SHE'HE'CHE'YANU during the Three Weeks
We've written this up before, but it's good to review, not only the details but the concepts that stand behind the details. We're into the Three Weeks already, and a question that arises every so often is about saying the joyous bracha of SHE'HE'CHE'YANU during the mournful period of BEIN HA'M'TZARIM.

There is a dispute among authorities on this issue.
The Shulchan Aruch and the ARI Z"L say that one should not recite the bracha during the Three Weeks. Therefore, one should not buy new fruits during this period (since it would not be proper to eat them without saying this bracha) nor should one buy new items that would require the bracha. The exception to the rule according to this opinion would be a mitzva such as BRIT MILA (according to the Israeli custom to say the bracha in question) or a PIDYON HABEN (even when postponed from their "proper" times. One does not "spoil" the mitzva by not saying that bracha.)

The Vilna Gaon says that one need not prevent himself from saying the bracha even on weekdays, even during the week of Tish'a b'Av. The joy of the SHE'HE'CHE'YANU-causing event exists simultaneously with the mournful mood of the Three Weeks. Rather than considering this a contradiction, we can see it as almost typical of Jewish life - the bitter with the sweet.

The Mishna B'rura writes that one can say the bracha on Shabbat, but he agrees with the Shulchan Aruch about the weekdays, that one should not say SHE'HE'CHE'YANU. One can buy a new fruit during the Three Weeks, but should save it for Shabbat and make the bracha then.

If the not saying SHE'HE'CHE'YANU will cause a diminishing of Oneg Shabbat, then even those that hold not to say SHE'HE'CHE'YANU at all during the Three Weeks, would allow it on Shabbat. This would apply to people who often spot a new fruit and get excited about saving it for Shabbat as a special treat. To hold back from doing that is a slap to Shabbat and will cause a drop in Oneg Shabbat. In such a case, by those prune-plums (or whatever) and enjoy them on Shabbat, with a SHE'HE'CHE'YANU. The issue we're dealing with here is open (obvious) mourning on Shabbat. If it "doesn't show", these opinions would rather avoid SHE'HE'CHE'YANU.

The Aruch HaShulchan distinguishes between the first part of the Three Weeks and the latter, viz. the Nine Days. He writes that until Rosh Chodesh Av, one may say the bracha even during the week, but during the Nine Days, only on Shabbat.

If you see a new fruit that won't be around after Tish'a b'Av, then you can buy it and save it for Shabbat. And if it is such a fragile fruit that it won't make it intact for Shabbat, then you can say SHE'HE'CHE'YANU even during the week.

Wouldn't it be simpler just to skip the new fruit for three weeks? We don't HAVE to have new fruit all the time. There's plenty of old fruit to eat. But that's not what our Sages taught us. That's the point. We are entitled to joy. Even while mourning.

May we see the day soon, when saying SHE'HE'CHE'YANU at any time of year will be the most natural thing to do.

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