A Cappella Music During Sefiras Haomer

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

A. Rav Belsky, zt’l was of the opinion that there is no difference between a professionally recorded a cappella CD that sounds like music and a regular CD with musical instruments. Both provide enjoyment of listening to music and a cappella 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.