Big Purchases During the Three Weeks

Q. May I purchase a new car during the Three Weeks?

A. Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l discusses this question in Igros Moshe OC 3:80. He distinguishes between three types of vehicles:

  1. A car bought for personal use requires a Shehecheyanu and may therefore not be purchased during the Three Weeks. A Shehecheyanu should not be said during the Three Weeks.
  2. A car bought for family use requires the beracha of HaTov V’Hameitiv, since Hashem has shown kindness to the family. This beracha may be recited during the Three Weeks (Shaarei Teshuva OC 551:18). A car may be purchased under such circumstances during the Three Weeks until Rosh Chodesh Av. It may not be purchased during the Nine Days, because it is similar to new construction, which is prohibited during the Nine Days because it brings joy.
  3. A truck or a small car designated for business use may be purchased during the entire Three Weeks, since it is needed for work. The beracha of Shehecheyanu should be postponed until after the conclusion of the Three Weeks.

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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.