Faith
Is it permitted to buy clothes for a baby before birth?
Question
I heard that it is forbidden to buy a baby items such as clothes before the child is born.
Is there any basis for this, or is it merely a superstition?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
It is permitted to buy new items for a baby before birth, although some are careful to avoid doing so because of the evil eye (Rav Chaim Kanievsky, may his merit protect us, cited in Sefer Shelat Rav, part 2, p. 58).
There is also one who wrote that, apparently, the reason for those who refrain is concern lest a mishap occur, Heaven forbid, such as a miscarriage or the like, and when the parents see before their eyes what they had purchased for their baby who was meant to be born, their hearts will grieve (Responsa Asseh Lecha Rav, part 6, siman 88. See also what is brought about this in Responsa Maaseh Afod, part 1, siman 93).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
