To gain some sort of understanding about this matter, we will first address the proper Halachic perspective and then the different ideological perspectives regarding shaving.

The Halachic Perspective: All Poskim agree that it is forbidden to shave with a razor. There is much discussion among Poskim regarding whether it is permitted for a man to shave his face with today's shavers, or are they equivalent to razors and hence forbidden. Generally, most Poskim in Israel forbid shaving with today's shavers, while Poskim in America will generally permit this based on R'Moshe Feinstein's famous ruling regarding shaving. Even according to many American Poskim, some shavers (such as those with the Lift and Cut mechanism) are forbidden. It is therefore appropriate for someone who plans on shaving to consult his Rabbi and find out whether or not the shaver he is using is Halachically permitted. [This is aside from the Halachic requirement not to cut off Pei'os, roughly translated as sidelocks, regardless of what kind of shaver one uses. Again, consult your Rabbi regarding the guidelines of this requirement.]

The Ideological Perspective: There are various reasons why Orthodox Jews will grow beards. As we mentioned before, some prohibit shavers altogether (and only permit using creams or powders, which are not always user friendly). Accordingly, one reason people will have beards is because they maintain that it is forbidden to shave. Another reason is that in some sources, especially Kabbalistic sources, the hair of one's beard is cited as bringing down spirituality from Above, giving a greater potential for holiness to that person. This is known as "Tzinoros ha'Shefa" -- "pipelines of (spiritual) bounty," which some say is present when one's beard is not cut. [It is reported that there were (and are) a small minority of Kabbalists who cut their beards anyway, for various reasons.] It is also mentioned that having facial hair helps to differentiate between a man and a women (preventing men mingling with women unnoticed). In conclusion, there are many reasons why Orthodox Jews might have beards. However, if one is lenient regarding shaving with shavers, the other reasons are generally not quoted as Halachic reasons that one must have a beard. This is why you will see some people who do have beards, and some who do not.

All the best,

Yaakov Montrose