Answer by Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin, Moreh Hora’ah at Beis Horaa Rechovot, Israel:
Shulchan Aruch does not mention a prohibition to buy new clothing during sefira, nonetheless the custom since the days of the rishonim is not to rejoice during sefira in a manner that would require one to recite shehechiyanu (1).
Although we generally do not recite shehechiyanu on new clothing nowadays, contemporary poskim write that one may still not do something that would have warranted a shehechiyanu (2).
Shehechiyanu is recited on clothes that cause a person joy, namely a suit, fancy shirt or an elegant dress (3). Basic clothes and shoes which do not cause joy and may be purchased during sefira (4).
It is permitted to purchase even elegant clothing if:
* One is in desperate need (5).
* There is a significant sale or a passing opportunity (6).
* If it requires tailoring. In the latter cases, one should refrain from wearing the clothes during sefira (7).
Generally speaking, Halacha requires the bracha at the time of purchase, assuming the garment is ready for wearing. Should the garment need tailoring, the bracha would be recited when wearing it for the first time.
Nonetheless, the minhag is to recite shehechiyanu only upon wearing it, since: (a) until one wears it he may find a defect and return it.8 (b) Nowadays, a real joy is only felt when wearing the garment (9).
For this reason, some hold that one may purchase new clothing during sefira to wear it later, especially considering that without being allowed to wear the garment at the time of purchase (because of sefira), buying it won’t cause significant joy (10).
However, many dispute this argument, especially regarding elegant clothes, where the purchase alone is a source of joy (11).
Some hold, and such is Chabad custom, that one may wear new clothes and recite shehechiyanu on Shabbos during sefira (12). However, the garment must be suitable for normal wearing on Shabbos, for otherwise one will be preparing on Shabbos for the weekday (13).
SOURCES:
1. רבנו ירוחם ח”א נתיב ה’, לקט יושר דף צ”ז.
2. ראה פסק”ת תצ”ג סק”ג.
3. תוס’ ד”ה רבי – ברכות נ”ט ע”ב. ובאם יש שותף לשמחה מברכים הטוב והמיטיב.
4. ראה סדר ברכה”נ פי”ב הלכה ה’.
5. שו”ת אפרסקא דעניא סי’ קע”ו.
6. ראה פסק”ת סימן תקנ”א סקכ”ז, וק”ו לנדו”ד.
7. היות שמרכים שהחיינו על הלבישה באם לא ברך על הקניה.
8. כף החיים סי’ רכ”ג סק”ל.
9. מאמר מרדכי סי’ רכ”ג אות ה’.
10. בשם הרב יצחק ע”ה הענדל – ס’ ממלכת כוהנים שער יצחק סי’ כט אות י”ד.
11. שמעתי ממורי הוראה (שלדעתם אי”ז סיבה מספקת להתיר).
12. תו”מ תשמ”ט ח”ג ע’ 134.
13. הרב י”י בלינוב שליט”א.
Published in the Lma’an Yishme’u newsletter at MerkazAnash.com
