Three Weeks בין המצרים – FAQs
May one get engaged during the 3 weeks?
One may get engaged during the 3 weeks and it is even permissible to have a celebratory seudah until Rosh Chodesh. From Rosh Chodesh Av, although engagements are permitted, only light refreshments may be served. Music and dancing are forbidden from the 17th of Tammuz until after Tisha B’Av, even at an engagement.
My moustache is getting really long, may I trim it?
If your moustache interferes with your eating then you are permitted to trim it.
Am I allowed to comb my hair during the 3 weeks if I know some hair will come out?
Yes. This is permitted even during the week of Tisha B’Av.
May I get my Sheital cut in the 3 weeks?
Yes, until the 9 days.
May I make a shehecheyanu on a new fruit during the 3 weeks?
One should ideally refrain from making a shehecheyanu on a weekday but may recite it on Shabbos. If the fruit will not keep until Shabbos, one may recite the brocha and eat the fruit.
During the 3 weeks, may a pregnant woman or ill person eat a new fruit during the week or must they also wait until Shabbos to make the brocha?
A pregnant woman or ill person is permitted to eat a new fruit during the week, though they should not recite a shehecheyanu on it.
My wife just gave birth to a baby girl. May we recite shehecheyanu even though it’s in the 3 weeks?
You may recite the brocha of shehechayanu on a baby girl even after Rosh Chodesh. Mazel Tov!
May I wear my new suit during the 3 weeks?
For the first days of the three weeks, new clothes that require a shehecheyanu may be worn on Shabbos and shehecheyanu is recited. From Rosh Chodesh, however, they should not be worn.
May I buy new clothes during the 3 weeks?
Clothes which do not require a shehecheyanu may be bought and worn until Rosh Chodesh. Clothes which do require a shehecheyanu may be bought until Rosh Chodesh but it is preferable to refrain from doing so.
May I buy a new car in the 3 weeks?
If you would not say shehechiyanu you may buy until the 9 days. If it is for business purposes you may buy even the 9 days.
May I listen to music in order not to get depressed or calm me down?
If not listening to music will genuinely effect your emotional stability, then it is permitted.
May I listen to music in order to help me exercise?
If it is necessary, then this is permitted until Rosh Chodesh.