“`html
Britney likes teh beard. Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
By PJ Grisar
September 29, 2025
Sign up for Forwarding the News, our essential morning briefing with trusted, nonpartisan news and analysis, curated by Senior Writer benyamin Cohen.
To paraphrase megastar Britney Spears, and the Chabad youth now out in droves on college campuses and beyond: “it’s britney, beard.”
Over the past few years, a striking trend has emerged within the Orthodox Jewish community – and it’s hairy. A notable number of young Orthodox men are sporting full beards, even those who, just a few years ago, were clean-shaven.This isn’t simply a fashion statement; it’s a complex phenomenon rooted in religious observance,social signaling,and a desire for authenticity.
A Halachic History
While the Torah explicitly prohibits the removal of the “corners” of one’s beard (Leviticus 19:27),the extent to wich this translates into a requirement to grow a full beard has been debated for centuries. Sephardic Jews generally interpret the prohibition as forbidding only the practice of corner-clipping, common among ancient priests, and do not traditionally grow long beards.Ashkenazi Jews, however, have historically held a more stringent view, often seeing a full beard as a positive commandment or a sign of piety.
For much of the 20th century, however, even among many Ashkenazi Orthodox men, a clean-shaven face was common, particularly in modern Orthodox circles. This was often seen as a way to assimilate into broader society and avoid standing out. But in recent decades, a shift has occurred.
The Rise of the Beard
Several factors contribute to the beard’s resurgence. The rise of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, with its emphasis on outreach and a visibly Jewish presence, has been particularly influential. The Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, encouraged his followers to grow beards as a symbol of commitment to jewish tradition and a way to spark conversations with others.
“The Rebbe really emphasized the importance of looking like a Jew,” explained Rabbi Shimon Rose, a Chabad emissary in Los Angeles. “A beard is an instant identifier. It’s a statement that you’re proud of your heritage.”
Beyond Chabad, a broader trend toward religious conservatism and a rejection of assimilation is also at play. some young men see growing a beard as a way to reclaim a lost aspect of Jewish identity and demonstrate their commitment to a more traditional lifestyle. It’s a visual rejection of the pressures to conform to secular norms.
More Than Religion: Signaling and Identity
The beard also functions as a social signal within the Orthodox community. It can indicate affiliation with a particular yeshiva or ideology, or simply demonstrate a level of religious commitment. For some, it’s a way to distinguish themselves from less observant peers.
“There’s definitely a sense of wanting to look ‘frum’ – religiously observant,” saeid one 24-year-old orthodox man who recently grew a beard. “It