13. Wearing Shabbos clothing on Shabbos and by a Bris:

Some Poskim[1] rule it is forbidden to wear Shabbos clothing on Shabbos Chazon, with exception to wearing a Kesones [Shabbos undershirt[2]] which is allowed, [and so was the old custom of Ashkenaz]. Other Poskim[3] however rule that on Shabbos of the nine days, including Shabbos Chazon, one is to wear his regular Shabbos clothing [and so is the Sephardic custom]. [Practically, the widespread custom today amongst all Jewry [Sephardim[4] Chassidim[5], as well as almost all communities of Ashkenazi Jewry[6]] is to wear all one’s regular Shabbos clothing on Shabbos Chazon.]

Tablecloths and bed sheets: One may also use fresh white tablecloths in honor of Shabbos.[7] However, new sheets may not be spread on one’s bed.[8]

Paroches: The Paroches for Shabbos is placed in Shul as usual.[9] This is with exception to when Tisha B’av coincides with Shabbos and is differed to Sunday, in which case the Shabbos Paroches is not placed.[10] [However, the widespread custom is to place the Shabbos Paroches even at this time.[11]]

Shabbos clothing during a Bris:[12] When a Bris is taking place during the nine days it is accustomed that the father [and mother[13]] of the child, the Mohel and the Sandek [and grandparents[14]] to wear Shabbos clothing. [Furthermore, the custom is for also other close relatives to wear Shabbos clothing.[15]]

Q&A May one wear Shabbos clothing by a Pidyon Haben or Bar Mitzvah?[16] Yes. The relatives and Baalei Hasimcha that normally wear Shabbos clothing by the event may do so by a Bar Mitzvah and Pidyon Haben.   May one wear new Shabbos clothing on Shabbos?[17] No [unless he has no other clothing available at all].   May a Baal Bris wear new clothing? No, as stated above.

___________________________________________

[1] Rama in 551:1; M”A 551:4; Elya Raba 551:39; Teshuvos Rashal 27; Mateh Moshe 736; Mordechai Tisha B’av; Hagahos Ashri; Aguda; Rokeiach; Custom of Chasam Sofer, brought in Likkutei Chaver Ben Chaim

[2] M”A 551:4 in name of Mateh Moshe “is only worn due to sweat”; 559:10; Kneses Hagedola 551; See Kaf Hachaim 551:12 in name of Hagahos Mordechai who says a Kesones is a coat.

Linen clothing and the Shabbos before Shabbos Chazon according to Rama: One may wear Shabbos clothing made of linen. [Rama 551:3] This implies that one may wear all Shabbos clothing made of linen and seemingly contradicts the previous ruling. The Kaf Hachaim 551:64 explains that in 551:1 the Rama referred to Shabbos Chazon while in 551:3 he is referring to the Shabbos before Shabbos Chazon.

[3] Beis Yosef 552; Arizal; Radbaz 2:693; Chacham Tzevi as brought in Siddur Yaavetz p. 68; Machazik Bracha 551:4; Chayeh Adam 133:21 that so is custom of Vilna based on ruling of Gr”a; M”B 551:6 in name of Gra and Chacham Tzevi; Aruch Hashulchan 551:11; Kaf Hachaim 551:13; Divrei Nechemia Y.D. 333-27 that so was custom of Admur; Likkutei Maharich; Nimukei Orach Chaim; Sefer Haminhagim p. 93 [English] that so is our custom and in footnote 359 that so was custom of Alter Rebbe; Toras Menachem 44:172 that so was custom of Admur

[4] As rules Beis Yosef ibid that Sefaradim never accepted this custom; Kaf Hachaim 551:13

[5] Divrei Nechemia ibid and Sefer Haminhagim p. 93 [English]

[6] As testifies the Aruch Hashulchan ibid; As was Minhag of Gr”a, and town of Vilna, as ruled the Ashkenazi Poskim brought in previous footnotes; See Moadim Uzmanim 5:343; 7:256

[7] Rama 551:3 “One spreads white clothes as usual like by other Shabbosim”; M”B 551:7;

[8] M”B 551:33

[9] Rama 551:1

[10] Rama 551:1

[11] Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:4 based on our Minhag to wear Shabbos clothing

[12] Michaber 551:1

[13] Chayeh Adam 133:21; Kitzur SHU”A 122:15; Kaf Hachaim 551:7

[14] Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:1

[15] Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:1; Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 551

[16] Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:3; Nitei Gavriel 15:22

[17] M”A 551:21; Elya Raba 551:40; M”B 551:9; Kaf Hachaim 551:16; See also Zera Emes 76; Machazik Bracha 551:3; Zechor Leavraham 551:9; Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:1; Kaf Hachaim 551:9