MB 338.2 - Can There Be Music on Shabbos? Weddings, Non-Jews

This episode explores the halachic background of playing music on Shabbos, focusing on the original rabbinic decree against music due to concern over repairing instruments. We examine a historical leniency that allowed asking a non-Jew to play (and even repair) instruments for the sake of bringing joy to a bride and groom, based on the concept of a double rabbinic prohibition for a mitzvah. The Mishnah Berurah surveys dissenting opinions, limits of that leniency, and contrasts weddings with other celebrations. The episode concludes with the clear ruling of later authorities that this practice has been fully discontinued, and that today there is no basis to permit instrumental music on Shabbos—even via non-Jews—reflecting the universally accepted custom.