Three Weeks

From Halachipedia

Cutting Hair

  1. For Sephardim it’s forbidden to take a hair cut the week of Tisha BeAv (and it’s permitted to take a hair cut during the three weeks). [1]

Dancing

  1. Dancing is forbidden during the three weeks. [2]

Saying Shechiyanu

  1. One should refrain from making a Shechiyanu during the Ben HaMeysarim. [3]
  2. On Shabbat one may make Shechiyanu. [4]
  3. On Shabbat Chazon one shouldn’t wear new clothes. [5]
  4. 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. [6]

Eating a new fruit or wearing new clothing

  1. 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. Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag 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.

Who shouldn’t say Shechiyanu?

  1. However, a pregnant woman or a sick person is permitted to eat the new fruit. [7]

References

  1. Sh”t Yechave Daat 4:36, 3:39, Sh”t Yabea Omer 3:31:5, Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 551(2):11)
  2. Magan Avraham 551:10 says that it is forbidden to dance during the three weeks. This is brought as Halacha in the Achronim including Bear Hetiev 551:11, Mishna Brurah 551:16, Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 560, Kitzur S”A 551:9).
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Mishna Brurah 551:99