Shehecheyanu

The Beracha of Shehechiyanu was instituted for uncommon or periodical occurrences and experiences, such as holidays and their mitzvot, fruits in their new season, major purchases, and exciting news.

Shehecheyanu for new fruit

1. Chazal enacted Brachat Shehecheyanu for eating a new fruit because it brings a person happiness and should praise Hashem for the opportunity. Even if you don’t feel a happiness for eating a new fruit, one still should make the Bracha (as we assume that he’s happy inside, even if he doesn’t express this externally).

When to make the Bracha

1. According to some it is preferable to say Shehecheyanu before the Bracha on the fruit, however, the minhag is to make the Bracha on the food and then the Shehecheyanu.
2. One only makes a bracha on the first time one eats the fruit (that year).
3. If one forgot to make the Bracha before eating, one may make it as long as one has not finish eating; however once one finished, one can’t make a Shehecheyanu on that fruit.

Which fruit require Shehecheyanu?

1. One only makes a Bracha on fruits that grow yearly, however, fruits that grow all year round don’t require a Shehecheyanu. Therefore, some poskim hold that one doesn't recite a bracha on new fruit nowadays since all types of fruits are available all year round.
2. The minhag is that one doesn't make a Shehecheyanu on vegetables or upon a nice smell (Besamim). Sephardim hold that one can recite Shehecheyanu on vegetables that are available only seasonally.
3. Fruit that’s available in the marketplace all year round (because of the refrigeration and transportation) do not require Shehecheyanu, (however it’s preferable to cover it with a Shehecheyanu from another fruit if possible.) Therefore, it isn't the minhag to recite Shehecheyanu on vegetables since they are generally available all year.
4. The following fruit don’t require a Shehecheyanu: banana, lemon, lettuce, cabbage, potato, carrot, onion, pear, dates, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts, peanuts, almonds, olives, mushrooms, wine, and grape juice.
5. The Sefer Vezot HaBracha writes that the general list of fruits in Israel that are considered not available all year round and deserve a Shehecheyanu includes the following (however, in America, it’s very possible that some of these are available all year round; this is from 2009, when the sefer was reprinted but might not apply now): avocado, watermelon, peach, cherry, quince, mango, apricot, grapes, strawberry, plum, cactus fruit, and raspberry.
6. There is a dispute whether or not one can recite Shehechiyanu on carobs (buxar) since they don't appear to be a new fruit. If one gets particular enjoyment for seeing the new carobs in their season one can recite the bracha.
7. One does not recite sheheheyanu on a new fruit if its taste is not enjoyable.
8. One cannot recite a shehechiyanu for two types of the same fruit. Additionally, if one type of fruit is commonly found all year and one isn't, neither receive a shehechiyanu. For example, all types of grapefruit or clementines are considered one type for the purposes of shehechiyanu. Additionally, one should not recite shehechiyanu for Jaffe oranges and Valencia oranges since they're both in the same category as oranges. The same is true of Anna apples and Chermon apples.

Hybrid Fruits (Kilayim)

1. Shehecheyanu is not recited on a fruit that was grown through the violation of kilayim (mixing species).

Shehecheyanu for new vegetables

1. There is a disagreement regarding whether or not Shehecheyanu should be said on seasonal vegetables.

Shehecheyanu for new clothes or other items

1. If one builds a new house or buys or receives a new vessel or clothing of significance a Shehecheyanu is required.
2. If one purchases insignificant clothing such as undershirts, sweaters, white-shirts, pajamas, and socks, no Bracha is required.
3. In general, shoes don’t require a Bracha of Shehecheyanu; however, expensive and important shoes can require a Bracha, unless they are made from leather in which case there’s a dispute if the Bracha should be made.
4. Important clothing such as a suit, tuxedo, expensive hat, or shtriemel can deserve a Shehecheyanu if the clothing brings joy to a person. Some have the minhag not to make Shehecheyanu on clothing at all.
5. There’s a dispute whether one can make a Bracha for buying new Seforim (religious books); however, if one receives important Seforim as a present one can make a Shehecheyanu.
6. If multiple people purchase new garments, each should recite Shehecheyanu on their own, rather than have one recite it on behalf of everyone.

If it benefits others

1. If the new house, vessel, or clothing also benefit others with a physical benefit, then one should make HaTov VeHaMeitiv, however, if it’s only beneficial to oneself, make Shehecheyanu.
2. For buying a new and significant household item (such as air-conditioning or cabinets) the minhag is not to make a HaTov VeHaMeitiv; however, the one who makes the Bracha has nothing to lose.
3. One should make a Shehecheyanu upon buying a new car unless one's family will also use it in which case one should make HaTov VeHaMeitiv.
4. If a boy gives an engagement ring to a girl one of them should recite a Hatov Vehameitiv to exempt both of them since they both benefit with this gift and agreement to get married.
5. If a person received a large gift he should recite shehechiyanu. However, if he's poor and receiving the gift as tzedaka is embarrassing he does not recite a bracha.

When to make Shehecheyanu

1. The halacha is that the Bracha should be made at the time of buying the new clothing; however, the minhag is to make the Bracha when wearing the clothing.

Seeing a friend

1. If one saw a friend for the first time in at least 30 days then one should say Shehecheyanu. This applies even if one has received a letter from the friend.
2. If one saw a friend for the first time in at least 12 months then one should say a beracha of Mechaye Metim instead of Shehecheyanu, but if one had received a letter or heard about how the friend is doing then only Shehecheyanu should be said.
3. Some do not have the custom to say Shehecheyanu and Mechaye Metim on friends whom they have not seen in a long time.

Shehechiyanu for Mitzvot

1. Any mitzvah which has a fixed time and only comes irregularly deserves a Shehechiyanu. This includes milah and pidyon haben. However, the minhag Ashkenazim isn't to make Shehechiyanu at the milah.
2. Any mitzvah which has a fixed time every year and isn't common deserves a Shehechiyanu. This includes shofar, sukkah, lulav, chanuka candles, and purim.
3. Some have the minhag to recite a bracha whenever they do the mitzvah the first time such as lighting Shabbat candles for the first time, going to mikveh the first time, or putting on Tefillin the first time (if it's at the age of 13 or above). Most poskim disagree with that minhag. Some poskim recommend that when putting on tefillin for the first time, one should recite the shehecheyanu on a new fruit or a new tallit.
4. On the day of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah a person should try to get a new fruit in order to recite a Shechiyanu and have in mind to exempt the fact that today he is entering into the yoke of mitzvot.