To list a few very significant factors for why this issue is about more than just a ‘chill’:
1) Many Yidden get a great hisorerus from this song, and its not just another nice tune–the words carry a unique message that is not stressed a lot elsewhere: the profound idea of connecting to Hashem through His beriah, not just on an intellectual/left-brain level but “be’ruchi ve’nishmasi”–on a soulful/right-brained level. Perhaps not everyone out there relates to this concept so much, and some are quick to relegate this to the bin of avodah zara notions, but many neshamos genuinely connect to the Kevod Hashem that fills kol ha’aretz. The song in question powerfully brings out this experience for many such people, and to rob them of this–when there are indeed legitimate arguments to serve as a basis for this minhag Yisrael, as explained clearly in my postings above–would be would be a terrible loss and shame.
2) On the negative side–there are real consequences of causing machlokes and pain to many different people involved here, from the producers and singers, to those who really enjoy it and those who requested that it be sung by their simchos (and again, there are legitimate arguments to validate this minhag, so as not to require that we make a machlokes out of it).
3) When it comes to ‘being too machmir’ in general and this case included–one of the big things that turn kids (and adults) off of Yiddishkeit is that they perceive it to be overly restrictive and harsh in an imbalanced way. We need to SHOW them that a life of Torah and Mitzvos is not at all dark and primitive, simplistic shallow and narrow-minded, etc, but rather deeply profound, broad-minded and empowering, embracing the truth and beauty of life in its FULL entirety. By simply leaving things as ‘lets just be machmir with it’ we are adding fuel to their fire and indeed making our Torah-lifestyle less balanced and broad-minded than our Maker wants it to be. We should be strict when that is really called for, and permissive when that is really called for; spiritually oriented and halachically G-d fearing; looking for all the practical, emotional and psychological factors at hand in every situation. With this ideal of ‘balancing-both’ at the forefront of our focus, we will bring ourselves the full enrichment that Torah-life has to offer, and our children and neighbors will see and wish to take part.
As Shlomo Hamelech summed up: “lakol zeman, ve’es lechol chefetz tachas ha’shamayim–there is a time for everything, and a moment for every drive under the heavens”.
{I humbly request that whoever reads this last point do so carefully and patiently. Although it’s not too complicated or deep, it contains profound wisdom, and yet it is not in line with the way many people naturally think. This matter of embracing complexity and balancing opposing ideals is not the most common trait. Not surprising that it is rooted in the words of the wisest of all kings and men.
Forgive me if it sounds at all like I’m preaching here, I just feel very strongly about this matter.}
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