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What are sources for it being allowed to listen to non-Jewish music and sources for it being prohibited?

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Extensive article here: ohrtorahstone.org.il/features/music_berman.htm –  SimchasTorah Feb 7 '11 at 6:13
Not a duplicate that is the performer Which I still don't understand how he got and this question is the Music –  SimchasTorah Feb 7 '11 at 6:15
BTW, composing secular songs and poetry is a long-standing Jewish tradition, dating back at least to Shmuel haNagid. See JewishEncyclopedia - Poetry and Hebrew Love Poetry for details. –  Shmuel Dec 4 '11 at 11:14
Which means that you might want to better define what "Jewish music" and "Non-Jewish music" is. I assumed it was all music that contained secular content and\or was non-Judaism-related. –  Shmuel Dec 4 '11 at 11:16

4 Answers 4

if I remember correctly, first of all music in general is forbidden because we are mourning for the bet a micdash. but we are lenient on music that are basically pesukim or praises to hahsem, specially in wedding and such.

maran in shulhan aruch posek and I think in ialcut iosef he simply says that today is different

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The English version of Yalkut Yosef on the Arba Ta'aniyot has an introduction explaining the hashkafah behind only listening to music that is of religious value. Unfortunately, I can't quote it because I don't own a copy. Maybe someone else can??? –  Chanoch Feb 23 '11 at 2:49
I have a copy, but it is some pages long, you sure you want me to copy everything? –  Avraham Mar 12 '11 at 20:21

Forget non-jewish music- the Shulchan Aruch prohibits hearing any music! However, there are Heterim to listen to music through recordings for sephardim. And ashkenazim have many heterim as well.

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See also:



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I have not confirmed these sources (yet). I highly recommend that you look up the originals instead of relying on my comments. –  Shmuel Dec 4 '11 at 11:07

See the Rashi on the Gemara !אחר מאי? זמר יווני לא פסק מפומיה in :חגיגה דף ט"ו that says that Acher (אלישע בן אבויה) went off the Derech because he was listening to Greek music - and he should have refrained because of [Aveilut on] the Churban.

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