Music Use During Safirah: Smartboard, at the gym and AI generated

Hi, I am a teacher and I use a Smartboard in my lessons to explain various concepts. I can write, draw, move objects, open files, play videos, and even browse the internet directly from the board. Here's my question: Sometimes, the videos I show include background music, would it be permitted to show such videos during the Sefirat HaOmer period? Also, I have not been able to find any source in the Shulchan Aruch or the Mishnah Berurah prohibiting listening to music during Sefirat Haomer. Could you please write me the source for this prohibition?

Thank you for your question.

The answer: It is permitted.

The answer explained:

Source of the prohibition of listening to music during the Sefirat HaOmer:

As we know, one may not listen to music during the Sefirat HaOmer. The source of this halacha is not written explicitly in the Shulchan Aruch, but rather it is derived by the Poskim from a Halacha that is brought in the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 493:3 , were it is brought that the custom is not to get married during the Sefirat HaOmer until Lag BaOmer, since it is a time of mourning because of the death of Rabbi Akiva’s students, who died during this period:

שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות פסח סימן תצג סעיף א
נוהגים שלא לישא אשה בין פסח לעצרת עד ל"ג לעומר, מפני שבאותו זמן מתו תלמידי רבי עקיבא ;

The Mishnah Berurah (seif 3) says that not only is it prohibited to make a wedding during this period, but it is also prohibited to celebrate and dance. Here is the quote:

משנה ברורה על שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות פסח סימן תצג סעיף א
אבל לעשות ריקודין ומחולות נהגו איסור וכ"ש בשאר ריקודין ומחולות של רשות בודאי יש ליזהר .

The Aruch HaShulchan (ad loc..) says that listening to music would be even more stringent than dancing, so if the halacha is that it is prohibited to dance, then of course it would be prohibited to listen to music.

ערוך השולחן אורח חיים סימן תצג

ומותר לעשות סעודה אך לא בריקודין ומחולות וכ"ש שאסור לזמר בכלי זמר

This is the source that listening to music during the Sefirah is forbidden.

In practice…

Not only is live music prohibited as mentioned above, the Poskim write that even recorded music would be the same halacha since this is also considered as listening to music. The same would be with music generated by AI, since it is music that is being played and is therefore forbidden.

Listening to a cappella

Even listening to a cappella, one should be stringent and not listen to it during the Sefirat Haomer, since listening to such a recording is called a ‘kley shir’ since this is the way one listens to music. Nevertheless, one sees someone listening to a cappella one doesn’t need to stop him.

Music as an accompaniment to a video or a lesson

Hagaon Harav Amram Fried, shelita, says that music that is being played as an accompaniment to a video would be permitted, since the main part is the story, not the music.

Similarly, a teacher who, let’s say, teaches letters to children in a way of song would also be permitted to do so during the Sefirat HaOmer for the same reason.

Music lessons during the Sefrat HaOmer

Someone who is already learning music and wants to continue during the Sefirat HaOmer would be permitted to continue. The reasons are:

1. Since it is not music that one plays for enjoyment, but rather he is learning the notes, it is not the type of music that brings joy.
2. If he were to stop, he might forget what he has already learned until now and would have to start all over again.

Because of these two reasons, one does not have to stop music lessons during the Sefirah.

However, this is only permitted if he is still at the stage of learning the musical notes, etc. If he is more advanced and is playing proper musical pieces or songs, then it would be better to pause the lessons during the Sefirat HaOmer.

Music during a workout in the gym

Someone who's working out at the gym for health reasons and needs the music to keep him going would be permitted to listen to music during the workout.

Wishing you much success.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 493:1