With many pop-up sheitel shops opening for the Kinus weekend, it’s worth noting that not all sheitels are created equal. When buying a lace-top sheitel, it’s worthwhile making sure that the liner doesn’t expose the hair under it.
As thousands of women gather in Crown Heights for Chof Beis Shevat and the International Kinus Hashluchos, many are taking the opportunity to purchase new sheitels at the various sales catering to shluchos and anash women. I would like to bring up a new issue that many may not realize.
With the growing popularity of lace-top and lace-front sheitels, there has been significant debate in the frum world about whether they are permissible, given their natural hair-like appearance.
While virtually all Lubavitch rabbonim maintain that it is completely permitted, given the Rebbe’s stance that a sheitel should be beautiful, it is still necessary to ensure that the hair remains covered and not visible through the backing. All sheer areas, particularly the part and hairline, should be fully lined with some form of lining to make sure that the hair is completely covered.
While opinions differ on the level of opaqueness required—some maintain that one lining suffices, others require an additional layer, and some say it depends simply on how effectively the lining conceals the hair—all agree that some form of lining is needed.
Mikvah.org, which conducted extensive research on this matter, shared the findings of leading Chabad Rabbonim. “All Rabbonim we consulted agree that a lining is necessary in every place where the netting leaves small openings where the woman’s hair is even slightly exposed,” the organization stated.
This is especially important when purchasing a sheitel, particularly at pop-up sales, where sellers may not necessarily ensure that the lining meets halachic standards.
To avoid any issues, women should take the time to ensure that their sheitel has a proper lining, ensuring it fully adheres to halachic requirements.
Since there are differing opinions on the type and amount of lining required, women are encouraged to consult their personal rav for guidance on what meets halachic standards.
Another important point I recently learned:
Not all sheitels come with ear tabs. But they can be added! If the way you wear your sheitel exposes the hair in front of your ears, you can ask a sheitelmacher to add or adjust the ear tabs
This is such important information, and so easily missed by many of us.
If you find a sheitel you like that is unlined, you can have it lined relatively cheaply. Any sheitlmacher who adds baby hairs can do this.