Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Satmar Rebbe: Children should not be sent for music lessons

The Satmar Rebbe at his yearly gathering (כ"א כסלו) announced to the Chasidim that children should not be sent for music lessons. He also prohibited any kinds of videos at public events such as dinners.

The music ban is very surprising as music has always been considered a worthy endeavor and in fact the Leviim played musical instruments in the Beis Hamikdash.

The question we can ask is what is left for Satmar children to do? For some kids music is a lifeline. Some people are blessed with musical talent (I am not). Why would Hashem give a person musical talents if he isn't supposed to use them?

Source: הרבי אמר: אסור לילדים ללמוד נגינה

3 comments:

Caren May said...

Does the Satmar Rav have a spokesperson or a PR individual that explains his doctrines? or its WE WILL DO & WE WILL LISTEN.

Larry Lennhoff said...

Why would Hashem give a person musical talents if he isn't supposed to use them?

From the charedi perspective obviously they are given these talents as a test, just as Hashem makes people kleptomaniacs or gives them other forbidden urges. I see no reason that this reasoning can't be extended to any talent other than that of learning torah.

pc said...

What was the reason given not to teach music?

Presumably he didn't just say it without rhyme (pun) or reason?

It is worthwhile pointing out that whatever the Satmar Rebbe says is for his chassidim, not for the whole of klal yisroel, i.e. he thinks this is the correct thing for his chassidim

Therefore this is not an 'issue' per se.

pc :-)