Dancing and Clapping on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

# It's forbidden to dance or clap on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 339:3. The Mishna in Beitzah 36b writes that it’s forbidden to clap or dance on [[Yom Tov]] or [[Shabbat]]. The Gemara (36b) explains that this is a rabbinic prohibition in order to prevent a person from coming to fix a musical instrument.  </ref> However, some have the minhag to be lenient in these issues and one shouldn't protest those who are lenient. Many authorities say that one shouldn't rely on this minhag except in cases of mitzvah. <Ref> Tosfot (Beitzah 30a s.v. Tenan) writes that the gezerah of Chazal only applied then when they were experts in fixing musical instruments but it wouldn’t apply to us since we’re not experts in that area. The Bet Yosef 339:3 writes that the implication of all the poskim who simply copy the prohibition of the Mishna is that they do not hold of the logic of Tosfot. The Shulchan Aruch 339:3 rules clearly that it’s forbidden to clap or dance on [[Shabbat]]. The Rama writes that the minhag is to be lenient based on the opinion of Tosfot that there’s no prohibition anymore of coming to fix a musical instrument. The implication of the Rama is that this minhag isn’t proper but it’s better not to inform people of the prohibition so that they only violate it unintentionally and not deliberately. The Mishna Brurah 339:10 writes that one shouldn’t rely on this minhag except in cases of mitzvah. This is also the opinion of the Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 16:43-4. Sh"t Igrot Moshe 2:100 writes that even though most rishonim forbid, since the rama quotes tosfot and that is the minhag there is what to rely on but a baal nefesh should be strict. 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 4, pg 1160) writes that based on the Rama many people permit themselves to clap and drum their fingers while singing (and quotes Igrot Moshe in the footnote). </ref>

# For the honor of the Torah it's permissible to dance on [[Simchat Torah]]. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 4, pg 1160) </ref>

# It is permitted to sing or whistle (with one's mouth) on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Rama 338:1 permits whistling. The Magen Avraham 338:2 explains that this is only referring to whistling which is not musical. However, Mishna Brurah 338:3 disagrees and says even if you whistle a song it is permissible because it is with the mouth. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 16:2, Rav Aviner (Sh"t Sheeilat Shlomo 1:182), Rav Soloveitchik (Divrei Harav, pg. 197-198) and 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 4, pg 1160) rule in accordance with the Mishna Brurah. </ref>