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1) There is a custom upon seeing someone wear a new article of clothing, to wish them "Tischadesh", a greeting indicating that you wish them much Simcha from their new possession.
If the article of clothing is leather, including leather shoes, the custom is not to say "TisChadesh" since living things (i.e. animals) were hurt and/or killed in the process of manufacturing the garment.
There is no difference if the animal involved was a Kosher animal or not. (See Rama Siman 223:6 and Mishna Berura S"K 25) 2) According to some Poskim, the Bracha of SheHechiyanu is not recited on new leather garments for the same reason. (Halichos Shlomo Perek 23:15. In Sefer V'Zos HaBracha page 169 he quotes Rav Mordechai Eliyahu shlita as ruling this way and thus explains why no SheHechiyanu is recited on new Tefilin, since they are made from leather) However, according to other Poskim, only "Tischadesh" isn't said to one who is wearing a new leather item, but the wearer of the item indeed should recite SheHechiyanu. (Pri Megadim(Mishbetzos Zahav) Siman 22:1, Kaf HaChaim 223:48 and Ketzos HaShulchan Siman 64:6) Some Poskim say that SheHechiyanu is not recited on shoes for a different reason: that shoes aren't considered a significant article of clothing and are often replaced. (See Aruch HaShulchan 223:8 and Halichos Shlomo ibid.)
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.
Many Poskim rule to recite "Borei Pri Ha'Eitz" first and immediately follow that with "SheHechiyanu", and we don't consider the SheHechiyanu as an interruption between the Bracha on the fruit and the eating. (Shu"t Radvaz Siman297, Kaf HaChaim 225:24. This was also the ruling of the Gaon of Vilna, quoted in Tosefos Ma'aseh Rav 75:3.
I thought the Vilna Gaon held to recite SheHecheyanu immediately upon seeing the fruit and that his wife had to "hide" the fruit from him for the 2nd night of Rosh Hashana.
Answer:
In Sefer Hilchos HaGra U'Minhagav (from Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita, grandson and expert on the Gra's writings) page 171, it is brought down that the Gra originally held to recite the Bracha at the time of seeing the fruit, and was later on Chozer (changed) from that opinion and maintained that the correct time for the Bracha is when eating it.
Only when the fruit is not being eaten, and is in his friends hand, did the Gra maintain that the Bracha should be made when seeing it.
I am not familiar with the story you say about his wife, however in Sefer Maaseh Rav HaShalem (page 234) it does indeed bring a story that The Gra once recited the SheHechiyanu as soon as he saw the fruit on Rosh Hashana by Kiddush.
However, this could have been before he changed his ruling, or he could have had no plans to eat that fruit, and thus in that case indeed ruled that the bracha is recited on the seeing.
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 )
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