Emotional Music in the Year of Mourning
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Question
Is it permissible for a mourner within the year of a father's passing to listen to emotional music that strengthens him in Torah and reverence for Heaven and does not bring joy?
Answer
There is no need to object to one who is lenient in this matter.
Source
In the Gemara in Ketubot, page 46b, Rabbi Yehuda's opinion is explained that even a poor person in Israel should not have fewer than two flutes and a lamenting woman when his wife dies. Similarly, the Shulchan Aruch in Even HaEzer, Siman 389, Section 1 rules: "When his wife dies, and if it is customary to eulogize with flutes, there should not be fewer than two flutes and lamenting women, even for a poor person in Israel." Although one might differentiate that flutes are for mourning purposes and are part of the sadness, which is permitted, emotional songs that do not mention the deceased are not found to be permitted. Nevertheless, since the source of the prohibition of music stems from the prohibition of joy for a mourner, as explained in Maharam Shik, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 368, if it does not lead to joy, it is permitted.
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