I know that this is not new news, but I actually just saw this hechsher today.

It seems that the main source for his opinions is not the Talmud or Shulchan Aruch, but American Preachers. (Though I can’t even find a source for his claim that the saxophone was referred to as the “Devil’s Flute” in the ’20s)

The best line is that “the use of 2-4 music, and other rock and disco beats is forbidden.” Well, I suppose it is Waltzes all the way from now on! And no swaying to the music!

Rabbi Akiva says:

ר’ עקיבא אומר המנענע קולו בשיר השירים בבית המשתה ועושה אותו כמין זמר אין לו חלק לעולם הבא (תוספתא סנהדרין יב, ה”י)

(loose translation)
Anyone who sings Shir HaShirim at a wedding and makes it into a tune has not portion in the World to Come? (Tosefta 12:10)

(I know that perhaps it doesn’t mean wedding, but pub (see my previous post), and I know that some want to say it only applies to Shir HaShirim – but what other source is there for a ban if not this?)

So either everything is permitted, or everything is forbidden. Who authorised Rabbi Luft to give a hechsher to any music?

So, if we are all doomed anyway, let’s go out in style:

Primus – The Devil Went Down To Georgia
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(Do not listen to this if you don’t like Devil’s music – it has a rock beat in 4/4)