GENERAL: Music

[Kollel Iyun Hadaf]

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GENERAL: Music

Nechemyah D asked:

I have been having issues with what kind of music is ok and what kinds are not. 
I am a convert to Judaism and I was not raised listening to Jewish music, and I 
am still not that good at Hebrew. What have the Rabbis said about music of 
Nochrim?

This is very important to me. It is real hard on me. I really need help on 
this, so I am asking you guys at the Kollel and other Rabbis that I know on the 
topic.

Nechemyah D, Los Angeles, USA
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The Kollel replies*:

To my knowledge, there is no prohibition on listening to a certain piece of 
music simply because it was composed by a non-Jew (similar to the prohibitions 
of food cooked by a non-Jew or his wine, etc.)  There may be issues with 
listening to certain types of music, but not because of who composed the music, 
but because of the nature of the music.

Church music, for example, might be problematic. Rav Moshe Feinstein issued a 
ruling (YD II, #111) about music that was composed for idol worship. To listen 
to the music when it is actually being played at their service is forbidden 
under all circumstances because of the general prohibition of deriving pleasure 
from things associated with idol worship. If the music is being performed as a 
concert with no intent towards a religious service (presumably this would 
include all recordings) then, if it has words, it is forbidden, and, if it is 
only instrumental, it is permitted but not recommended. Presumably, this last 
statement about instrumental church music only applies if the listener 
recognizes it as such - for example, the tune of a famous holiday carol. It is 
only the association of the melody with something that is anathema to Judasim 
that is the problem (see Sefer Kaf Chayim of Rav Chayim Palaji, ch. 13). Much 
of the works of the great classical composers - Mozart, Beethoven, 
etc. - would fall outside of the scope of Rav Feinstein's ruling because they 
were not composed for religious service.

Popular secular music may also be problematic. The Shelah ha'Kadosh and other 
Ba'alei Mussar discourage people from singing and listening to what they refer 
to as Shirei Agavim - a term that comes from Yechezkel 33:32 and means, 
variously, love songs or frivilous songs (Radak) - and certainly songs with 
lewd and vulgar lyrics (see Sha'ar ha'Tziyun 560, #25).  This warning would 
apply to much of today's popular music.

I hope this is helpful.

Kol Tuv,
Yonasan Sigler

*This is not a Psak Halachah


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