The 3 Weeks & Music as "Medicine"

[Cliksder]

As we saw in the other thread, we are all familiar with the "no music" rule for the 3 weeks.

What about people who in some form rely on music though? Music therapy comes to mind. Some people have a wake-up song they play every morning. Now, most people can skip that for 3 weeks. But people with mental health problems might rely on music e.g. during mediation to be focused. Or, there are depressed people who will feel better after playing their favorite song.

Or, on a very mundane level, what about children who insist you play their favorite song to soothe them before they can go to sleep and get VERY anxious if you don't.

I am especially interested if there are special rules for those who rely on music for a real medical (psychological) reason.

[Pruzhany]

It's not a "no music" custom, it's a "no music for enjoyment" custom created by Ashkenazim.

[theflipflop]

I've heard this very shaila (halachic question posed to a competent Orthodox rabbi), and he poskined (halachically ruled) that listening to music during the 3 weeks is putter (halachically permissible) for someone suffering from depression where music helps "medicate."

But that only makes it permissible for that one individual. Every Yid wanting the same result would need to ask a shaila of a competent Orthodox Rabbi. Otherwise, even in that very same situation, it is forbidden.

[Cliksder]

Originally Posted by theflipflop

I've heard this very shaila (halachic question posed to a competent Orthodox rabbi), and he poskined (halachically ruled) that listening to music during the 3 weeks is putter (halachically permissible) for someone suffering from depression where music helps "medicate."

But that only makes it permissible for that one individual. Every Yid wanting the same result would need to ask a shaila of a competent Orthodox Rabbi. Otherwise, even in that very same situation, it is forbidden.

Interesting. Thank you.

Not everybody has an (Orthodox) rabbi around or cares to ask him, but I was just wondering if there ever was such a ruling that it is allowed anyhow.

[Curiousjew]

As I understood it from my teachers, the prohibition is on live music where there are several people - such as at a celebration - so a professional musician would be permitted to practise, and a tape-recording for one's child would be ok - although I'm sure many people would choose to be stricter.