May a man brush his beard if he may pluck out some hairs?

The Torah warns against “destroying” (hashchasa) and “shaving” (giluach) a man’s beard, which refers to removing the beard with a razor, or with scissors, according to some. According to various poskim, including the Tzemach Tzedek, even trimming the beard with a cutting device is a transgression of giluach (mide’oraisa or miderabanan), as well as a prohibition of lo yilbash (self-beautification for men). (See issue 862 for the full discussion.)

What about plucking out hairs?

The Arizal cautions strongly against plucking even a single hair of the beard and recommends not touching the beard at all.¹ Some acharonim suggest that plucking out hairs may be considered razor-like “destroying” the beard (removing it from the root),² while others understand this to be based on Kabbalah, as it severs the Thirteen Channels of Divine Mercy.³

Gently brushing the beard to separate it from tangling is permissible (though some allow only the fingers and not a comb).⁴ To people concerned about the beard’s appearance, the Rebbe wrote that while some exceptional people (yechidei segula) avoided combing or brushing their beard, doing so in a manner that won’t definitely pull out hair (pesik reishei) is allowed.⁵

A widespread minhag Yisroel is to stroke one’s beard when deeply engrossed in Torah. In fact, stroking the 13 Midos Harachamim of the beard, which correspond to the 13 principles of Torah exposition, is said to help one understand the learning.⁶

To someone who asked how to break their habit of picking their beard, the Rebbe suggested wearing gloves.⁷ The habit can also run into the prohibition of gozez if done on Shabbos.⁸

While the Torah frowns upon men grooming and styling their hair (mesalsel b’saaro),⁹ and the Rebbe disparaged combing the beard stylishly,¹⁰ basic hygiene and presentability is allowed and encouraged.

See Sources (open PDF)