- Q. Someone that needs to hear music during work or while he is driving to calm him down or to help him not falling asleep, is that permitted during the Three Weeks?
A. We had a similar Shaila:
“4215 Can someone who is in need to calm the nerves and find peace of mind train to play a musical instrument such as an electric keyboard during the Sefira days?
To what we answered: "On question 2635 regarding if one may listen to music during sefira to avoid depression due to the current (covid) situation; we wrote: “The tradition not to listen to music during Sefira days has become widely accepted in our days, and according to Poskim it includes even non live music such as taped music.
(Igrois Moshe O.H. 1: 166, Minchas Yitzchok, 1: 111, Oz Nidberu 8: 58, Yechave Daas 6:34, Tzitz Eliezer 15: 33, Kinyan Torah 2: 99 and many others). However, Chelkas Yaakov (1: 62) argues that an electronic device which did not exist at the time when the decree became accepted, cannot be included in the Gezera. There are some exceptions to this minhag, such as listening to classical music On question 281 we wrote: Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that in principle serious or cheerless classical music would be permitted (during Sefira) as we do sing a sad tune even on Tisha B’av (E-li Tzion).
However it is likely that while listening to a symphony, parts of it may meet the criteria of the mood markings of allegro, animato, or giocoso. It is therefore advisable to refrain from listening to all music, unless needed for therapeutic purposes. On question 1305 we added that the same should apply to playing classical music on a piano or other instruments.
On question 1711 in regard to teaching dancing classes during Sefira, we wrote: “Mogen Avrohom (493: 1) rules that non-mitzva dancing is prohibited during Sefira days. However, Igrois Moshe (O.H. 3: 87) permits teaching instrumental music when it is done as a professional duty and not for enjoyment. See Naharos Eisan (p. 252) in regards to permitting singing and playing music for children in school.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should avoid if possible attending or teaching dancing classes during Sefira,”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in our case, if the music is needed to help him go to sleep, he may listen better to a shiur of Torah that in some cases may have the same effect.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
