במדבר, פרק ו׳, פסוק י״ח

Concluding a period of dedicated asceticism is not merely a technical procedure, but a profound transition. A person steps away from a life of isolation and separation, making a blessed return to everyday society. The act of shaving the head marks the definitive end of this separation, while bringing a peace offering demonstrates the joy and completeness of serving God from within the community. In this view, the period of withdrawal was simply a preparation for this higher level of communal living [רש״ר הירש, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This conclusion is conducted publicly to prevent any malicious rumors from spreading. Observers might otherwise suspect that the individual ended the vow out of frustration with holiness or a desire to chase worldly pleasures [שפתי כהן].

The hair is removed using a razor [חזקוני]. Because this hair grew as a direct result of a divine command of holiness, it possesses a sacred status. Therefore, it must be burned to ensure that people do not use it for ordinary purposes and inadvertently commit a sin [חזקוני, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Although the procedure is closely associated with the entrance of the Tabernacle, there is a broad consensus that the actual shaving did not take place directly inside the priests' courtyard or at the very doors of the sanctuary. Standing bareheaded and shaving in such a highly sacred space would be a severe sign of disrespect and an affront to the honor of the holy site [רש״י, רלב״ג, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה, תורה תמימה].

Instead, the location is understood in two complementary ways. In terms of timing, the shaving occurs immediately after the peace offering is slaughtered—an action that indeed takes place at the entrance of the sanctuary, specifically while its doors remain open [רש״י, מזרחי, רש״ר הירש, מלבי״ם, תורה תמימה]. In terms of physical space, the shaving was performed in the outer courtyards, specifically in a dedicated room known as the Chamber of the Nazirites, located in the southeastern corner of the Women's Courtyard [שד״ל, הכתב והקבלה, העמק דבר, ברכת אשר על התורה]. However, there are specific exceptions to this public procedure. A female who took the vow does not shave her hair in this public space, out of concern that it might provoke inappropriate thoughts among the young priests. Similarly, an impure individual who has not yet completed the purification process is forbidden from shaving there, as he is temporarily unfit to enter the sacred grounds [תורה תמימה].

Once shaved, the hair is not tossed into just any fire. It is thrown directly into the flames burning beneath the pot where the meat of the peace offering is being cooked. In some traditions, a small amount of broth from the cooking meat was poured over the hair before it was burned [רש״י, שפתי חכמים, נתינה לגר, תורה תמימה]. This specific cooking arrangement is unique. Ordinarily, peace offerings are considered a lesser grade of holiness; they can be cooked in private homes and eaten anywhere within Jerusalem. However, this particular peace offering requires the priest to take the boiled shoulder of the ram and wave it. To ensure the priest receives his designated portion immediately and without unnecessary burden, the meat is cooked right there in the Temple complex [רש״י, הכתב והקבלה, משכיל לדוד, מזרחי].

Finally, while the peace offering is the primary focus, the requirement to burn the hair beneath the sacrifice can apply to other offerings as well. If an impure individual burned his hair under the pot where his sin or guilt offerings were cooking, he has still fulfilled his obligation [תורה תמימה, העמק דבר, מלבי״ם].