. Set ‘em straight.
Perhaps they will listen to u 🙂
It hurts the eyes n ears to c this repetitive grammatical error. .
I wish you much Hatzlacha
I am sure the Rebbe would not mind too much if you used a bit of deodorant and perhaps used some soap in the shower too.
If you are not ready for the beard well, you have time, in the mean time what the Rebbe did say was careful whom you judge because when you get there they will look at your judgements for you – Din VoCheshbon.
so have a little live and let live.
Moshiach Now brother
Super talented.
As always
long beards and short kapotos are the new style
So low? As if you don’t see people cutting their beards! This is amazing
You aren’t applying that much, around the side of a pea, once you massage it in and wait a minute it all should absorb up. I’ve never had a problem. Good luck!!
Proud of you man! keep striving my friend!
A proud fellow brit
There are plenty instances the Rebbe specifically mentioned how important it is to look presentable.
General healthcare also involves treating your beard.
Good for you!!!
Long Beards are IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Must be Moshiach Tzeiten
Hatzlacha Rabba!!!
Kerr A VELT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
About time bochurim and Youngerlite start caring for their appearance. I heard that to join the Kapelye back in Lubavitch you had to have fine threads and oiled beards.
Everyone can find something to be successful in – way to go!
Whenever I see shtusim like this I can’t help but ask how we, the Rebbe’s chassidim, have fallen this low? Is this what the Rebbe wanted? U’n mit scents noch? Rochmana litzlon!
This is clearly a Halachic issue of dressing like a woman. The whole beard industry was created for bearded women.
Oy Meh Hoya Lonu!!
What does he use for his hair?
does it markup the clothing with an oil stain like other balms and oils?
stains ties, shirts, jackets, Talaisim. etc?
If the natural oils of the beard stain ties, collars, chest area of shirts, etc. all the more so with additional oils and balms.
This is my only hesitation…
I saw this stuff in Crown drugs I tried some it’s really good stuff, it also smells amazing!! Good job.
Good stuff.
This is great!
Out of stock on your beard brushes, would love to try “bread comb” though.