Zecher LaChurban

In the first Seif, the Mechaber says that one should not build himself a home like the kings (and many Achronim including the Chasam Sofer apply this in building new homes in general – I will elaborate later on IY”H). The Mechaber says that one should leave an Amoh over an Amoh unpainted. This perfect square (look in Pri Megadim and Shaarei Teshuva) should be across from the main entrance to the home (there is a dispute; with some saying all rooms need it) so you see it upon entering. There are some that say that it should be done over the door (Minhagei Chasam Sofer) and the Mishne Berura defends this view. The Mishne Berura also defends those who don’t do it (among other Achronim), however most reasons cited do not apply nowadays. Someone that rents and the landlord objects to him peeling the paint, does not have the right to do it against his will.

There are many who put paintings of the Kosel or Yerushalayim and the Mishne Berura says one should not protest (Igros Moshe, Chelek Gimel Siman Pey Vav). However, many (including the Shlah, Pri Megadim, and Kaf Hachaim) say it defeats the purpose.

Let’s hear what you have to say on this Halacha.

Right on, Derech Hamelech. Sorry for not explaining it better, topic is about Zecher LaChurban after all.

Just another few aspects and interesting things on this Halacha.

The Yaavetz in Sheilas Yaavetz (169), discusses this Halacha and states that one is obligated to leave the square even in a one-room home (that is livable, unlike a barn etc.). According to this, a garage or storage room also needs an Amoh al Amoh. The Chazon Ish however, argues and says it is exempt.

There is a discussion whether a Sukkah is Mechuyav in a Zecher. The Kaf HaChaim cites a Sefer Tosfos Chaim (on the Chayei Adam 137;2) that says that just like a Beis Midrash (according to most Poskim) is exempt, so too is a Sukkah that isn’t used throughout the year.

The Michle D’Asvasa, (a grandson of the Tosafos Yom Tov) says (37) that one should cover the square on Shabbos (he brings down other references that show not to mourn on Shabbos). However in Maharam Brisk (2;8) he contends that this isn’t mourning on Shabbos (Bkum V’Aseh) and one shouldn’t cover it. (He cites the saying of Shir Hamaalos).

Although most Poskim say that this Halacha is applicable for all types of wall decorations, the Aderes is lenient when the walls are covered with wallpaper (saying that it is only paint mentioned in the Gemarah).

In Sief Beis (2), the Mechaber says that at meals (rather feasts and dinners) one should be reminiscent to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash by leaving over some space on the table and omitting a course (that is visible). The Taz adds that the Din is the same at a Seudas Mitzvah, such as a Bris and wedding). The Mor Uktzua however, states that on Shabbos and Yom Tov nothing should be missing (Magen Avraham). The Levush (as understood by the Mishne Berurah) claims that leaving a space on the table is unnecessary.

The Mechaber continues in Seif Beis: A woman should not wear all of her jewelry at once. [There are some who learn that a part should be missing from the actual piece(s)]. On this too the Chayei Adam wonders why people are lenient. One can debate whether it is permissible to wear all weekday jewelry at once while not wearing Shabbos/special-occasion jewelry or vice-versa.

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I believe it’ll have to wait (maybe tomorrow afternoon). However, I’d like to hear from others more about these Halachos, whether you once read something about it (in Seforim etc.) or heard a Shiur or Psak.

Sof Davar,

The Gemara (Gittin 7a) forbids music for pleasure.

There’s a dispute, however, in the Poskim whether it implies to singing as well as music or it pertains to music only. Rav Moshe Feinstein Zt”l (Igros Moshe, Orach Chaim 1:161) maintains that singing itself is not problematic halachically; yet, he does advise G-D fearing Jews to refrain from singing.

From YWN Archives:

Al Naros Bavel

As a remembrance of the churban the poskim write that one should recite al naros bavel before bentching during the week, on days that tachnun is recited. The reason for saying this tefilla is to worry about the churban each seuda that one washes. The minhag seems to be that people are careful to say al naros bavel during the nine days, but do not say it the rest of the year. It is unclear what the basis for this custom is.

