Can You Buy New Clothes During the Nine Days — and Can a Single Kind Word Change a Life?

Two Daily Halachot from Hidabroot, based on Halachah and Aggadah and the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Is It Permissible to Sew or Knit During the Nine Days?

It is forbidden to sew a new garment, embroider decorative stitching, or begin a new knitting project during the Nine Days. However, it is permitted to repair a torn garment or sew on a button that has fallen off.

If a person's livelihood depends on this work and they are experiencing financial hardship, they may continue working in these professions during the Nine Days.

Skilled tradespeople, such as carpenters, electricians, and others, may continue their regular work throughout this period.

Is It Permissible to Buy New Clothes During the Nine Days?

It is forbidden to purchase new clothing during the Nine Days, even if you do not intend to wear it until later.

However, it is permitted to repair torn clothing, and it is also permissible to buy fabric that will be used to sew a garment after Tisha B'Av.

Daily Insight

A group of frogs was happily wandering through the forest when two of them suddenly fell into a deep pit. The other frogs gathered around the edge, looked down, and seeing how deep the pit was, shouted, "You have no chance! Don't waste your energy!"

The two frogs tried with all their strength to jump out, but the voices from above continued:

"Don't bother trying! It's impossible! You'll never make it!"

One of the frogs lost hope, gave up trying, and remained at the bottom of the pit.

The other frog, however, kept jumping again and again despite exhaustion and discouragement. Finally, with one tremendous leap, it made it out of the pit.

The frogs watching from above were astonished.

"How did you do it? The pit was so deep!"

Using sign language, the excited frog thanked them: "It was because of all your encouragement! Thank you for cheering me on!"

Only then did they realize the truth: the frog was deaf and had mistakenly interpreted their cries of despair as words of encouragement.

The pit may be deep, and the struggle may be real, but the strength to climb out is also within us.

Our words shape reality. They have the power to lift others up, ignite hope, and restore someone's belief in themselves. Rather than judging or discouraging, let us choose to use the gift of speech to encourage, strengthen, and inspire. Even when someone is at their lowest, a single kind word can help them rise and believe in themselves once again.