CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
77. Drums at a a Purim Service
QUESTION: May drums and other musical instruments be used at a Purim service with a specific instrumental setting, in order to create the noise necessary to drown out the name Haman; this would add a festive touch to the service? (Walter Finegold, Bloomington IN)ANSWER: Let us begin by looking at the Orthodox rejection of instrumental in the synagogue. Generally this objection has been connected with mourning for the destruction of the Temple, and so instrumental music is permitted only at weddings (Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 560.3). In addition, there is the prohibition against the use of music on shabbat or festival days partly because of the work involved, and partly because this would imitate non-Jewish customs (Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 338.1 ff; Eleh Divrei Haberit; David Hoffmann Melamed Lehoil 1.16). The latter opinions are part of a controversy about the use of the organ as an instrument in the synagogue. This represented one of the major disputes between the Reform and Orthodox community in the last century. Nogah Hatzedeq along with other lengthy essays in German, represent the Reform point of view (Samuel Krauss Zur Orgelfrage). This controversy is behind us; we do not observe the restriction against instrumental synagogue music or continue to mourn for the destruction of the Temple, so we must ask what kind of instrumental music is appropriate in the synagogue. The music should not imitate gentile music around us (Joel Sirkes Responsa #127). Of course, we should remember that music and musicians played a major role in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem (I Chron 15.16; II Chron 5.13; 2.76; Neh 12.35, etc). In addition, we have many musical notations in the Book of Psalms, although a large number of them are no longer understood. Some psalms dealt specifically with the musical instruments, as Psalms 149 and 150. The Purim Service has always been among the most relaxed of the entire year. The festival has had a carnival like atmosphere attached to it. Costumes were permitted (Judah Mintz Responsa #16; Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 696.8). In addition, noise accompanied the reading of the Megillah and objections were only raised when it became excessive and made it difficult to listen to the text. Greggars have been made available to children for several centuries. Some are beautifully ornamented and others very simple (Siehe der Stein Schreit aus der Mauer – Geschichte und Kultur der Juden in Bayern p 127 ff; Isaac Shachar Jewish Tradition in Art p 158 ff). None of these examples antedated the nineteenth century but they certainly existed earlier. Our collection here in Pittsburgh displays a fine brass greggar. The inclusion of musical instruments in the service for the reading of the Megillah when Haman is mentioned is appropriate. As the instruments will play a special flourish rather than just making noise this will add to the festivities.February 1988
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