Cutting Nails

One is permitted to cut nails during the three weeks.78 A mohel is permitted to cut his nail in order to perform a bris more efficiently.79 

Reciting a Shehechiyanu and Buying New Items

It is a good practice80 to refrain from reciting a shehechiyanu on a fruit or garment during the three weeks81 (until the tenth of Av)82 (please note the below discussion only pertains to a fruit or garment that requires a shehechiyanu to be recited according to halacha. In addition this discussion is not referring to the nine days where the halachos are more stringent). Some say the custom is only to refrain from a shehechiyanu from the nine days (see below) but not before.83 The reason for the custom is since this time is a time of “unpleasant occurrences” it is not the time to say the beracha of shehechiyanu where we mention being brought to this time.84

A woman who is expecting is allowed to eat a fruit even if she will have to make a shehechiyanu on it since if she wants a food and does not have it there can be a danger.85

From the fact that one should not recite a shehechiyanu during these days, we learn that one should also not buy any clothing which would require him to recite a shehechiyanu.86

Some say one who mistakenly recited a beracha rishona on a fruit which requires a shehechiyanu should recite a shehechiyanu on it before eating it.87

According to the above, one would be permitted to buy a chashuv88 item during the three weeks as long as no shehechiyanu is recited on its purchase.89 Some still say that something which is “chashuv” should not be bought during this time.90 A sefer that one does not recite a shehechiyanu on (not chashuv, or according to those poskim that no shehechiyanu is recited on seforim) is permitted to be bought until Rosh Chodesh Av.91 Some say if avoiding the purchase of an item will cause a loss, one should just give a down payment for it and pay the rest after the three weeks, 92others are more lenient. Some say an item which one does not wear when he buys it (i.e. clothing which requires alternation) and he would recite a shehechiyanu when wearing it, would be permitted to buy during the three weeks in order to wear it after Tisha B’av.93 A new garment which one bought before the three weeks and recited a shehechiyanu on it (according to those who say a shehechiyanu is not recited at the time of wearing but at the time of the purchase) at that time is permitted to wear it for the first time until Rosh Chodesh Av.94

One is permitted to recite a shehechiyanu on a mitzvah such as a pidyon haben95or bris.96 In addition, one is permitted to recite hatov v’hameitiv during the entire three weeks.97 For example, one is permitted to buy a car until Rosh Chodesh Av if it will be used for his family.98

One who gives birth to a girl may recite a shehechiyanyu, even if the girl is born during the three weeks.99

Some have the custom that one should refrain from moving into a new home during the three weeks.100

Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits who can be reached at [email protected]

Reviewed by Rabbi Ben-zion Schiffenbauer Shlita

All Piskei Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita are Reviewed by Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita