New clothing during Sefira

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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!

 

May one buy new clothing during Sefira?

It is permitted to buy new clothing during Sefira.[1] However, some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden to do so. Practically, each community is to follow their custom.[3] [One may however buy new underclothing and other non-important clothing, according to all.[4]]

 

May one wear new clothing during Sefira?[5]

Some Poskim[6] rule one is not to do so [even on Shabbos[7]].[8] Other Poskim[9] however rule it is permitted.[10] [Practically, the custom of many is to be stringent in this matter.[11] Some Rabbanim suggest that according to the Chabad custom to not say Shehechiyanu only during the week, one is to wear the new clothing on Shabbos.[12]].

Unimportant clothing:[13] One may wear new underclothing and other non-important clothing.

Shoes: One may wear new shoes during Sefira.[14] However, some[15] are stringent.

Children:[16] Children may wear new clothing if they need to do so.

Clothing tore:[17] One whose clothing tore and is hence in need of new clothing, may wear new clothing during Sefira.

Time of need: In all times of need, one may be lenient to wear new clothing during Sefira.

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[1] Ikarei Hadat 21:17; Keren Ledavid 119; Orchos Yosher 11; Levushei Mordechai 3:153; Kaf Hachaim 493:4; Kaf Hachaim 551:88 regarding the three weeks; Taamei Haminhagim p. 251; Hagadas Orach Lechaim [Ben Ish Chaiy] 28; Piskeiy Teshuvos 493:3; Ruling of Rav Zalman Dworkin brought in Kovetz Zalman Shimon p. 70-71 that today it is permitted to buy clothing during Sefira and perhaps even the Terumos Hadeshen today would agree, being we no longer say Shehechiyanu

The reason: As we no longer are accustomed to recite Shehechiyanu upon purchasing the clothing, but rather only upon wearing it. This is similar to the allowance of buying and looking at new fruits during Sefira.

[2] Leket Yosher p. 97; Nitei Gavriel 54:7

[3] Taamei Haminhagim ibid

[4] See Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 389:1

[5] Piskeiy Teshuvos 493:3

[6] Leket Yosher p. 97; Teshuvos Upesakim 39; Minhag Tov  61; Sefer Hatadir 1:93; Yosef Ometz 848; Moed Lekol Chaiy 6:12 [brought in Kaf Hachaim 493:4]; Ikarei HaDaat; Yifei Laleiv 2:493; Tzitz Eliezer 18:41 from Ben Ish Chaiy; Toras Yekusiel 48; Vayevarech David 19; Yabia Omer 3:26 “One who is stringent will be blessed”; See Betzeil Hachochmah 4:48

[7] See regarding three weeks that even on Shabbos it is forbidden-Chayeh Adam 133:14; Derech Hachaim 6; Kitzur SHU”A 122:2; Kaf Hachaim 551:205; See M”A 551:21 who differentiates between the period until Rosh Chodesh, and the nine days.

[8] The reason: Some of the above Poskim permit saying Shehechiyanu during Sefira, and hence the above prohibition is not related to Shehechiyanu but rather to the Simcha. This is similar to the prohibition for a mourner to wear new clothing. [See Vayivarech David ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 493 footnote 19]

[9] Ikarei Hadat 21:17; Keren Ledavid 119; Orchos Yosher 11; Levushei Mordechai 3:153; Kaf Hachaim ibid; Poskim in Piskeiy Teshuvos 493 footnote 8 and 26

[10] The reason: As Bepoal we do not say Shehechiyanu on clothing. [ibid]

[11] Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[12] As our custom allows saying Shehechiyanu on Shabbos, and it is thus similar to the law from the 17th of Tamuz until Rosh Chodesh, in which according to those who rule that Shehechiynau may be said on Shabbos, one may alos wear new clothing on Shabbos. [See M”A 551:21] However, this is only if one accepts the argument that the reason for not wearing new clothing is due to Shehechiynau, if however the reason is because of the mourning period, similar to the nine days, then it is forbidden tow ear even on Shabbos. [See M”A ibid]

[13] Kinyan Torah 1:109; M”B 551:45 regarding the three weeks; Vayivarech David ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[14] M”B 551:45

[15] Leket Yosher p. 97

[16] Vayivarech David 19; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[17] Afrakasa Deanya 176; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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