Music In The 3 Weeks: Recorded Music, Acapella, Kumzitz, Singing To Yourself, Music Lessons

musicThe Mishna Brura (551:16) says that it is assur to dance in the 3 weeks. This is the reason for the issur of listening to music. All the recent poskim (including Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Minchas Yitzchok) say that this includes listening to music even recorded from a tape or CD. Rav Elyashiv, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, The Tzitz Eliezer (15:33) and others say that even acapella recordings, singing that doesn’t have musical instruments, are also forbidden.

A gathering of people are forbidden to sing if it is the kind of songs that will lead to dancing. Songs of praise to Hashem or in the spirit of the nine days are permitted.

Singing to yourself is permitted because it is just to lift your spirits and you don’t usually break out in dance. Nevertheless the Steipler Gaon did not let his children sing during the 3 weeks, only on Shabbos.

Music teachers can continue to give lessons in the 3 weeks if they need to for their livelihood. Rav Elyashiv paskens that although permissible until Rosh Chodesh Av, lessons should not be given in the 9 days. (see Pischei Tshuvos 493:4 and 551:13)

Author’s Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. Please also understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions. Revach

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3 COMMENTS

  1. So how come when you go into most stores or a lot of stores they are playing aceplle music, and how come its playing on the highest frequency?!!

  2. If you start looking through the poskim you will find an opnion for evry possible position on the issue. Some say any recorded music is fine ( just not during the 9 days) and some say everything is assur and many are in between.

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