buying STAM during the 9 days

Hey! Am I able to purchase new Tefillin or a Mezuzah during the 9 days? Some of it is for a Bar Mitzvah

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

The first Nine Days of the month of Av are days on somewhat intense mourning over the destruction of the two Temples and, by extension, the exile of the Jewish people.

In order for us to better feel the mourning of this period, the rabbis enacted a number of restrictions. One of these restrictions, as you clearly know, is buying new things.

The restriction on buying new things includes any items not only buying items that are meant to give us pleasure. There are some exceptions in the event that not purchasing such items will result in the inability to purchase them after the Nine Days or if not purchasing them would result in a monetary loss. Even in such instances, it is preferable if arrangements can be made to merely give a deposit for such items and then take possession of them after Tisha B’av.

It is, however, permitted to purchase routine items that are needed for routine living. This would include a new air-conditioner if one’s current air conditioner breaks, a new phone if lost/stolen/broken, or even a car if needed for business and other primarily non-pleasure needs.

Most relevant to your question is the issue of mitzva/ritual items. It is permitted to buy mitzva items such as tefillin, mezuza, and holy books for study. So to answer your question, you may buy all the ritual objects relevant to the bar mitzva, during the Nine Days but keep in mind that during the Nine Days we are to limit all buying and selling and therefore any clothing, especially fancy clothing, should only be purchased after the Tisha B’av.

OC 551 and commentaries