3 Weeks- Is It Permissible To Say Shehechiyanu During The 3 Weeks
The question was asked if it is permissible to make the Beracha of ‘Shehechiyanu’ during the 3 weeks. It is brought down in Sefer Chasidim which was authored by Rabbi Yehudah HaChasid (1150 – 1217), that there were men of stature, (who Rav Yehuda calls Chasidim), that were careful during the 3 weeks not to make the Beracha of Shehechiyanu. Not on new fruit, not on a new clothes, and not on items for which we would normally say Shehechiyanu. The logic is obvious. How can one say the Beracha of Shehechiyanu, which in essence means that we are happy that we are brought to this time? The 3 weeks is from the ugliest of times in our history. So how can we rejoice during such a period? There is then a whole debate if it would be permissible to recite Shehechiyanu on a Shabbat that falls within the 3 weeks. So, we know that there are many Chachamim that were lenient to make Shehechiyanu on Shabbat, and thus you can rely on those opinions. But they were only referring to the Shabbats in the month of Tamuz. Once the month of Av arrives, it would not be right. That Shabbat in Av falls into the period of the 9 days preceding Tisha BeAv, and one should not make Shehechiyanu on that Shabbat. So for the most part, you would have 2 Shabbats where you can make Shehechiyanu.
It should be pointed out however, that the great Mekubal Arizal, and many other Mekubalim as brought down by Rav Chida, were each careful not to make Shehechiyanu even on Shabbat during the 3 weeks. So therefore it would be better to delay new items and its Shehechiyanu until after Tisha BeAv. For example, it would be better for a person to put off wearing a new Shabbat suit until after Tisha BeAv. But nonetheless, a person may and has what to rely on if he wants to wear the new suit on Shabbat. Another example would be if a person bought a new Talit, and he wants to wear for the first time on Shabbat and make a Shehechiyanu on Shabbat. In this case it would be better to wait until after Tisha BeAv, however he has what to rely on and may wear it for the first time on Shabbat and make the Shehechiyanu.
But again the Mekubalim are strict not to make Shehechiyanu on Shabbat at all within the 3 weeks, and that would be best.
