Shehecheyanu - Recitation

Recitation

The blessing of Shehecheyanu is recited in thanks or commemoration of:

• Generally, when doing or experiencing something that occurs infrequently from which one derives pleasure or benefit.
• The beginning of a holiday, including Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simhat Torah and Hannukah, but not holidays commemorating sad events, such as Tisha B'av.
• The first performance of certain mitzvot in a year, including sitting in a sukkah, eating matzah at the Passover Seder, reading the megillah, or lighting the candles on Hannukah
• Eating a new fruit for the first time since Rosh Hashanah

(normally said before the blessing over the fruit, but some customarily say it afterwards)

The fruit must be fresh, not dried

• Seeing a friend who has not been seen in thirty days
• Acquiring a new home, or significant new articles of clothing or utensils, such as a new suit
• The birth of a child (but not at the circumcision)
• A pidyon haben ceremony
• During a ritual immersion in a mikveh as part of a conversion

Some have the custom of saying it at the ceremony of the Birkat Hachama, which is recited once every 28 years in the month of Nissan/Adar II.

When several reasons apply (such as the beginning of Passover, together with the mitzvot of matzah, marror, etc.), the blessing is only said once.

It is not recited at a circumcision, since that involves pain, nor at the Counting of the Omer, since that is a task which does not give pleasure (and causes sadness at the thought that the actual omer ceremony cannot be performed because of the destruction of the Temple).