Bais HaVaad on the Parsha, Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech

Bracha on Sight

September 3, 2026

Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Rav Moshe Yitzchok Weg

The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 600:2) says that we recite Shehecheyanu at Kiddush on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, just as on the first. And to accommodate the view that the two days are treated as yoma arichta (one long day), so Shehecheyanu isn’t warranted, a new fruit should be present during Kiddush. The Rama (600:3) says 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 effective. The Machatzis Hashekel explains this based on the Shulchan Aruch (225:3), which says that although one may recite Shehecheyanu even upon 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 on sight 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 a 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.