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*All customs listed below are only practiced during the period of time in which one is accustomed to observe the mourning customs, as explained in the previous Halacha. For semantic purposes we will refer to this as “the mourning period of Sefira”. All mourning customs apply both to men and women unless explicitly stated otherwise!

  

Shehechiyanu:[1]

It is permitted to recite Shehechiyanu during Sefira.[2] Nevertheless, many are accustomed to abstain from saying Shehechiyanu throughout the entire weekday period of Sefira, from after Pesach until Erev Shavuos.^[3] Practically, so is the Chabad custom.[4] Those who are accustomed to say Shehechiyanu throughout Sefira may continue to do so without hesitation.^[5]

May one recite Shehechiyanu on Shabbos?

Yes. On Shabbos, even those who are accustomed to abstain from reciting Shehechiyanu during Sefira may do so[6], and so is the Chabad custom.^[7] However, some Poskim[8] write that one is to avoid reciting Shehechiyanu even on Shabbos.

 

May one recite Shehechiyanu on Lag BaOmer?

Yes. On Lag BaOmer even those who are accustomed to avoid reciting Shehechiyanu during Sefira may do so[9], and so is the Chabad custom.^[10]

 

May those who are stringent recite Shehechiyanu during Chol Hamoed Pesach?[11]

Yes.

May one eat a Shehechiyanu fruit during Sefira?

Those who are accustomed to avoid saying Shehechiyanu are to avoid eating new fruits during the weekdays of Sefira. They may eat new fruits on Shabbos and Lag Baomer.

If the fruit will no longer be available after the three weeks:[12] 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[13]], 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.[14]]

 

If during Sefira 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.[15]

 

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?[16]

Some Poskim[17] rule he is to recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu on the fruit. Other Poskim[18] 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.[19] Some Poskim[20] rule they are to eat the new fruit without reciting the blessing of Shehechiyanu. However, other Poskim[21] rule the blessing of Shehechiyanu is to be recited.

May a child eat a new fruit and recite Shehechiyanu?[22]

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.

Pidyon Haben or Bris:[23]

One may say Shehechiyanu during a Pidyon Haben [or Bris Mila[24], for those accustomed,] that takes place during Sefira, as he should not lose out from the Mitzvah.

May one recite Shehechiyanu on the birth of a daughter and other occurences of the like which require a Shehechiyanu?[25]

Yes.

 

May one recite the blessing of Hatov Vehameitiv during the Three weeks?[26]

Yes.

May one recite the blessing of Hagomel during the three weeks?[27]

Yes.

 ^{________________________________________________________}

[1] See Sefer Chikrei Minhagim 3:79

[2] Mamar Mordechai 493:2; Levushei Mordechai 3:153; Ikarei Hadat 21:17; Yifei Lalev 3:3; Keren Ledavid 119; Orchos Yosher 11:133; M”B 493:2 in name of Mamar Mordechai; Kaf Hachaim 493:4 that so is the practical custom and ruling.

[3] Custom mentioned in Elya Zuta 493:1 in name of Rabbeinu Yerucham 1:5; Leket Yosher p. 97; Likkutei Maharich; Tzeror Hamor Emor; Olalos Efraim  1:107; Mahariy Shteif 249; Moed Lekol Chaiy 6:12 [regarding new clothing]

The reason: The reason for this is because the period of the three weeks is a time of suffering, 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]

[4] Hayom Yom p. 48; Sefer Haminhagim p. 84 [English]; Sefer Hasichos 1989 Vol. 2 p. 745

[5] Rebbe in Sefer Hasichos ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid

[6] Leket Yosher ibid

[7] Sefer Hasichos 1989 Vol. 2 p. 745 in dialogue with Rav Mordechai Eliyahu and Rav Shapiro; In Sefer Haminhagim p. 94 it states not to recite Shehechiyanu on Shabbos of the three weeks but omits it with regards to Sefira. Hamelech Bemesibo quotes the Rebbe to have stated that he did not hear from the Rebbe Rayatz as what is the custom on Shabbos of Sefira and he hence did not enter it into Hayom Yom. However, in the above Sicha the Rebbe clearly states it may be said. [see Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 258]

[8] Makor Chaim of Chavos Yair; Yifei Lalev 2:7 brought in Bitzel Hachachma 18:41; Vayivarech David 59

[9] Leket Yosher ibid

[10] Sefer Hasichos 1989 Vol. 2 p. 745 in dialogue with Rav Mordechai Eliyahu and Rav Shapiro

[11] Tzitz Eliezer 18:41 in name of Ben Ish Chaiy

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

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

[14] M”A 551:44; See Yad Efraim ibid

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

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

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

[18] 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

[19] 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

[20] Opinion in Birkeiy Yosef ibid; M”B 551:99; See Shaareiy Tehsuvah andf Kaf Hachaim ibid

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

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

[23] Michaber 551:17; Beis Yosef 551

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

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

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

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