Question :
Is there an issue for me to buy any new clothes during the three weeks?
Answer:
Since nowadays we don’t make a Shehecheyanu on buying new clothes but only for wearing new clothes, some permit buying new clothes and some forbid. Halichos Shlomo pg 411 brings from the Talmidim of Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach that it’s permissible to buy new clothes due to this fact that nowadays we don’t make a Bracha on buying clothes. This is the ruling of Mishna Brurah 551:45 and Kaf Hachayim 551:88.
If one doesn’t have non-leather shoes for Tisha BeAv and one forgot to buy, one may buy them in the Nine Days. Knitting and needlecraft is prohibited during the Nine Days. Repairing a torn garment is permitted according to Rav Shimon Eider Halachos of the Three Weeks page 11.
On Shabbos many poskim are lenient to allow one to recite Shehecheyanu. Sefer Chasidim 840, Mateh Moshe 697, Yosef Ometz 861, Magen Avraham 551:21,42, Chaye Adam 133:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2 and other sefardi poskim all permit making Shehecheyanu on Shabbos. However, the Magen Avraham 551:42 quotes the Kitvei HaArizal who is machmir even on Shabbos. Mishna Brurah 551:98 concludes that one can be lenient regarding making Shehecheyanu on Shabbos since there’s some are lenient on shechiyanu during all of the three weeks and there’s some who specifically permit Shabbos.
On Shabbos Chazon one shouldn’t wear new clothes that would require Shehecheyanu. Eliyah Rabba 551:17 in name of Madenei Yom Tov brings that one should not wear new clothes even on Shabbos during the Three Weeks because wearing new clothes has a special aspect of happiness (which is greater than eating a new fruit). This is also the opinion of the Derech HaChaim 551:6 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2 not to wear new clothes all three weeks including Shabbos. However, Chaye Adam 133:14 and Aruch HaShulchan 551:38 writes that one can make Shehecheyanu before Rosh Chodesh Av, but afterwards one shouldn’t make Shehecheyanu even on Shabbos. Additionally, Mishna Brurah 551:45 writes that even those who are lenient to make Shehecheyanu on Shabbos during the Three Weeks will agree to be strict on Shabbos Chazon not to wear new clothes.
There is also a minhag not to wear new clothing that don’t require a Shehecheyanu specifically during the Nine Days. A person should recite a Shehecheyanu upon the birth of a baby boy or girl during the three weeks because that Brocha can’t wait until after the three weeks. Similarly, at a Pidyon HaBen one should make a Shehecheyanu even during the three weeks. A shehecheyanu should be recited for the Pidyon Haben even during the Three Weeks.
One may say the Brocha of HaTov VeHaMeitiv during the three weeks.
If there is a sale and one will be unable to purchase the same clothing after Tisha BeAv at the sale price, one may buy the item during the Nine days, but may not wear the clothing until after Tisha BeAv.
If one doesn’t have Tefillin or one has the opportunity to buy nicer Tefillin it’s permissible to buy them even after Rosh Chodesh Av.
One should refrain from buying Tzitzit or a Tallit during the three weeks. Sh”t Rivevot Efraim 1:375 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein writes that one should refrain from buying Tzitzis or a Talis. Similarly, Or LeArba Asar (pg 81) writes that one should buy and wear it (and make Shehecheyanu) before the three weeks, however, after the fact if one didn’t and one doesn’t have as nice a pair one is permitted to wear it. Sh”t Birkat Reuven Shlomo 9:31 agrees. She’elat Yaavetz 82 says that if your tzitzit become pasul and you don’t have another, you may wear or even purchase a new one to fulfill the mitzva.
One should not purchase a new talit gadol as this would require making a Shehecheyanu. However, one can purchase a new tallit katan since Shehecheyanu is not recited on those. One may also purchase a tallit gadol if it doesn’t have strings up until Rosh Chodesh Av.
One should refrain from buying a car during the three weeks unless one is buying it primarily for business purposes.
Also, if one’s entire family will use it and benefit from it, then one may buy it until Rosh Chodesh Av and make a brocha of HaTov VeHaMetiev instead of Shehecheyanu. |