Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz:
Lately, there’s been a trend of adding musical instruments to Hallel and Selichot. Should this innovation be welcomed or avoided?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds
During The Beit Hamikdash Days
We do find a precedent for using musical instruments in the service of Hashem (God). In the Beit Hamikdash (temple), the korbanot (offerings) were accompanied by uplifting songs and a sophisticated orchestra with the finest musical arrangements, performed by the Leviim (Levites). These songs would inspire the Kohanim (Priests) and those offering the korbanot to have the proper intentions and feelings appropriate for each korban, thereby enabling them to have the fullest effect.
After It’s Destruction
However, after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, musical instruments were no longer used in our davening (prayers). This was not due to a lack of instruments or skilled musicians; rather, it was because our ancestors deliberately chose not to use them. In such matters, we must uphold the practices of our ancestors and not deviate from their customs.
And there’s an obvious reason for this. Even if this practice were to be introduced with good intentions – to make the davening more inspiring, it is very easy for it to go wrong. The music during davening has to match the tone and purpose of the tefillah (prayers), something that is very hard to maintain. Once instruments are introduced, even if the music starts out with the proper tone, almost inevitably, popular tunes will creep in. And within a short time, more modern or jazzy styles that don’t fit what the moment calls for will be played, desecrating the place and time.
Getting Distracted
But even if we could ensure that only appropriate melodies would be used, it could still be problematic. It is very easy for people to become absorbed in the excitement of the entertaining orchestra, and instead of uplifting the prayers, it may become a distraction.
This is especially true for Selichot, a time when we seek Hashem’s forgiveness. During such prayers we must focus on genuine remorse and introspection, while feeling humility and a broken heart. If the music would become lively, which can certainly happen, these feelings will be lost. And even if the right melodies are used, the music itself can still take away from this internal focus.
Add-on or Take-away?
Even when it comes to Hallel, which should be recited joyfully and with song, musical accompaniment can detract from the proper mindset. The joy should be leading us to genuine gratitude and closeness to Hashem, and while musical instruments might help inspire these feelings, the performance can just as easily distract people. Instead of adding to the tefillah, it can take away from it. And, as mentioned, the music may shift from the proper tone, and lead us in the wrong direction.
In the Beit Hamikdash, this was not a concern. The Kohanim and Levi’im, led by the Kohen Gadol (high Priest) who would oversee all that went on, were zerizim, vigilant and careful, and they would ensure that every song would be elevating and inspiring, and that they remain focused on the proper inspiration. Since we are not on their level and cannot guarantee that the music will always be used properly, the practice of using instruments in tefillah was discontinued.
In Short:
Although musical instruments were played and used in the Beit Hamikdash (Temple), it was discontinued after the churban (destruction of the Temple). Because it was decided that it should be discontinued then, we must be faithful to our tradition and not play instruments now. Musical instruments can distract us, or drift into styles that disturb the spirit of tefillah (prayers), rather than elevate it.
Written by Rabbi Aaron Shapiro
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