Q. I visit weekly a seriously sick patient in hospital. To convey some cheer, I usually bring some flowers. Can that be done during the Nine Days?
A. On question 3266 regarding bringing flowers to a nonreligious grandmother for her birthday during the Nine Days; we wrote: “On question 3260 regarding one that buys flowers for home every Friday Lik’vod (in honor of) Shabbos, if he should also do so for Shabbos Chazon, (Shabbos before Tisha Beav), we wrote:
“As mentioned in a question above, Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 551: 2) rules that from Rosh Chodesh Av until after Tisha Beav one should avoid a ‘Binyan Shel Simcha’ or building a structure dedicated mainly for pleasure and joy, and that includes planting flora and trees dedicated for those purposes.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although it is not exactly the same as planting new flowers, it is still better to avoid even just buying them on Shabbos Chazon.”
However, in this case due to the most important issues involved, Horav Aharon Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the flowers can be given.”
The same should apply in our case.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a.