Shehechiyanu:[1]

It is good[2] to beware not to recite Shehechiyanu over new fruits or clothing during the three weeks.[3] The following is the detailed ruling on this matter

 

• New fruits:

It is good to beware not to recite Shehechiyanu over new fruits during the three weeks [starting from the night of the 17^th of Tammuz[4] until after the 11^th of Av[5]].[6] This applies even if one already sees a new fruit, nevertheless, he is to delay the recital of Shehechiyanu until he eats it after the three weeks.[7] [Accordingly, one is to avoid eating new fruits throughout the three weeks.[8]]

If the fruit will no longer be available after the three weeks:[9] A fruit which will no longer be available [i.e. not in season] after the ninth of Av [and cannot be guarded until then due to spoilage or loss of taste[10]], may be eaten and have Shehechiyanu recited over it during the three weeks. [Those who say Shehechiyanu on Shabbos, are to wait until Shabbos to say it, unless the fruit will spoil by that time.[11]]

Shehechiyanu on Shabbos: Some Poskim[12] rule one may recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu over a new fruit on Shabbos [and Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av[13]]. Other Poskim[14] rule one may not recite Shehechiyanu even on Shabbos of the three weeks. [Other Poskim[15] rule one may recite Shehechiyanu on Shabbos, up until the nine days.] Practically, the Chabad custom is to be stringent not to recite Shehechiyanu throughout the three weeks.[16]

Summary: One is not to eat new fruits, and recite Shehechiyanu over them, throughout the three weeks, including Shabbos, unless the fruit will not be available afterwards.   Q&A If during the three weeks one said Shehechiyanu on a new fruit and prior to eating the fruit, realized his mistake, what is he to do? One is to eat the new fruit, as the blessing as already made.[17]   If one said a blessing of Haeitz over a new fruit, and then realized that the fruit is to receive a blessing of Shehechiyanu, what is he to do?[18] Some Poskim[19] rule he is to recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu on the fruit. Other Poskim[20] rule he is to eat the fruit without reciting Shehechiyanu.   May a pregnant woman or sick person eat a new fruit if they have a craving for it? Yes.[21] Some Poskim[22] rule they are to eat the new fruit without reciting the blessing of Shehechiyanu. However, other Poskim[23] rule the blessing of Shehechiyanu is to be recited.   May a child eat a new fruit and recite Shehechiyanu?[24] A child who is too young to understand the mourning period may be given a new fruit to eat and recite Shehechiyanu, if he is craving for the fruit.   When the 17th of Tammuz coincides with Shabbos, may one say Shehechiyanu that Shabbos? Some Poskim[25] rule it is permitted to say Shehechiyanu on that Shabbos even according to the stringent opinion. Others[26] argue it is forbidden to do so according to the stringent opinion. On Friday night, some Poskim[27] rule one may say Shehechiyanu according to all opinions.

 

• Clothing:[28]

It is good to beware not to recite Shehechiyanu over new clothing during the three weeks.[29] [One is thus to avoid wearing or buying new clothing during the three weeks, as explained in the next Halacha!]

Shabbos: See Next Halacha!

 

• Pidyon Haben or Bris:[30]

One may say Shehechiyanu during a Pidyon Haben [or Bris Mila[31], for those accustomed,] that takes place during the three weeks, as he should not lose out from the Mitzvah. [This applies even on Tisha B’av.[32]]

Q&A May one recite Shehechiyanu on the birth of a daughter and other occurrences of the like which require a Shehechiyanu?[33] Yes. General Q&A May one recite the blessing of Hatov Vehameitiv during the Three weeks?[34] Yes.   May one recite the blessing of Hagomel during the three weeks?[35] Yes.

_____________________________

[1] 551:17; Teshuvah Ashkenazim in name of Sefer Chassidim; Drashos Maharil Tisha B’av; Teshuvas Maharil 31; Agguda Brachos in name of Kolbo; Binyoman Zeev 163; Kneses Hagedola 551; Sefer Chassidim 840

[2] Michaber ibid “Tov”; However see M”B 551:45 who writes it is forbidden to wear new clothing during the three weeks being it is forbidden to say Shehechiyanu.

[3] The reason: The reason for this is because since the period of the three weeks is a time of suffering, therefore one should not bless Shehechiyanu which contains the words “Lezman Hazeh” this time [a time of suffering]. It is however not due to the mourning period, as we do not find that a mourner may not recite Shehechiyanu. [M”A 551:42; Sefer Chassidim 840; Birkeiy Yosef 551:15; Kaf Hachaim 551:204; See however Binyoman Zeev ibid; Glosses of Chasam Sofer and Yad Efraim]

[4] Chaim Sheol 1:24; Kaf Hachaim 551:207 unlike Mateh Efraim

[5] Machazik Bracha 558:3; Yosef Ometz 56; Shaareiy Teshuvah 558:2; Kaf Hachaim 551:208

[6] Michaber 551:17; Teshuvah Ashkenazim in name of Sefer Chassidim; Drashos Maharil Tisha B’av; Teshuvas Maharil 31; Agguda Brachos in name of Kolbo; Binyoman Zeev 163; Kneses Hagedola 551; Sefer Chassidim 840

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule one may say Shehechiyanu during the three weeks on a fruit, as it is a Mitzvah, and by all Mitzvahs one is to do so as soon as possible, as one does not know when his time will come. [Taz 551:17; Yosef Katz of Krakow; See Machatzis Hashekel on M”A 551:44; Kaf Hachaim 551:220]

