Hello Rabbi, two unrelated questions. I hope you can help me. 1. Is it ok to buy nonsignificant items (food, pens) during the 9 days even if they will not be open/used until after Tisha BAv? 2. If one has a nonbread meal for dinner and then eats brownie brittle (crunchy brownie pieces), does one need to wash for the brownie brittle? Is there a certain amount over which one must wash? (the whole bag is 5 ounces and I would probably have half) thank you!

Shalom, Thank you for your question. 1. Yes, basic shopping is allowed, even for after the Nine Days. 2. There is much discussion in halacha as to when cake (over which we say “mezzonot”) requires washing, saying ha’motzie and benching afterwards. (Our website has a very good article on this subject - https://www.yeshiva.co/midrash/12033). However, in your case, where the cake is eaten by itself at the end of the meal, and the amount you mention is 2.5 ounces, one would say the mezonot blessing, and not wash. Blessings.