Summary Table: [Rabbi Isaac Abarbanel Encourages uplifting spirit despite mourning Emphasizes spiritual resilience[
Rabbi / Source Position on Music in Mourning (Three Weeks/Tisha B’Av) Notes
Rambam Prohibition Music = joy, forbidden in mourning
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim) Prohibition Maintains somber atmosphere
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Stringent prohibition, few exceptions Very strict on avoidance of music
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Strong prohibition Against instrumental and recorded music
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Conditional leniency in special cases Allows soothing music for distress
Rabbi Isaac Abarbanel Encourages uplifting spirit despite mourning Emphasizes spiritual resilience
Modern Hasidic / Kabbalists Permissive with slow, meditative melodies Nigunim allowed to uplift spiritually
Various Contemporary Authorities Varied: from prohibition to conditional allowance Depends on context and purpose