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1)The Bracha of SheHechiyanu is only recited when there is intrinsic Simcha in owning the new item.
Thus, it is only recited on clothing and utensils that are expensive or Chashuv (significant), such as a new Tallis, which is considered Chashuv, even if it isn't expensive.
(Regarding Tzitzis, it would depend on the individual if he feels it's a significant purchase. See Shu"t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 3 Siman 80 and Ben Ish Chai Parshas Breishis Siman 67)
Today's day and age when, due to the endless kindness of Hashem, we have such an abundance of clothing, accessories and utensils, according to many Poskim, SheHechiyanu is hardly ever recited, even on items that used to bring Simcha, unless the item that is bought is very significant, such as a car, a wedding gown, a Tallis etc. which even today brings to Simcha. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 23:15)
2) Commonplace, regular every day clothing and utensils do not bring special Simcha and thus no SheHechiyanu is recited upon acquiring them. (Mishna Berura 223:22)
Even if one is of lesser financial means, and he/she indeed experiences Simcha upon acquiring common clothing, still, according to the Ashkenazic custom, no SheHechiyanu is recited, as the importance of the clothing is determined based on the general population, and not on each individual. (The reason for this is that in the text of the Bracha we say "V'Higiyanu L'Zman HaZeh" thanking Hashem for helping us reach this time, which is a proclamation about something which mankind experiences only from time to time, and not on something that is commonplace to most of society. See Rama Siman 223:6 and Mishna Berura S"K 23 and 24)
Sephardic Jews and even some Ashkenazic Poskim, however, maintain that it is dependent on the individual, and if he/she experiences Simcha from a simple article of clothing or utensil, then indeed SheHechiyanu should be recited. (Shulchan Aruch 223:6 and Shu"t Radvaz Vol. 1 Siman 395. In Sefer V'Zos HaBracha page 167 he quotes Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg shlita as concurring with this opinion)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Todaywebsite.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
[ed. note: Not a halacha question, rather an interesting Torah question]
I read this past Shabbos, that the waters at the time of the mabul were scalding hot. How on earth did the fish survive?
Answer:
The Gemara (Sanhedrin 108a) and MidrashRabbah(Noach, 32:19, according to one opinion there) indeed say that the fish (and possibly all the creatures of the sea) survived, as they did not follow the lead of the people and animals of that generation and practice immoral mating practices.
Most probably, the waters were only boiling on the surface and not in the depths of the sea. Another option (as seems from the second opinion in the Midrash) is that there was one ocean that was not boiling (The Yam Okeanos, the Atlantic ocean) and all the fish went there to survive.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
