Parshas Balak 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Monetary, Interpersonal Laws and Din Torah (38)
Cars and Automobiles (cont.): We have been discussing halachos relevant to cars and traveling. Since the ימי המצרים are approaching, it is very appropriate to mention certain halachos relevant to this time-period that pertain to traveling.
The Three Weeks: Music. We do not listen to music during this 3-week mourning period. A person is permitted to listen to music when he has no intention to derive pleasure or joy from it. Therefore, listening to music is permitted in the following cases:
While in a waiting room where music can be heard.
To help a person’s emotional health by relieving anxiety.
To help one exercise when doing so for health purposes. Regarding our topic we can add two more cases.
To stay awake and alert while driving.
To keep the children settled while driving. The adults should not consciously intend to listen for enjoyment.
Safety. One must be extra careful to refrain from even slightly dangerous activities during the entire three week period. Therefore, one should be sure to drive in a way that is safe, as well as drive at times that are safe to drive. Accordingly, the case we mentioned previously about listening to music in order to stay awake and alert while driving, is only for extra alertness. However, if a person really requires music to stay alert, then it is clear he should not be driving at all - all year-round - and especially during the Three Weeks.
The Nine Days. The previous halachos are regarding the entire period of the three weeks. There are some things to point out regarding the final nine days, from Rosh Chodesh Av until after Tisha B’Av. It is permitted to get a car wash during this period, because the only issue mentioned in halacha that is assur, is laundering clothing. However, to shampoo the carpet of a car is considered similar to laundering and is thus forbidden.
Tisha B’Av. Due to the halachos of mourning, we do not sit on proper chairs till Halachic midday - chatzos. However, if a person needs to travel before chatzos, he may sit on the car seat, since that is the only normal way to travel.