Rav Menashe Klein – Wearing Tefilin On A Toupee

[Rafi Hecht]

On Jul 11, 2011, at 7:23 AM, "Prof. Levine" <llevine at stevens.edu> wrote:
> From http://revach.net/article.php?id=2654
...
> Another possible heter says the Mishneh Halachos is a Pnei Aryeh (6) who
> says that if you put white powder in your hair, it is not a Chatzitza
> since it is for beauty, and anything put in the hair for aesthetic
> purposes in not a chatzitza. Similarly, says Rav Menashe Klein, maybe
> a toupee, which is meant to enhance your appearance, is also not a
> chatzitza. However he dismisses this argument saying that you cannot
> compare powder, which disappears and a toupee, which is very thick.

> L'Maskana he says that the Shela HaKadosh holds that even if you put
> ashes in your hair for aveilus Zecher L'Churban, you must wash it off
> before putting on your tefilin. The Machatzis HaShekel (OC 27:4) says
> that even excessively long hair is a Chatzitza. Although some disagree...
> with this Machazis HaShekel, says Rav Menashe Klein, certainly when
> it comes to a toupee, all would agree that it is a chatzitza...
...

It's a difficulty as for some, it's not only for aesthetic purposes,
but it's embarrassing if seen without it!

- Rafi Hecht