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Listening to Music: Difference between revisions
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*(f) Jewish music: The Meiri (Gittin 7a) and Otzer Geonim (Gittin 7a Siman 18) both permit songs of praise with musical instruments. However, the Orchot Chaim (Tisha BeAv 14) limits the leniency of songs of praise to people singing without musical instruments. Most Achronim hold like the Meiri including: the Maharikash (560e), Tzafnat Paneach (Devarim pg 156c), Sh”t Shoel VeNishal (O”C 6:45), Shemen HaMishcha (Tanit 560), Sh”t Sharei Tzion HaCohen (O”C 38), and Chazon Ovadyah (Arba Taniot pg 434). | *(f) Jewish music: The Meiri (Gittin 7a) and Otzer Geonim (Gittin 7a Siman 18) both permit songs of praise with musical instruments. However, the Orchot Chaim (Tisha BeAv 14) limits the leniency of songs of praise to people singing without musical instruments. Most Achronim hold like the Meiri including: the Maharikash (560e), Tzafnat Paneach (Devarim pg 156c), Sh”t Shoel VeNishal (O”C 6:45), Shemen HaMishcha (Tanit 560), Sh”t Sharei Tzion HaCohen (O”C 38), and Chazon Ovadyah (Arba Taniot pg 434). | ||
*(g) Jewish music: Even songs of Torah and thanks to Hashem must be sung with the proper attitude and seriousness. Similarly, the Magen Avraham 560:10 writes that the Torah weeps before Hashem when Jews make a mockery of it by singing its verses. | *(g) Jewish music: Even songs of Torah and thanks to Hashem must be sung with the proper attitude and seriousness. Similarly, the Magen Avraham 560:10 writes that the Torah weeps before Hashem when Jews make a mockery of it by singing its verses. See Piskei Teshuvot and Ish Matzliach on Mishna Brurah who write that the Magan Avraham only forbids one who doesn’t have pure intent. | ||
*(h) Classical music: Halichot Shlomo (pg 412) quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman who permits listening to music that doesn’t lead to (or accompany) dancing (whether it’s sung or played by an instrument). For example, classical music would fall into this category. It’s proper not to listen to such music during the three weeks as a sign of mourning. Similarly, Rabbi Shlomo Dechovsky (Techumin, Vol 21 pg 67) quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as permitting listening to classical music as one works because it’s unrelated to dancing (the primary prohibition of simcha is dancing, as in Magen Avraham 551:10). Others including: Rabbi Yosef B. Soloveitchik (quoted in RJJ Journal vol 14 pg 34) and Aseh Lecha Rav (3 pg 16). Lastly, Peninei Halacha (pg 145) permits songs that don’t lead to or involve simcha and, all the more so, sad songs. [Sh”t Shelat Shlomo 7:60 says that classical music should depend on the dispute between Rashi and Rambam.] | *(h) Classical music: Halichot Shlomo (pg 412) quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman who permits listening to music that doesn’t lead to (or accompany) dancing (whether it’s sung or played by an instrument). For example, classical music would fall into this category. It’s proper not to listen to such music during the three weeks as a sign of mourning. Similarly, Rabbi Shlomo Dechovsky (Techumin, Vol 21 pg 67) quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as permitting listening to classical music as one works because it’s unrelated to dancing (the primary prohibition of simcha is dancing, as in Magen Avraham 551:10). Others including: Rabbi Yosef B. Soloveitchik (quoted in RJJ Journal vol 14 pg 34) and Aseh Lecha Rav (3 pg 16). Lastly, Peninei Halacha (pg 145) permits songs that don’t lead to or involve simcha and, all the more so, sad songs. [Sh”t Shelat Shlomo 7:60 says that classical music should depend on the dispute between Rashi and Rambam.] | ||
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*(h) Wedding in Yerushalayim: there is an old gezerah that the rabbis of the second half of the nineteenth century established, declaring that there should be no music from musical instruments played at weddings in Yerushalayim. Rav Elyashiv in Bet Chatanim (pg 160) says that the gezerah was restricted to the Old City, while the Torat Chesed held that it applies even outside the Old City. See RJJ journal #14 pg 23, Shalmat Chayyim 1:77, 4:34, 5:40, Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 6:69 and Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:33. | *(h) Wedding in Yerushalayim: there is an old gezerah that the rabbis of the second half of the nineteenth century established, declaring that there should be no music from musical instruments played at weddings in Yerushalayim. Rav Elyashiv in Bet Chatanim (pg 160) says that the gezerah was restricted to the Old City, while the Torat Chesed held that it applies even outside the Old City. See RJJ journal #14 pg 23, Shalmat Chayyim 1:77, 4:34, 5:40, Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 6:69 and Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:33. | ||
*(k) Radio: 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 argues 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. | *(k) Radio: 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 argues 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.] | ||
*(l) Sefirah and three weeks: Many Achronim (Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:166, 5:87. 6:21:4, Sh”t Yacheve Daat 6:34, Sh”t Kapei Aharon Epstein 52, Yalkut Yosef Moadim pg 434, Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu Sefirat HaOmer #40 and Torat HaMoadim 5:2) write that even those who are lenient to listen to music during the rest of the year should refrain from listening during the Sefirah and three weeks. | *(l) Sefirah and three weeks: Many Achronim (Aruch HaShulchan 493:2, Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:166, 5:87. 6:21:4, Sh”t Yacheve Daat 6:34, Sh”t Kapei Aharon Epstein 52, Yalkut Yosef Moadim pg 434, Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu Sefirat HaOmer #40 and Torat HaMoadim 5:2) write that even those who are lenient to listen to music during the rest of the year should refrain from listening during the Sefirah and three weeks. The Igrot Moshe 1:166 and Sh”t Yachava Daat 6:34 hold that only instrumental music is forbidden during the Sefira, while Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 8:127, and Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:33 forbid even recorded vocal music. | ||
*(m) Understanding behind the dispute: Rabbi Aharon Kahn (RJJ journal #14 (pg 7-48)) suggests that the Rambam understood the prohibition as a way of refraining from joy after the destruction of the temple. This is clear from the language of the Rambam. [This is also reflected in the placement of this Halacha by the Rambam in Hilchot Taniot and Tur and S”A in the Siman of Zecher LeMikdash.] However, Tosfot (see Meiri (Gittin 7a)) understood that the prohibition was enacted because of vulgar songs and ths is was only applicable after the Sanhedrin lost it’s authority because it was then that people lost respect for the rabbis, and began to sing improper songs at weddings. | *(m) Understanding behind the dispute: Rabbi Aharon Kahn (RJJ journal #14 (pg 7-48)) suggests that the Rambam understood the prohibition as a way of refraining from joy after the destruction of the temple. This is clear from the language of the Rambam. [This is also reflected in the placement of this Halacha by the Rambam in Hilchot Taniot and Tur and S”A in the Siman of Zecher LeMikdash.] However, Tosfot (see Meiri (Gittin 7a)) understood that the prohibition was enacted because of vulgar songs and ths is was only applicable after the Sanhedrin lost it’s authority because it was then that people lost respect for the rabbis, and began to sing improper songs at weddings. | ||
