New fruit
Q: What are the parameters for making the b'racha of shehechiyanu on a new fruit?
A: Although some mention that even if one merely sees[1] a new fruit then that would warrant a shehechiyanu, the custom is to make the b'racha right before consuming it as that is when the true joy is actualized.[2]
Q: Is any fruit that hasn't been eaten that year considered a “new fruit”?
A: This is a common misconception of which the Shulchan Aruch[3] clearly says to be otherwise. As even if one has not eaten a particular fruit for years one would only make a shehechiyanu if he is ready to eat a fruit of which the new crop just became available. This is why one does not make a shehechiyanu on a new cut of meat or piece of fish as their availability exists all year long.[4]
Q: If one only makes a shehechiyanu on a fruit that just becomes available for the first time that year, would one make the b'racha on a fruit that is imported from elsewhere?
A: While some say that a shehechiyanu is still able to be made, it seems from most other poskim[5] that since one is able to get this fruit all year long one would not make the b'racha as it is lacking in the required simcha. One should therefore inquire from his local fruit store as to whether or not this is a new crop not otherwise available prior to purchase or was it just bought from another store (specialized gourmet market etc.) in which case it is not “new” as it was being sold all year long (for example pomagranates, star fruit and sabras can be purchased all year, it is only the Jewish stores that present them only twice a year). Since this is almost always the case many are noheg to refrain from making a shehechiyanu over any new fruit aside for on the second night of Rosh Hashana.[6]
Q: Are there any fruits that one can be rest assured are deserving of a shehechiyanu?
A: As mentioned above it is difficult to answer that question in America as almost all fruits are available on a constant basis via import from various warm climate countries, there is some more determinate species of fruit in Eretz Yisroel that one should make the b'racha on. For example,
ü watermelon
ü mango
ü strawberries
ü cherries
are all fruits that are only available after the new crop and would warrant one to make a birchas shehechiyanu.[7] (Although watermelon is in actuality a borai pri ha'adama, nonetheless it warrants a bracha on its new crop as to other fruits in its category[8]
Q: Are there any fruits where one would definitely not make a shehechiyanu?
A: Any fruit that is
(a) dried[9]
(b) in spread form (avocado turned into guacamole)[10]
(c) not seasonal
(d) hardened to the point that it loses its taste completely (i.e. buxser)[11]
would not require the b'racha of shehechiyanu.
New house, appliances, car, clothing
Q: Are there any other instances when one would make a b'racha shehechiyanu aside for on a new fruit?
A: the mishna in Berachos[12] mentions if one buys a new house or gets new utensils one would make this b'racha.
Q: Are there any exception to making a shehechiyanu on a new house?
A: If one is only:
1) renting[13]
2) buying for investment purposes[14]
3) adding a garage or patio deck[15]
then no b'racha would be made.
Q: When would one make the b'racha for a new house?
A: After making the house halachically permissible to reside in by putting up the mezuzah's it would then be an ideal time to recite a shehechiyanu.[16]
Q: What is included in “utensils”?
A: The poskim[17] bring down that purchasing the following items new would warrant a shehechiyanu:
ñ washing machine/dryer
ñ dishwasher
ñ air conditioner
ñ refrigerator
Q: Does one make a shehechiyanu when purchasing a new car?
A: R' Moshe Feinstein zt”l was under the impression that one does indeed make a shehechiyanu when buying a new car.[18] However, the fact that people seem to be lax in this halacha does have some halachic basis. R' Chaim Falagi zt”l[19] (a great Sephardi Rabbinic authority) held that if one's purchase comes at the expense of incurring debts then the simcha required to make the shehechiyanu would not be present. Since many times one does not own the car but is rather financing it so as long as one still owes money to the bank one would not be making a shehechiyanu as the joy is somewhat curtailed.[20]
Q: Would buying a used car be any different?
