I've been listening to the news on 1010 WINS but it's so boring. I don't like political talk shows. I recently listened to a program on Boston accents on Boston radio (http://www.radioboston.org/?p=901) that was interesting.

Does anyone have any recommendations of stations and/or specific programs that are online?

Video shurim from Torahanytime.com. They have all kinds of Rabbanim with different types of hashkafot (centrists/MO, charedi, chassidish, middle of the road-- blend of MO and charedi, etc.)

I recommend Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein, Rabbi Bentzion Shafier, and many, many others.

They also have a "women's only" section, which is pretty cool.

Thanks.

But I guess I meant not shiurim. I know about those sites.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but if you are interested in a capella music, on www.live365.com, they have a station that just plays a capella called "a capella always". It's not the best music ever, but it's definitely better than nothing.

A lot of them are pretty enjoyable (I also love it when Rabbis crack jokes...R'Wallerstein is so funny.)
But, whatever floats your boat.

http://www.chassidus.com/audio/nigreb/


He is amazing.

I listen to radio sitcoms year round on http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/.
If you prefer drama, try http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/.

wait. singing or listening to singing is permitted but listening to music is not?
i'm still computing this.

That is correct, and yours is the whole question of whether a capella is permissible.

Ask your LOR, but always thought that the instruments were the issue, not the singing voices. I could be wrong. Please don't tell me if I am, even though this music isn't the best, it's better than nothing.

I think you are right. But ask your own Rabbi for a psak, I think almost everyone holds as you said.

I don't get the question. You can't listen to music. What's that got to do with singing?


The question of whether or not a capella is acceptable is that they make it sound like music, not that it is singing and we are not allowed to hear singing.

Yes but are we allowed to hear singing that sounds like instruments, Ahavati is saying what is the difference between music of voice and music of instrument. So it's not that the halacha is not to listen to music, the halacha is not to listen to instrumental music.

i thought the entire point was mourning?

eta: oh yes, here it is:



no wonder i can't reconcile this.

Regardless of what other people do, I don't listen to a cappella music during the Three Weeks or sefirah.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

seems to me that if people can't be trusted to mourn in their own way, which is as unique as the individual they are, then anything that brings happiness should be banned. i mourned the loss of my mother through music, which inspired some beautiful writing in tribute to her memory. perhaps it's not 'what' but 'what kind' that truly matters to God. i know that's what my heart has reconciled. for that i'm both relieved and glad.