Halachos of Daily Living

May I Purchase a New Tallis or Pair of Tefillin During
the Three Weeks?

The bracha of Shehecheyanu is
made when one purchases a talis gadol, if the tzitzis are
attached (Shulchan Aruch OC 22:1 and Mishna Berura 22:1),
just as Shehecheyanu is recited when purchasing new
garments. Since Shehecheyanu is not recited during the Three
Weeks, a new talis gadol should not be purchased during this
period (Igros Moshe OC 3:80). However, one may purchase and wear a
new talis katan until Rosh
Chodesh Av since
most people do not regard this garment as being significant and Shehecheyanu is
not recited (Igros Moshe ibid.). A talis
gadol may
also be purchased until Rosh Chodesh Av, if the tzitzis are
not attached (Moadei Yeshurun p. 129:13(b) and p. 152:34 in the
name of Rav Moshe, zt”l) because the talis is
not yet wearable. One may purchase or wear new tefillin during
the Three Weeks and Nine Days since it is not a garment like a talis and Shehecheyanuis
not recited when acquiring new tefillin (Igros
Moshe ibid).