Ask the Rabbi
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Three Weeks
- General Questions
Question
I heard a few opinions about listening to music during the three weeks.
Can you please tell me what is the common Halacha?
Is there a difference between "chasidish" songs or other music?
Thanks!
Answer
Shalom,
Thank you for your question. As it has been answered on our site previously, let me first refer you to that question & answer written by Rabbi David Samson :-
Music during the 3 weeks
Also, you will certainly benefit from the wonderful article on all the laws of the Three Weeks by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, which can be found on our site here :-
Customs of the Three Weeks
As you can see from the Rabbis answers there are various opinions on this question. Many Rabbis forbid all music, both live and recorded. Some allow only vocal music, while others forbid even that. Some allow slow music, of the type that that does not lend itself to dancing. Others allow only sad music that is line with the mourning of these days. And some Rabbis make distinctions between before the month of Av and after, and before the week of the 9th of Av and after (see Rabbi Melamed's article).
So, with all this in mind, it is difficult for me to answer your question "what is the common halacha?" If you do not have a Rabbi or community with a clear practice, I would suggest following one of the opinions that will cause you to feel these days as days of mourning, without causing undue hardship.
Blessings.

Arranging eyebrows during Three Weeks
Various Rabbis | 11 Tamuz 5767

The Fast of 17th of Tamuz - Why?
Rabbi David Samson | 20 Tammuz 5763

A pregnant woman on the 17th of Tammuz
Various Rabbis | Tammuz 17, 5768






