Thursday 17 March 2011

Say what?

The first perek of Megila Esther tells us about the lavish party that Achashveirosh held. It describes in great detail the wealth, the vessels and the abundance of food available for every attendee. The party was suited to each guest's specific tastes.
The Manos Levi brings down an argument among Rishonim over whether the party had music or not. One reason they might not have had music is because with all the other senses, a person has the option of tuning out; but when it comes to live music, your ears would pick up the sound whether you wanted to hear it or not. Since it could not be separated according to each guest's personal preferences and desires, it must not have been there.
Some explain that the absence of music was as a result of the Yehudim having been invited to the parties. Since it was during the time between the first and second Bais HaMikdash, the Yehudim would not have attended had there been music. To ensure the Jews' participation, there was no music scheduled at the party.
Some say that music may be nice to hear, but that it takes concentration away from the "taste" process. Since it opposes the sense of taste, Achashveirosh chose not to have any at his party.
http://www.revach.net/moadim/megilas-esther/At-Achashveirosh039s-Party-Who-Turned-Down-The-Music/1936

Two weeks ago Hamodia published an article titled When the music is just too loud by Dr. Pesach Goodley, M.D. The doctor starts off by noting the following.
A chasunah should be an occasion of pure joy. It should not be injurious! Yet it often is because the music is pathologically loud.
He suggests various solutions to the problem.
There must be a commitment in our community to bring an end to the scourge of deafening music.
...Every time you are invited to a chasunah, call the baalei simchah with your mazal tov and add that unless there is assurance that the sound level will be maintained at safe levels, you cannot attend.
What an interesting idea. Dare we implement it?

No comments:

Post a Comment