Q. Can one visit a friend on Shabbat during the Nine Days? Can one bring a wine bottle as a present? Can one bring flowers to an ill person?
A. 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, when there is a reason like honouring and thanking a host for a Shabbos visit or bringing up the spirits and comforting the ill even in a weekday, it is permitted. (See following question).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