A: If one is financing it then the same halacha as above would apply. If one is making a complete purchase on a used car so one may possibly compare it to buying an animal for working purposes. Since there is a possibility that the animal may die before being productive the poskim do not require that one make the b'racha.[21] Similarly, if there is reason to believe that the car bought may be a “lemon” then one need not make a shehechiyanu.
Q: On what articles of clothing should one make a shehechiyanu?
A: In general, any article of clothing that is not of significant importance[22] such as:
Ø socks
Ø shirt
Ø sweaters
Ø ties
would not warrant the b'racha as it does not bring a true simcha. However, big items that are considered a “rarity” when purchased may be included in the mitzvah of reciting shehechiyanu. These items would include:
ü suit
ü shabbos coat[23]
ü engagement ring[24]
ü shaitel
Q: When would be the ideal time to make the b'racha?
A: When the suit is ready to be worn following the alterations as well as the shatnez check is the proper time to recite the b'racha of shehechiyanu.[25]
Q: If this were to be the case why are we not noheg to make the b'racha upon purchasing major articles of clothing?
A: Summing up this topic it seems as if there are three categories of shehechiyanu.[26] Making the b'racha on;
è a Yom Tov
è a new fruit
è an article of clothing and new house
While the first two are koveah by chazal and are objectively incumbent upon us to make, the third category is much more of a subjective requirement. Meaning the b'racha would be dependent on whether or not the individual has a notable simcha or not. Since b”h there is much affluence and abundance nowadays, one would be hard pressed to say that one receives true joy[27] when buying a suit, coat etc.[28] (If however one does experience true joy when making these purchases then one may make the b'racha.)
[1] See Rashi on Eiruvin 40b
[2] S.A. O.C. 225:3
[3] S.A.. 225:6
[4] Be'er Haitiv 225:11
[5] Igros Moshe O.C. 3:34, see Zmiros Divrai Yoel 2:425
[6] Igros Moshe Ibid.
[7] See V'zos Habracha for a more extensive list
[8] Be'ur Halacha 225:3 D'h Pri
[9] Rivevos Ephraim 7:60:1
[10] Aruch Hashulchan 225:12
[11] Oral Psak heard from R' Doniel Yehudah Neustadt Shlita
[12] 54a
[13] Revivos Ephraim 6:108
[14] Birchos Habayis 24:36
[15] See Shar Hatzion 223:14, Birchas Habayis doesn't consider a garage or any other area that I s not a “bais dira” to put one into such a state of simcha
[16] Shar Hatzion 223:21, Birchas habayis 24:33
[17] Sh”ut Be'er Moshe 5:68
[18] Igros Moshe 3:80
[19] Lev Chaim 3:52
[20] It is for this reason why the Be'er Moshe 5:68 held that one need not make the b'racha on a new house as the mortgage is being paid out to the bank in which case one doesn't fully own the property. Both R' Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita and R' Chaim Kanievsky Shlita held that if one has a tenant or some other planned means of where he knows that the money will be coming in on a monthly basis then the true simcha for making the b'racha would be present
[21] See Aishel Avraham (b'utschach) 223:1
[22] See Terumas Hadeshsen:36, Radvaz 1:395 seems to hold like the Rosh that the b'racha is entirely subjective and if one derives true happiness from a certain item then he would the b'racha on that
[23] See Minchas Elazer Darchai Chaim 252 who mentions that he would only make a shehechiyanu on Shabbos clothing
[24] See Igros Moshe for an elaboration on this particular case
[25] M.B. 223:17, Shar Hatzion 21
[26] See Pischai Teshuvos 225:1 who breaks it down into these three categories
[27] Magen Avraham 5, Kaf Hachaim 20
[28] Look at Rama 223:6 where clearly the emphasis is on the item being chashuv as opposed to the subjective joy of the person, the Michaber, bringing down the view of the Rosh holds that even if it is a small purchase, if he gets true joy, such as in the case of an indigent person then one can make the b'racha on practically anyting