Tzitz Eliezer: Learning To Play Musical Instruments
The Tzitz Eliezer (15:33) was asked if it was permissible for someone to send his daughter to learn to play a musical instrument, like is done by many prominent Talmidei Chachomim who send their daughters, in light of the Rambam, Shulchan Aruch, Shela, and Bach who all hold it is assur to play musical instruments for Simcha, contrary to the opinion of the Rema?
First of all says the Tzitz Eliezer, do not even question those who do so because they rely on the Rema who holds that it is only assur for people to whom music is a part of their daily routine, like Kings who wake up and go to sleep with music. Even though the Rema is a Daas Yachid, Rav Moshe Chagiz in Halachos Ketanos writes that if we see the whole world relying on a Daas Yachid we can know with certainty that his psak is well grounded. Hashem, in his love for Klal Yisroel, would not allow a wrong single opinion to cause a stumbling block among his beloved nation.
Furthermore, the Chasam Sofer quotes his father-in-law Rebbi Akiva Eiger as saying, that Toras Moshe (Rema) is an inheritance for us and we must not sway from it to be more lenient or even more stringent.
Moreover, even the Shulchan Aruch only assurs to play for Simcha, enjoyment. To learn to play professionally to earn a livelihood is not part of the issur. The Tzitz Eliezer brings from Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin who says that an Aveil can play professionally since he is busy earning a living and not enjoying music. Similarly he brings the Pri Megadim who says that it is permissible to play for non-Jews during the three weeks.
Therefore he concludes that the actual learning to play is not Simcha. Afterward her skills may be used to play professionally or for Simchos Shel Mitzva.
Important Note: We bring this tshuvah as a starting point for discussion and not to convey any halacha. We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. One should learn the tshuva to verify the accuracy of our interpretation. Please understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
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