עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it Permissible to Buy New Clothes During the Week of 17 Tammuz?
Question
Hello esteemed Rabbi, I wanted to ask if it is permissible to buy new clothes during the week of 17 Tammuz? Thank you
Answer
Shalom,
1. Until Rosh Chodesh Av - it is permissible to buy new clothes. However, if the clothes require the shehechiyanu blessing, it is advisable to avoid wearing them for the first time starting from 17 Tammuz (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 551:17), unless you are wearing them on Shabbat (Mishnah Berurah 551:25; and also noted in the book Hazon Ovadiah on the Four Fast Days, page 128, although he added that some chassidim are stringent about this even on Shabbat).
2. From Rosh Chodesh Av - one should not buy new clothes at all, even those that do not require the shehechiyanu blessing, and even when you intend to wear them only after Tisha B'Av (see Shulchan Aruch and Rema there 551:7, Mishnah Berurah 551:49, and Hazon Ovadiah there, page 265).
Furthermore, from Rosh Chodesh Av, one may not renew clothes even on Shabbat (Rema there 551:6), and even according to the Sefardi custom, it is appropriate to be stringent about this (Hazon Ovadiah there, page 134).
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
