Halachot and Customs
Why is it forbidden to play guitar on Shabbat?
Question
Hello,
Can the rabbi please explain why there is a prohibition against playing musical instruments on Shabbat? I understood that this is out of concern for repairing the instrument if it breaks, but I play guitar and do not know how to repair it or tune it if it breaks for me in any case, so is it allowed!?
Answer
Hello and blessings.
On an electric guitar, the reason for the prohibition is certainly clear to you.
Even with a regular guitar, the Sages prohibited it out of concern for repairing the instrument. The Sages prohibited the use of a guitar for everyone, out of concern that there may be someone who will repair it, and even if a particular person cannot repair his musical instrument, the prohibition is the same for everyone.
With blessings,
Binyamin Shmueli
