Playing and Listening to Music During the Three Weeks

Are there any situations where one can play or listen to music during the Three Weeks?

Dancing, playing musical instruments and listening to music are prohibited during the Three Weeks (Mishna Berura OC 551:16). As such, one may not attend concerts, operas and musicals, or listen to recordings of music. However, situations where the musical entertainment is incidental such as sport events, the background music does not pose a problem until Rosh Chodesh Av (Moadei Yeshurun, p. 128:6, in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l). Likewise, one may perform aerobic exercises while listening to music until Rosh Chodesh Av (Kuntras Aninus V’Aveilus Shel Churban, p. 42:5) because the music facilitates the exercise and is not played for enjoyment.

A musician who earns his living by playing for non-Jews, may play musical instruments professionally for non-Jews until Rosh Chodesh Av (Bi’ur Halacha 551 d.h. Mima’atin). On 17 Tammuz itself, however, it is prohibited (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:1). Similarly, She’arim HaMitzuyonim B’halacha (122:2) writes that one who is learning to play an instrument may practice until Rosh Chodesh Av. Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l was more lenient and permitted practicing a musical instrument even after Rosh Chodesh Av, preferably in a secluded place (Moadei Yeshurun p. 128:7b and p. 151:19). This permit is only until Chatzos on Erev Tisha B’Av (Orchos Chaim 552:10).

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.