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As we have learned (see daf 41) Jewish law forbids a man from rounding, or removing the hair around, his head – pe’at roshkhem – and from shaving his beard – pe’at zekanekhah (see Vayikra 19:27).
These prohibitions do not apply to women, since they do not have beards, nor do they apply to children. Nevertheless, Rav Huna teaches that an adult who cuts a child’s hair in the forbidden manner will be held liable.
In a rather disturbing passage, the Gemara relates that Rav Adda bar Ahava asked Rav Huna who cuts his children’s hair in such a manner, to which he replied that Hova – his wife – was the one who did it. Rav Adda bar Ahava responded “Hova should bury her children!” Following this exchange, the Gemara concludes that as long as Rav Adda bar Ahava lived, Rav Huna’s children passed away at a young age.
The Gemara infers from here that there is no Isur d'Oraisa which prohibits a woman from shaving the head of a Katan. Similarly, the Gemara in Bava Metzia (10b) teaches that the Torah does not prohibit a woman from shaving the head of a Katan.
We investigate this tragic Amora and his wife’s curse and Richard Kalmin’s piece on changing attitudes to authority among amoraim..