Acapella CDs During Sefiras HaOmer

Q. Is it permissible to listen to an acapella music CD during sefira?

A. Rav Belsky, zt’l was of the opinion that there is no difference between a professionally recorded acapella CD that sounds like music and a regular CD with musical instruments. Both provide enjoyment of listening to music and acapella CDs would fall under the same category of restricted music during Sefiras HaOmer. This applies even if the music is slow tempo. (Shulchan HaLevi pp. 134-135)

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.