Amah by Amah

Where to Place the Amah by Amah

Each Room

What to do?

One who puts up wallpaper (and does not paint) is also obligated to leave a part of the wall unfinished.

Buying a House from a Goy

Bought from a Yid

Investment Property

One is not required to make an amah by amah in a house which is purchased for investment purposes.

Shul / Bais Medrash

Yeshiva

Yerushalayim

Bungalow/ Summer Home

Wedding Hall

Wedding

Ashes on the Forehead

Breaking a Glass under the Chupah

Crowns

Wearing Less Jewelry

Less of a Meal

Practicing a Musical Instrument

One is permitted to listen to music for the sake of learning a trade.

For Children

One is permitted to sing a song to help a child go to sleep because we rely on the opinion that singing is only forbidden if accompanied with wine (without food). However, one should not sing songs which are not proper for the children (such as certain lullabies).

Recorded Music

There is a discussion in the poskim if the issur applies only to live music or also recorded music. Some poskim maintain since recorded music was not around when chazal made the issur it was not included. Many argue with this premise. Others say if one records his voice it is considered vocal music and if one records musical instruments it is viewed as instrumental music. Those who are lenient in regard to recorded music are also lenient as far as music on the radio. According to all opinions one is permitted to listen to the music that emits from his cell phone when receiving a call.

Listening to Tapes of Jewish Music

Today the custom is to be lenient and listen to music for the following reasons: 1. Musical instruments are only forbidden if accompanied by wine. 2. One who is down and out may use the music to lift his spirits. 3. Perhaps the issur never applied to recorded music. 4. Many say the issur only applies to listening on a constant basis.

Driving a Car

One who is driving a car may listen to music (even for long periods of time) if one is doing so to stay awake while driving.

Weddings and Seudas Mitzvah

The Music Ban in Yerushalayim

In 1865 a general ban was issued in Yerushalayim against playing music at weddings, and only one instrument was permitted to play. Many poskim discuss if recorded music or electric synthesizers may be used at a wedding in Yerushalayim. The consensus is to be stringent. A chosson and kallah who live outside Yerushalayim and have their wedding in Yerushalayim should not be lenient and have a band without asking a sheilah first. The ban seems to apply to all of Yerushalayim.

Singing Praises of Hashem

One who sings songs of praise to Hashem is permitted to play a musical instrument while doing so and the above discussion would not apply. This is permitted even with wine, and even on a regular basis.

Pesukim as Lyrics

The Gemorah in Sanhedrin says one is not allowed to use words of Shir Hashirim for a song. Rashi explains that this issur applies to all pesukim. The reason is because using the words of the Torah for his own enjoyement is a lack of proper kedusha. One who wishes to praise Hashem may sing the lyrics of the Torah. A posuk that is a nusach of davening may be sung by adding a tune to it. However, singing a certain posuk because you like the niggun is forbidden.

The Magen Avraham says when singing songs on Shabbos one should only sing songs which were composed esepcially for seudas Shabbos (and not other words of chazal). However, many poskim say the Magen Avraham only forbids other songs if they will be sung in a frivolous manner, and if they are used to praise Hashem then singing them is permitted.

Non-Jewish Music

Many non-Jewish songs have lyrics which are forbidden to listen to, since many of these songs (even those without lyrics) have the ability to bring one to lewdness. Other songs are wild and can cause one to act in a manner that is improper for a Jewish person. There is a discussion in the poskim if one can take a non-Jewish tune and sing Jewish words to it.

There are many types of classical music. Each situation is different and has to be judged on its own level if it has the din of non-Jewish music or not.

Today there are hundreds of Jewish CD and tapes on the market and one can easily avoid any questions of listening to non-Jewish music.

Afterthought

In the zechus of keeping these halachos as a remembrance of the churban bais hamikdosh may we be zocheh that Hashem will send us out of gulus so we can see the building of the third bais hamikdosh speedily in our days.