Bais HaVaad on the Parsha, Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech

Bracha On Sight 

Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Rav Moshe Yitzchok Weg

September 7, 2023

The Shulchan Aruch says (O.C. 600:2) that we recite shehecheyanu at kiddush on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, as on the first, and that to accommodate the view that the two days are treated as yoma arichta (one long day), a new fruit should be present during kiddush. The Rama writes (600:3) that on the second day, the ba’al tokeia recites shehecheyanu before blowing the shofar; the Shulchan Aruch disagrees.

The Magein Avraham (ibid. 7) says it is good for the ba’al tokeia to wear a new item of clothing when blowing the shofar on the second day, to accommodate the view that there is no shehecheyanu on the second day. The Pri Megadim understands that only new clothing, and not a new fruit, is acceptable for this purpose. The Machatzis Hashekel explains this based on the Shulchan Aruch, who says (225:3) that although one may recite shehecheyanu even on just seeing a new fruit, it has become customary to make it only when eating the fruit. (The Rama maintains that one who recites it upon seeing does not lose out.) Because the ba’al tokeia is not eating the fruit at tekias shofar, a new garment is worn instead.

The Kaf Hachaim says that since there is no actual requirement that the ba’al tokeia have something new for the shehecheyanu, he may have a new fruit present and rely on the view that allows the bracha on sight alone. The Levushei Mordechai says that regardless, a woman lighting candles on the second night may recite shehecheyanu with a new fruit on hand, because she plans to eat it shortly.