Chalakeh (Upsherin)

Chassidim (and other Jews) have a custom of not giving boys a haircut until they reach three years old. Many prefer to time the first haircut with Lag B'Omer, and if possible to do it in Meron at the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

This first haircut is called a Chalakeh or an Upsherin.

Generally, only the Payot, the side-locks, are not cut, fulfilling the Torah verse: “Do not cut the pe'ah of your head and do not cut the pe'ah of your beard.” (Vayikra 19:27).

The wait is three years to symbolize Orla, the three years we wait before fruit from new trees planted in Israel are allowed to be eaten.