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I know that one is not allowed to listen to live music during the 3 weeks.

My question is if Standup comedy is not allowed as well?

msh210
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shachna
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    The music restriction for Ashk'nazim (whatever it is) is on the three weeks, AFAIK, not only the nine days. But CYLOR of course for a ruling. – msh210 Jul 08 '12 at 19:17
  • Why the downvote? – Hacham Gabriel Jul 08 '12 at 20:03
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    @msh210, true, but the question can still apply to schachna's case. Perhaps the 3 weeks are limited to specific restrictions based on custom. Whereas during the 9 days there is a general idea of mema'atin b'simcha. – YDK Jul 08 '12 at 20:05
  • @HachamGabriel, just a guess, but perhaps someone did not like the emphasis on the word "live" since that point is debated. – YDK Jul 08 '12 at 20:07
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    +1. I suspect that the OP only emphasized the live part, since that's the less controversial point. Ironic, that. – HodofHod Jul 08 '12 at 20:14
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    Is there some reason משנכנס אב ממעטין בשמחה is not the correct answer to this question? – Double AA Jul 08 '12 at 20:49
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    @DoubleAA Because the first two weeks of Bein HaMetzarim are Tamuz. – b a Jul 08 '12 at 22:46
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    I doubt you'd find anyone saying this is explicitly forbidden according to the letter of the law (at least, with regards to the laws of the 3 weeks). Probably goes against the spirit of the law, but that's a different discussion altogether. – Salmononius2 Aug 05 '19 at 01:51

1 Answers1

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1) No

R' Shlomo Aviner takes a strict approach and writes unequivocally that the answer is no (#17 from the top).

סטנדאפ בבין המצרים ש: מותר ללכת למופע סטנדאפ?

Standup during the 3 weeks: Q: Is one allowed to go to a standup show?

ת: ודאי אסור. אסור כל השנה בגלל מושב ליצים. ע"ז יח ב. קל וחומר בין המצרים

A: Definitely forbidden. [Going to a standup show is] forbidden year round because it falls under the category of "sitting with the scornful" (Avodah Zarah 18b). All the more so during the 3 weeks.

2) No... but maybe there are a couple of exceptions

In a (Hebrew) kipa.co.il article titled "סטנדאפ בבין המצרים" - "Standup During the 3 Weeks,
R' Uziel Eliyahu writes: (translation mine)

"When Av arrives we lessen our happiness" therefore one would not be allowed to go to a standup show during the 9 days.

R' Eliyahu also notes at the end:

It's obviously preferable to postpone this until after the 3 weeks.

However in the middle part of his answer, R' Eliyahu writes:

During the 3 weeks (before Rosh Chodesh Av) one should also avoid going to a show like this. However, if a summer camp for children or a pre-arranged program or there is a special reason-- like a person who's in a state of depression or loneliness-- [said person] is certainly allowed to go to the show and this could even be a big mitzvah!!! Furthermore, if the choice is between going to this show or getting bored and the boredom leading to sinning in other ways it's certainly preferable for such a person to go to this show.

Sometimes from going to a show like this a person leaves it with chizuk since the laughter removes a person from his condition and can greatly elevates his Avodas Hashem.

So to sum up:

R' Aviner is a hard no, and even according to R' Eliyahu of kipa.co.il in order for an allowance to be made it would really have to be an extenuating circumstance.

I think it's also safe to say that this question was asked re: Kosher standup, as non-Kosher standup is prohibited year round.

To be safe, should CYLOR.

alicht
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