Listening to Music: Difference between revisions

# According to Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:166 and Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:33:2, listening to music through a radio or tape-recorder is considered by most to be the same as listening to the music live. The same goes for recorded music of instruments. ***However, Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 62:2 (also quoted by Sh”t Yachave Daat 1:45, 6:34) argues that since the music comes from an instrument that didn’t exist in the time of Chazal, it should be considered forbidden under the gezera of Chazal***(check citation for clarification) However, Sh”t Az Nidabru 8:58 and Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 8:127 argue that recorded music is always considered music from musical instruments even if it was recorded from people singing. He explains that it emanates from an instrument and produces an artificial sound. [See Shalmei Moed who quotes Rav Elyashiv as agreeing with the Igrot Moshe.]             

'''Sefirah and three weeks'''

==Halachot==

* Shulchan Aruch 560:3 rules like the Rambam in Yad Chazakah. The Rama 560:3, though, quotes the opinion of Tosfot as normative, while the Bach 560 holds like the Sh”t HaRambam. Many acharonim, including the Magen Avraham 560:9, Mishna Brurah 560:13, Kaf HaChaim 560:26, and Sh”t Az Nidbaru 8:58 cite the Bach and seem to hold like him. Kitzur S”A 126:3 clearly holds like the Bach. Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:166 rules like S”A but adds that a righteous individual should be strict for the Bach.

* On the other hand, Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:33, Rav Belsky in Shulchan HaLevi 16:2, Hilchot Chag BeChag (p. 24), and Sh”t Sheilat Shlomo 7:59 accept the position of the Rama. </ref> According to Sephardim, however, many hold that it is forbidden to listen to musical instruments anytime, and even vocal songs are prohibited at a feast with wine. Nonetheless, many Sephardim are lenient to listen to recorded music or music over the radio. <Ref>* According to Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:166 and Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:33:2, listening to music through a radio or tape-recorder is considered to be the same as listening to the music live. Sh”t Chelkat Yaakov 64:2 argues that since the music comes from an instrument that didn’t exist in the time of Chazal, it should not be forbidden under Chazal’s prohibition. On the other extreme, Sh”t Az Nidabru 8:58:3 and Sh”t Sheivet HaLevi 2:57 hold that recorded music is always considered music from musical instruments, even if it was recorded as “a capella”, because it emanates from an instrument (i.e. the music player).

# Many authorities hold that classical music is not included in this prohibition. <Ref> Rabbi Chaim Jachter (Gray Matter vol 3 p. 5) quotes Rav Soloveitchik as saying that classical music was not included in the prohibition of Chazal altogether. Sheilat Shlomo 7:60 agrees. Similarly, Rav Shlomo Zalman (Halichot Shlomo 11:14 and 14:3) permits listening to music that does not lead to dancing, even if it contains musical instruments, even during the three weeks and sefirat ha’omer. He adds, though, that for the three weeks, it is proper to be strict. See also Rabbi Dichovsky’s essay (Techumin Vol 21 p. 67) where he quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as permitting listening to background music as one works, learns, or drives during the three weeks because such music is unrelated to dancing. </ref>

# Listening to music to prevent depression is permissible but this leniency should be used restrictively and preferably only after consulting a local Rabbi. <Ref> Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 6:69 permits listening to music so as to prevent a person from becoming depressed. Sh”t Maharshag 2:155, Chelkat Yaakov 1:62, Sh”t Mishna Halachot 6:106, and Sh”t Az Nidabru 5:58:2 also permit music to prevent depression, however, Sh”t Az Nidabru warns not to use this leniency too loosely because it could lead to uprooting the entire Halacha of listening to music; therefore, a person should ask a local Rabbi about their situation.  </ref>