Question: Is it ever appropriate to applaud during Jewish religious services?
— Judith P.
Dear Judith,
Many of us have experienced that awkward moment in synagogue when the bar mitzvah boy’s rousing haftarah is met with grand applause by unknowing spectators in the pews. Those who are not familiar with the prohibition of clapping on Shabbat tend to applaud without abandon, while those who know the law either shift uncomfortably or join in knowing that it’s against the rules.
The earliest mention of the prohibition of clapping on Shabbat and festivals is in the Talmud (Beitzah 36b), which suggests that it is forbidden because the clapper might become so engrossed in the rhythm they might be moved to grab an instrument to play along. And what’s wrong with playing an instrument on the Sabbath? If the instrument breaks, they may forget it is the Sabbath and try to fix it. And that — fixing the instrument — is the actual prohibited activity on Shabbat and festivals.
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Clapping, dancing and even playing music were once permitted on Shabbat when the Temple stood in Jerusalem. Some say the prohibition on music and dancing emerged after the Temple’s destruction.
Jewish legal authorities have ruled on the prohibition of clapping on the Sabbath and festivals with varying levels of stringency. The Sephardic understanding of the law tends to be more stringent, while the Ashkenazi understanding is more lenient. Some Hasidic sects actually encourage clapping and dancing on the Sabbath, particularly as an accompaniment to ecstatic prayer. In most instances, clapping with a shinui (literally, a “change”), such as hitting the palm of your hand with the back of your hand instead of the more common practice of clapping two palms together, is generally permitted.
So all that being said, is it ever appropriate to applaud during religious services? If the service is not being held on Shabbat or Yom Tov, there would be no specific prohibition as there is no concern for violating the Sabbath. However, different communities may have their own standards of decorum that don’t perfectly track to the technical requirements of Jewish law. So the best practice is probably to see what the community’s practices are and adjust accordingly.
Rabbi Danielle Upbin is the associate rabbi and prayer leader at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater, Florida.
