Three Weeks: Difference between revisions

# The Ashkenazic minhag is to begin mourning from the fast of Shiva Asar BeTamuz. <ref> Rama 551:2 and 4</ref> There is a dispute whether the practices of mourning begin the  night of Shiva Asar BeTamuz (before the actual fast begins). <ref> Doleh UMashkeh (pg 208) quoting Rav Elashiv and Natai Gavriel (Ben HaMetzarim, vol 1, 14:5) are strict, while Sh"t Igrot Moshe 1:168, 3:100 (at the end), and 4:112(2) permits in cases of great need (such as performing a wedding on Motzei Shabbat the night of Shiva Asar BeTamuz). Igrot Moshe 3:100 adds that since saying Shechiyanu is a dispute there's no need to be strict not to say it the night of Shiva Asar BeTamuz. Igrot Moshe 4:112(2) writes for great need one can be lenient to cut one's hair the night of Shiva Asar BeTamuz. Sh"t Rivevot Efraim 1:375 writes that later Rav Moshe was asked about performing a wedding the night of Shiva Asar BeTamuz and he advised doing the Chupah before Shekiyah. Shearim Metsiyunim BeHalacha 122:1 holds like Igrot Moshe. See also Kaf HaChaim 551:207 who quotes different opinions about this. </ref>

# One should not buy any clothes which would obligate one to make a Shechiyanu. <ref>Mishna Brurah 551:99, Kaf Hachaim 551:210 </ref>

# One should refrain from buying Tzitzit or a Talit during the three weeks. <ref>Sh"t Rivevot Efraim 1:375 in the name of Rav Moshei Feinstein writes that one should refrain from buying Tzitzis or a Talis. Similarly, Or LeArba Asar (pg 81) writes that one should buy and wear it (and make Shechiyanu) before the three weeks, however, after the fact if one didn't and one doesn't have as nice a pair one is permitted to wear it. Sh"T Birkat Reuven Shlomo 9:31 agrees. </ref>

# One should refrain from buying a car during the three weeks unless one is buying it primarily for business purposes (such as a truck). <ref>Sh"t Rivevot Efraim 1:375 in the name of Rav Moshei Feinstein </ref> However, if one's entire family will use it (and benefit from it) one may buy it until Rosh Chodesh Av and make a bracha of HaTov VeHaMetiev instead of Shechiyanu. <ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe 3:80, Sh"t Rivevot Efraim 1:375 </ref>

==Saying Shechiyanu==

# One should refrain from making a Shechiyanu during the Ben HaMeysarim. <Ref> S”A 551:17 writes that one should refrain from saying Shechiyanu during Ben HaMeysarim. The Magan Avraham 551:42 explains that the reason not to make Shechiyanu is because the three weeks is a time of tragedy for Klal Yisrael and it’s improper to have extra joy. However, the Gra D”H VeNohagin understands the practice as based on Aveilut and therefore argues that this is only an extra chumra and one is allowed to make Shechiyanu (just like a mourner can make a Shechiyanu as in Brachot 59b). The Taz agrees to be lenient based on the concern that perhaps if you don’t make the Bracha now you may not be able after the Ben HaMeysarim. Mishna Brurah 551:98 concludes that one shouldn’t be lenient except on Shabbat. </ref>

# On Shabbat one may make Shechiyanu. <Ref> Sefer Chasidim 840, Mateh Moshe 697, Yosef Ometz 861, Magan Avraham 551:21,42, Chaye Adam 133:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2, permit making Shechiyanu on Shabbat. However, the Magan Avraham 551:42 quotes the Kitvei HaArizal who is machmir even on Shabbat. Mishna Brurah 551:98 concludes that one can be lenient regarding making Shechiyanu on Shabbat since there’s some are lenient on shechiyanu during all of the three weeks and there’s some who specifically permit Shabbat.  </ref>  

# On Shabbat Chazon one shouldn’t wear new clothes. <Ref> Eliyah Rabba 551:17 in name of Madenei Yom Tov that one should wear new clothes even on Shabbat during the three weeks because wearing new clothes has a special aspect of happiness (greater than eating a new fruit). So holds the Chaye Adam 133:14, Derech HaChaim 551:6 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2 not to wear new clothes all three weeks including Shabbat. However, Aruch HaShulchan 551:38 writes that one can make Shechiyanu before Rosh Chodesh Av and afterwards one shouldn’t make Shechiyanu even on Shabbat Chazon. Additionally, Mishna Brurah 551:45 writes that even those who are lenient to make Shechiyanu on Shabbat will agree to be strict on Shabbat Chazon not to wear new clothes (which has a special element of happiness that a new fruit doesn’t have). Sh”t Yechave Daat 1:37 and Torat HaMoadim 5:7 concurs to the opinion of Mishna Brurah. </ref>

# One shouldn’t make a Shechiyanu on the night of Sheva Asar BeTamuz, however, is there’s great need, there’s what to rely on. <Ref> Sh”t Sh”t Chaim Shal 1:24, Kaf HaChaim 551:207, and Ikrei HaDaat O”C 27:9 write that one shouldn’t say Shechiyanu on the night of Sheva Aser BeTamuz. However, Nechamat Yisrael (pg 40) permits in case of great need based on Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1:168 (so is explicit in Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 3:100) and Mishnat Yacov (pg 168) permits Shechiyanu at night even without any need. </ref>

# Because one shouldn’t make a Shechiyanu, one shouldn’t eat a new fruit or wear a new clothing because these actions require a Shechiyanu. <Ref> Sh”t Chaim Shal O”C 7 and Ketonet Yosef 11 (quoted in Kaf HaChaim 551:207) writes that even though one can’t make a Shechiyanu during the 3 weeks, one can eat a new fruit or wear new clothes without a Bracha. However, the Sefer Chasidim 840, Shaarei Knesset HaGedolah 551:52, Bach 551e, Maamer Mordechai 551:14, Yometz Ometz 56, Bear Heitev 551:20, and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2 write that one is not allowed to have a new fruit during the three weeks without a Bracha, since having a new fruit requires a Bracha and it can’t be made during the three weeks. </Ref>

# Since nowadays we don’t make a Shechiyanu on buying new clothes but only for wearing new clothes, some permit buying new clothes and some forbid. <Ref> Halichot Shlomo pg 411 brings from the Talmidim of Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach that it’s permissible to buy new clothes since nowadays we don’t make a Bracha on buying clothes. see Nechamet Yisrael pg40 </ref>