Daily Halacha - Shabbat Laws, 16th of Av 5777

Is it permitted to play musical instruments on Shabbat?

It is forbidden to make sounds with musical instruments on Shabbat, as a decree lest one come to fix a musical instrument. However, singing with one's voice is permitted and it is a mitzvah to sing songs and praises to Hashem in honor of Shabbat [Chazon Ovadia 5, p. 235].

It is permitted to whistle with one's mouth on Shabbat, even in a melodious way, but using a whistle or a noisemaker is forbidden [Chazon Ovadia 5, p. 236].

If one has lost their keys on Shabbat and they have a key finder that whistles, it is permissible for them to whistle on Shabbat, even though they know that the key finder will whistle back [Chazon Ovadia 5, p. 237].

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