#596 Car Caring in the Nine Days of Mourning

Q. If there is a sale on a new car that will not be available after Tisha Beav, can you give a deposit and sign the purchase agreement during the nine days if you take possession of the car after Tisha Beav?

A. On question 100 on this forum we wrote: “Igrois Moishe’s (O.C. 3, 80) opinion is that if the car is a pleasure vehicle, one should avoid acquiring it during the 3 weeks, as he has to pronounce the brocho of Sheheheyonu when taking possession. However if it’s primary use is as a business vehicle, like a truck or van, it would be permitted. Darchei Hoiroho (Bein Hametzorim 14) permits buying a car for a family man until Rosh Chodesh. (see also Ribabos Efroim 3,3).

Horav Shlomo Miller’s opinion is that if one takes delivery of the vehicle after Tisha B’av it is permitted until the nine days begin, as no brocho will be recited yet.”

Also it should be noted that there is no prohibition to recite Hatov Vehameitiv during the three weeks, and one may therefore make a purchase that will benefit a group of people. However, during the Nine Days any purchase that provides enough joy to qualify as “Binyan Shel Simcho” should be avoided and no Hatov Vehameitiv should be recited. (Igrois Moishe ibid.).

When this could not be achieved before the Nine Days, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that in case of need one may still sign a purchase contract. However, he should condition his signature on the contract and the deposit of monies, to only agreeing to purchase the car in the near future, not actually buying it and owing it now. Therefore until he takes possession of the automobile the ownership will remain in the hands of the vendor.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a.