Nine Days - Mitzvah Related Purchase

QUESTION: May one purchase a new tallis or tefillin during the nine days? What about sneakers for Tisha B’Av?

ANSWER: Rivevos Efrayim (1:375) writes in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l that although in general one should not make new purchases during the nine days, one may purchase a new pair of tefillin, since the purchase is being made solely for the purpose of a mitzvah. However, he writes that beginning from Shiva Assar B’Tamuz one may not purchase a new tallis. This is because aside from it being a religious article, a tallis is also an article of clothing. When one buys a new tallis, one recites Shehecheyanu, and it is inappropriate to recite Shehecheyanu during the three weeks. However, those who do not recite Shehecheyanu on a tallis katan may purchase a tallis katan during the three weeks. Rav Moshe Feinstein also permitted purchasing cheap sneakers for Tisha B’Av during the nine days for those who would otherwise be unable to walk outside without shoes.

___________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.