Music for teaching Torah during Sefira
Question:
I have some beautiful songs that I play in my third-grade Kodesh class. They are usually about lessons that we learn the lives of the Avos.
Can I play the audio in class to teach the songs during Sefiras HaOmer? I do not know the songs well enough to teach without the audio track. Thanks!
Answer:
Though there are some authorities that permit music which does not induce feelings of Simcha, this would have to be judged if in your case it is indeed so.
Although children aren’t obligated in the laws of mourning, they should be trained as such, especially at this age. Certainly, the minhag is to be stringent even with kids.
Moreover, this would confuse the children who are aware that we don’t listen to music during this time and would have a hard time accepting the explanation that for educational purposes this is permissible. Accordingly, the “educational purpose“ one is trying to accomplish might actually be anti-educational and counterproductive. One should ask the question which is more educational: playing the music for educational purposes or refraining for music to educate them about the prohibition of music?
Nonetheless, there is room to be lenient if the songs are slow, being sung vocally and the music is in the background but totally insignificant.
See also here:
Is listening to Chabad Nigunim allowed during Sefira (with musical instruments)?
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