[7] M”A 551:43

[8] Sefer Chassidim 840; Rav Chaim Vital in Shaar Hakavanos; Birkeiy Yosef 551; Yosef Ometz 56; Maras Hayin 17; Mamar Mordechai 551:14; Zechor Leavraham 9 and 3:31; Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:38; Kaf Hachaim 551:204 and 207

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one may eat the fruit without saying Shehechiyanu. [Beir Mayim Chaim 7; Kesones Yosef 11; See Birkeiy Yosef ibid in name of Mahariy Tzemach and Rav Chaim Vital that he ate a new fruit without Shehechiyanu]

[9] Rama ibid; Binyoman Zeev 163; Teshuvos Maharil

[10] M”A 551:44; Mizbeiach Adama; Machazik Bracha 551 Kuntrus Acharon ; Kaf Hachaim 551:218

[11] M”A 551:44; See Yad Efraim ibid

[12] Arizal in Shaar Hakavanos p. 89, brought in M”A 551:42; Mateh yehuda 551; Beis David 325; Tur Barkat , brought in Birkeiy Yosef 551:10; Chaim Sheol 1:24; Kaf Hachaim 551:205

[13] Beis Yehuda 61 p. 109; Glosses of Rebbe Akiva Eiger 551; Aruch Hashulchan 551:38; Shaar Hatziyon 551; Kaf Hachaim 551:205

[14] Mateh Moshe 697, and Levush brought in M”A 551:42; Taz 551:17; Sefer Chassidim 843; Kneses Hagedola 551; Elya Raba 551:42; Chayeh Adam 133:8; Derech Hachaim;  Avnei Nezer 428; Kitzur SHU”A 122:2; M”B 551:98

[15] Aruch Hashulchan 551:38; Toras Chaim Sofer 551:35; Kinyan Torah 6:32

[16] Hayom Yom 21^st Tammuz; Sefer Haminhagim;

[17] The issue is not with eating the new fruit, but with the Shehechiyanu, and the Shehechiyanu was already said.

[18] See Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:38; Kaf Hachaim 551:214

[19] Birkeiy Yosef 551:12 in name of Kneses Hagedola 2:34; Implication of Rav Chaim Vital in Shaar Hakavanos

[20] Birkeiy Yosef ibid in name of Mahariy Tzemach in name of Rav Chaim Vital, brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:38; See Avnei Nezer 428; See Kaf Hachaim ibid

[21] Birkeiy Yosef 551:8 and 13; Mahariy Tzemach in Naggid Umitzvah p. 70 and Peri Eitz Chaim 23:1 regarding sick; Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:38; M”B 551:99; Kaf Hachaim 551:211

[22] Opinion in Birkeiy Yosef ibid; M”B 551:99; See Shaareiy Teshuvah and Kaf Hachaim ibid

[23] Birkeiy Yosef ibid in name of Kneses Hagedola; Kaf Hachaim ibid

[24] Birkeiy Yosef 551:9; Zechor Leavraham 3:31; Kaf Hachaim 551:212

[25] M”A 551:42, brought in Beir Heiytiv 551:38; Elya Raba 551:42; Ramaz brought in Birkei Yosef 551:11; Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:38

[26] Mor Uketzia 551; Birkeiy Yosef ibid in name of Kneses Hegdola 2:9; Chaim Sheal 1:24; Bigdei Yesha 551:42; Kaf Hachaim 551:206

[27] Sdei Chemed Bein Hametzarim 1:1; Nitei Gavriel p. 118

[28] Michaber 551:17; Teshuvah Ashkenazim in name of Sefer Chassidim

[29] The reason: The reason for this is because since the period of the three weeks is a time of suffering, therefore one should not bless Shehechiyanu which contains the words “Lezman Hazeh” this time [a time of suffering]. It is however not due to the mourning period, as we do not find that a mourner may not recite Shehechiyanu. [M”A 551:42]

On which clothing is the blessing of Shehechiyanu to be recited over during the year? The blessing of Shehechiyanu may only be recited on clothing of importance of which one rejoices over its purchase [such as a new Kapata; Tallis Gadol; suit, Shabbos hat]. [Seder 12:5] Many are accustomed today not to recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu over any clothing, even a clothing of importance, and thus they do not recite a blessing of Shehechiyanu over a new Tallis Gadol. [Piskeiy Teshuvos 22:1 and 223:6; Maharshag 1:95 states that he never recited Shehechiyanu over a new clothing; Darkei Chaim Veshalom 252 states he only recited Shehechiyanu on Shabbos and Yom Tov clothing; Rabbi Y. L. Groner in a written response to the authors query as to the Rebbe’s custom “The Rebbe said in the name of his father-in-law that men do not make that Bracha on new clothes, not even on a new Tallis, not even when one puts on the Tallis for the first time.”]

[30] Michaber 551:17; Beis Yosef 551

[31] Mamar Mordechai 551:16; Kaf Hachaim 551:216

[32] Daas Torah 551; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:54

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule Shehechiyanu is not to be recited on Tisha B’av. [Gur Aryeh Yehuda Y.D. 116]

[33] Siddur Yaavetz; Daas Torah 551; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:54; Toras Hayoledes 48 footnote 15

[34] Siddur Yaavtez; Shaareiy Teshuvah 551:10; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:54

[35] Sdei Chemed 2:3 in name of Yifei Laleiv; Kaf Hachaim 559:38