The Orthodox Union joined with other leading Jewish organizations to argue that Arkansas prison regulations should not be allowed to compel religiously observant men to violate their beliefs and shave their beards–nor should the regulations be allowed to prohibit beards longer than one half-inch. For religiously observant male adherents to the Jewish faith, male facial hair is a subject of Jewish ritual law derived from a Biblical commandment in Leviticus. This brief serves to alert the Court to concerns of the Orthodox Jewish community regarding governmental grooming restrictions and limitations the growth of male facial hair.

To read the full text of the amicus curiae brief, click here.