dear revered rabbonim,
i am disabled and unemployed, with a large overdraft. I only have 1 pair of trousers and 1 pair of shoes and no sneakers/trainers. I am poor health and live in a care home, and my basic hygene needs are not attended to stam, because this whole 3 weeks/9 days thing makes me depressed all the time. If my trousers are linen can I wash them, and since my regular shoes are too tight anyway, can I buy trainers?
gershon wynschenk, london nw11 u.k
Dear Gershon,
Firstly, we are very sorry to hear about your difficult situation. Because some details of the Halachah may depend upon nuances of your particular case, it is best to personally consult a Rabbi regarding Halachic rulings. Nevertheless, we will present a broad outline of the issues involved.
In normal situations, since it is prohibited to recite Shehecheyanu during the 9 days, it is also prohibited to buy any item that normally requires Shehecheyanu to be recited. Thus, the Mishnah Berurah 551:49 Paskens that shopping for clothing or shoes, even if they are intended for use after the Nine Days, is prohibited (see Rema OC 551:7. See also Mishnah Berurah 45). Both expensive and inexpensive items (such as socks) are included in this prohibition.
Rav Moshe Feinstein paskens that one who does not have appropriate shoes to wear on Tishah b'Av may buy them during the Nine Days (Igros Moshe OC 3:80).
One who never recites Shehecheyanu on clothes, even on expensive ones (see Teshuvos Maharshag 1:95) could also purchase and wear expensive clothes during this time. Those who do recite Shehecheyanu when putting on new clothes (as opposed to when buying them), may still buy and alter them until Rosh Chodesh Av but they may not be worn until after the Nine Days are over - see Mishnah Berurah 551:45; Kaf ha'Chayim 551:88: Harav S. Z. Auerbach (Shalmei Moed, pg. 478).
The Shulchan Aruch OC 551:3 rules that all freshly laundered (or dry-cleaned) clothes and linens (such as towels, sheets and tablecloths), may not be worn or used during the Nine Days.
S. Bloom