Music Therapy During Sefiras HaOmer: Is It Permitted?
Question
Am I allowed to play music during Sefiras HaOmer for music therapy? I need it very much as part of my therapy, and I would like to know if I may continue even during Sefiras HaOmer.
Answer
The Answer:
It is permitted.
The Answer Explained in Depth:
In order to understand why it is permitted, it is important to first learn the source of the prohibition of listening to music during Sefiras HaOmer.
When is it permitted?
The prohibition of listening to music during Sefiras HaOmer is because dancing and joyful celebrations are forbidden during the Sefirah.
However, when the music is for healing or therapeutic purposes, it is not included in this prohibition.
Similarly, if a person finds himself in a low or depressed mood and needs music to help uplift him, he is also permitted to listen to music.
Why is it permitted?
HaGaon HaRav Amrom Fried shlit”a explains that the prohibition of listening to music is based on the Shulchan Aruch (Siman תצ"ג סעיף א), where it states that we have a custom not to get married between Pesach and Shavuos because the students of Rabbi Akiva passed away during that time.
The Magen Avraham (שם ס"ק א) adds that from here we learn that the custom also includes dancing and celebrations.
This is brought as well in the Mishnah Berurah (ס"ק ג).
This is a quote from the Mishneh Berurah;
משנה ברורה סימן תצג ס"ק ג
מ"מ מותר לעשות שידוכין ולעשות סעודה אבל לעשות ריקודין ומחולות נהגו איסור וכ"ש בשאר ריקודין ומחולות של רשות בודאי יש ליזהר:
However, it is permitted to make shidduchim and to make a seudah. But to do rikudim and mecholos, the custom is to be stringent and not allow it. And all the more so, other types of dancing and celebrations that are not of a Mitsvah, one must definitely be careful to avoid.
The Aruch HaShulchan adds that playing musical instruments is even more stringent than dancing, this is actually the source to not listening to music during the Sefirat HaOmer.
This is a quote from the Aruch HaShulchan;
ערוך השולחן אורח חיים סימן תצג
ומותר לעשות סעודה אך לא בריקודין ומחולות וכ"ש שאסור לזמר בכלי זמר
It is permitted to make a seudah, but not with rikudim and mecholos. And all the more so, it is forbidden to have music with instruments.
So we see from this that the entire basis of the prohibition is related to simcha, joy, and celebration.
Therefore, when the purpose of the music is not for simcha, but for another need, such as therapy, it is not included in the prohibition.
The same applies in other cases as well. For example, if someone is giving a presentation and there is background music accompanying it, since the main purpose is not the music itself but rather the content, it is permitted. Similarly, it is permitted for teachers to use music as an accompaniment when they want to teach a specific subject, for example, the letters of the alphabet, etc.
What happens if it is a seudat mitzvah?
If it is for a seudas mitzvah, for example, a bar mitzvah, bris milah, pidyon haben, etc., one should refrain from having live music.
However, it is permitted to have recorded music during the seudas mitzvah if that is the way he would normally celebrate such events during the year.
However, many Bnei Sepharad are lenient and allow live music at a seudas mitzvah, as long as this is the way that he generally celebrates such an event.
Seudat Mitsvah After Lag BaOmer:
However, on the days after Lag BaOmer, one may be lenient and have live music at a seudas mitzvah, even for those who keep the aveilus of Sefiras HaOmer even after Lag BaOmer.
There is a lengthy explanation from Moreinu HaGaon Rav Amrom Fried shlit”a in Azamroh Lishmecha, Issue 283, explaining this halacha.
Wishing you well.
Source
- Shulchan Aruch – Orach Chaim, Siman 493:1
- Magen Avraham – Siman 493, Se’if Katan 1
- Mishnah Berurah – Siman 493, Se’if Katan 3
- Aruch HaShulchan – Orach Chaim, Siman 493
- Azamroh Lishmecha – Issue 283 (HaGaon Rav Amrom Fried shlit”a)
