Is it Appropriate for My Child to Learn Guitar

By Chaim Levy

In the letter presented below, part 3 in a series of newly released letters written by the Rebbe in English, we invite our readers to join us, yet again, as we continue to discover these hidden treasures and the invaluable insights they contain.

In the previous week, we followed the journey of an inquisitive young girl who wrote to the Rebbe in the hopes of trying to understand G-d, and that of an ambitious young man looking to author a book. In his responding letters, The Rebbe guided and advised them with timeless advice that remains as profound and relevant to us as they were to those youngsters years ago.

This week’s letter, although discussing the particular issue of music lessons for children, provides a truly profound and insightful piece of advice in the field of parenting, relevant to every parent wishing to properly raise their children in an upright and meaningful manner.

The letter is in response to a caring grandmother looking to arrange music lessons, (guitar or violin), for her grandchild. In her letter, she asks the Rebbe if this would be halachically permissible.

The Rebbe responds that there are no Halachic issues in arranging the music lessons, provided that they are conducted in accordance with Jewish law. The Rebbe adds that on the contrary, when done properly, learning an instrument can be used towards the service of G-d. However, there is something important a parent must be cognizant of regarding a parent’s approach to their child’s activities.

A young child is at a very impressionable stage in life. Therefore, teaching them to play an instrument, with all the benefits that come with it, must be done in the proper manner, without becoming too insistent on the lessons themselves.

When raising a child through the tender and impressionable years of early childhood, one must not be too persistent on one particular thing (in this case an instrument). Rather, a parent must maintain the appropriate proportion and balance in all a child’s endeavors.

Below is the letter in full (from a secretary’s copy, and therefore appears without a signature):

This letter, written originally in English, is a small preview of the Rebbe Responsa database containing thousands of the Rebbe’s English letters. This database will soon be made available on the forthcoming Rebbe Responsa app, allowing the world to view, learn and internalize the Rebbe’s profound insight and direction these precious letters contain.

The ultimate aim of this project is to bring this mostly overlooked and inaccessible genre of the Rebbe’s Torah into the home of every Jew.

For more info, visit RebbeResponsa.com