What items are you permitted to buy during the three weeks? Shulchan Aruch 551:17 says that one should avoid making a “shehechyanu” during this time period. Therefore one should not eat a new fruit or buy new clothing. The issue of buying something new is only so that you should not make the brocha. The reason is since this is a time of mourning and tragedy for Klal Yisrael, it is not appropriate to recite this brocha which refers to good times. Therefore, the prohibition only applies to items which would require a brocha. Shoes made from leather, and inconsequential everyday items which do not require a brocha, are permitted to buy. Furthermore, being that the brocha is only required if the item bought is readily usable, any item which needs some fixing or tailoring can be bought. In these cases, the brocha is recited only upon the first use. For example, one can buy a new suit which needs tailoring. The suit can then be worn on Shabbos when saying a “shehechyanu” is permitted. (Some poskim prohibit making a “shehechyanu” even on Shabbos on new cloths. The suit then should not be worn until after Tisha b’av.) Rosh Chodesh Av has the same status as Shabbos.

An item which will be enjoyed by more than one person requires the brocha “hatov v’hamaytiv” instead of a “shehechyanu”. Therefore, a new car that will benefit the whole family, may be purchased during the three weeks.

Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh HymanMir Yeshiva, Jerusalem- [email protected]
Shabbat Shalom