Music During the Three Weeks of Mourning

מַתְנִי׳ מִשֶּׁבָּטְלָה סַנְהֶדְרִין — בָּטַל הַשִּׁיר מִבֵּית הַמִּשְׁתָּאוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בַּשִּׁיר לֹא יִשְׁתּוּ יָיִן וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַב: אוּדְנָא דְּשָׁמְעָא זִמְרָא — תִּעֲקַר. אָמַר רָבָא: זִמְרָא בְּבֵיתָא — חוּרְבָּא בְּסִיפָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״קוֹל יְשׁוֹרֵר בַּחַלּוֹן חֹרֶב בַּסַּף כִּי אַרְזָה עֵרָה״. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: זִמְרָא דְּנַגָּדֵי וּדְבַקָּרֵי — שְׁרֵי. דְּגַרְדָּאֵי — אֲסִיר. רַב הוּנָא בַּטֵּיל זִמְרָא, קָם מְאָה אֲווֹזֵי בְּזוּזָא וּמְאָה סָאֵה חִיטֵּי בְּזוּזָא וְלָא אִיבְּעִי. אֲתָא רַב חִסְדָּא זַלְזֵיל בֵּיהּ, אִיבְּעַאי אֲווֹזָא בְּזוּזָא וְלָא אִשְׁתְּכַח.

MISHNA: This mishna continues with the list of items that were nullified. From the time when the Sanhedrin ceased song was also nullified from the places of feasts, i.e., it was no longer permitted to sing at a feast where wine was served, as it is stated: “With song they shall not drink wine” (Isaiah 24:9). Rav said: The ear that hears song should be uprooted, as it is prohibited to listen to music after the destruction of the Temple. Rava said: If there is song in a house there will be destruction on the threshold, as it is stated: “Voices shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the doorposts; for its cedar work shall be uncovered” (Zephaniah 2:14). The word “uncovered” [era] could be read to mean: Its city [ira]. Rav Huna said: The song of those who pull ships and lead the herd is permitted, for their singing assists them to establish a rhythm in their work. However, that of weavers is forbidden, as they sing only for their own enjoyment. The Gemara relates that subsequently, Rav Huna nullified all types of song, and this led to a general blessing: The price of one hundred ducks stood at a dinar, and one hundred se’a of wheat at a dinar, and there was no desire for them even at such a cheap price, due to their great abundance. Later, when Rav Ḥisda came and belittled this prohibition, people began to sing again. As a result, prices increased greatly, and this led to a situation whereby one wanted a single duck for one dinar and it could not be found.