Is it permissible to buy a gift during the Nine Days?
Question
Is it possible to buy a gift to give to someone during these days? Thank you very much
Answer
Hello,
It is permissible to give a gift during the Nine Days, except on Tisha B'Av. However, if it is an important gift for which we would say the *shehechiyanu* blessing, it is best not to use it until after Tisha B'Av.
Sources: The permission to give a gift during the Nine Days is explicitly derived from the words of the Chasam Sofer zt"l in his book, *Mekor Chaim* (Section 138, Paragraph 10), who wrote that it is a simple custom to visit from house to house during these days and to receive gifts, as is customary, and to make a *sudat chinuch* (a celebratory meal). It is also evident from what is written in the *Mishnah Berurah* (Section 554, Paragraph 41) that it is forbidden to send a gift to a friend on Tisha B'Av, which implies that there is no prohibition on the other days leading up to Tisha B'Av. See also what is brought in the book *Nechamat Yisrael* (Chapter 5).
And my comment about an important gift, etc., is according to what is written in the *Shulchan Aruch* (Section 540, Paragraph 17).
Best regards,
Hillel Meiris
