Messianic Dance

Sephania · Jun 11, 2006

In our congregation, specific worship songs throughout the worship portion of our service are designated in the bulletin as dance numbers. Those who wish to worship in this manner go off to the side of the sanctuary and form a circle and dance. Most songs are already choriographed by our Rabbitzin , a dance instructor, who also teaches at our local JCC.

ChavaK · Jun 11, 2006

Torah said:
ChavaK At our congregation when our service starts a man will stand in the center of the room holding the Torah and people will Dance around him & the Torah. (5 or 6 songs, other men will go up and hold the Torah) Then the Torah will be put away. The service will start with the typical prayers & blessings and after saying each prayer the music for that prayer is played and who ever wants, then dance to that prayer then on to the next prayer.

PS,
Simcha Torah is a "special occasion of dancing around the Torah.

So you use music during services, and mixed seating and dancing? Are your services then similar to what you would see in a Reform temple (minus the dancing!)?

thanks,
chava

ChavaK · Jun 11, 2006

Zayit said:
In our congregation, specific worship songs throughout the worship portion of our service are designated in the bullitin as dance numbers. Those who wish to worship in this manner go off to the side of the sanctuary and form a cirlce and dance. Most songs are already choriographed by our Rabbitzin , a dance instructor, who also teaches at our local JCC.

What do you mean by "worship songs"? Are these extra things inserted into the service meant for dancing, or are they part of the regular davening?

thanks,
chava

Sephania · Jun 11, 2006

ChavaK said:
What do you mean by "worship songs"? Are these extra things inserted into the service meant for dancing, or are they part of the regular davening?

thanks,
chava

Our services start out in worship of HaShem.
It starts with prayer by the Rabbi, then usually a song, then liturgy.

OK, I have yesterdays order of service here in front of me, (I took it home in my bible.)

Now since last week was Shavuot (nd we as believers in HaMoshciah Yeshua see this as not only the time of the giving of the Torah, the word of G-d, but also the outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh) we had an all day service last week on this and were filled with Joy so you will see that reflected in this Shabbat's service.

We started out after opening prayer with:

L'choo r'ra-na ( O come let us rejoice)
Then we did Hava Nagila which was designated as a dance song.
That really got everyone awake and in a celebretory mood!

Lit- L'cah Doedee
Song - by our own Ted Pearce - Walk in the Light - Come house of Jacob let us walk in the light, walk in the light of the L-RD! ( dance song)
Behold G-d is my salvation ( not dance)
New Jerusalem ( not dance)

Testemonies from the previous week how the Ruach worked with each one attending.

Lit-
Barchoo
V'shamroo v'nay Yisrael
Shema

Brit Chadasha reading

Lit-
Yeshua Hu
V'ahavta
Elohaynoo V'elohay

Song
More power
One thing I ask for
O give thanks

Blessing of Children under the Chuppah

Messiah's prayer

Drash: Freedom, Order, Spiritual growth

Lit-
Kadeesh
Ain Kaloheynee

Aaronic benediction

Ha Motzi

Oneg

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask, I will answer as best I can. I know this probably sounds very strange to you.

Tishri1 · Jun 11, 2006

during the whole worship portion anyone is able to dance if they think they can follow the steps... some are harder than others but all are welcome just the same...there are special occations where there are presentation dances done, but most people can figure this out because the dance team doing the presentaion has on special outfits for that number......

Dance Worship is a huge part of our congregation and not put under any special regulations other than the usual rules for congregational worship held by everyone...

Torah · Jun 11, 2006

ChavaK said:
So you use music during services, and mixed seating and dancing? Are your services then similar to what you would see in a Reform temple (minus the dancing!)?

thanks,
chava

Correct

Hadassah · Jun 12, 2006

My only thing right now with our congregation doing the dances, is the mixed dancing. I wouldn't mind it if men and women had their own circles... but that's me. When I participate in the choreographed stuff, I position myself between women... and if it's just our usuall "everyone come up here and dance" I also will stay amongst other girls/women.

I've been wondering a little about the mixed sitting.. but I don't mind families sitting together, I'm pretty comfy with that.. but it would be beneficial I think for those who wouldn't think about certain issues to be seperated ...

Ivy · Jun 14, 2006

Zayit said:
Our services start out in worship of HaShem.
It starts with prayer by the Rabbi, then usually a song, then liturgy.

OK, I have yesterdays order of service here in front of me, (I took it home in my bible.)

That seems like a nice interweaving of liturgy and worship songs It seems like when you have both, the sum is greater than the parts, so to speak.

Ivy · Jun 14, 2006

antsinmypants said:
My only thing right now with our congregation doing the dances, is the mixed dancing. I wouldn't mind it if men and women had their own circles... but that's me. When I participate in the choreographed stuff, I position myself between women... and if it's just our usuall "everyone come up here and dance" I also will stay amongst other girls/women.

I've been wondering a little about the mixed sitting.. but I don't mind families sitting together, I'm pretty comfy with that.. but it would be beneficial I think for those who wouldn't think about certain issues to be seperated ...

I feel the same way as you on both counts. We just started doing Shabbat Shalom in separate gender circles and I just feel better somehow (I guess there is always a fear in the back of my mind--even though I take careful precautions--of bouncing, if ya' know what I mean, and is someone looking etc). Maybe I'm too self-conscious, though.

(And I'm kind of in favor of men & women sitting separately....it's kinder to those who are widowed, who have absent non-believing spouses etc. For such people, it can be lonely to see the little nuzzles between husbands and wives, whereas if it's "all us girls" sitting together, then there is more of a feeling of togetherness.)

Torah · Jul 28, 2006

Torah said:
If you’re into choreographing Davidic dance then you should look into this “Karmiel Israel”. People from all over the world go to this 7 day festival in the town of Karmiel. The best of the best of Davidic dance teachers converge to this beautiful town to teach Davidic dance and teach people how to become certified Davidic dance instructors.

http://www.dancefest.karmiel.israel.net/en/dancefest_en.html

This was concealed, A friend of my family went. He said sirens started to sound and everyone run to bomb shelters. One rocket hit the hotel they were staying in. And another hit a statue in front of the place. Hundreds of people left Karmiel and went to
Tel-Ave. He went back to the hotel 2 days later to get his luggage and said it was like a ghost town. He got back today and is going to spend Shabbat with us.

MattyJames · Jul 28, 2006

Zayit,

Do you live in Israel or the US? How I'd love to attend one of your services. We have nothing like that, after all, we only know traditional christian sevices. (Rather stayed and boring.)

We do have messianic worship, thanks to Paul Wilber, but no dancing as yet. I do hope to change that one day. The problem is, I don't know how to dance!

I'd love to learn the whole davidic dance thing. Even though I've only just heard about it reading this thread...I wish I could be closer to thoes who have some more knowledge of these things.

Well, Lord willing I will attend one day. I might just Pop in without any notice. :-D

MJ

MattyJames · Jul 28, 2006

Ok...sorry to derail the thread a bit. But a few questions.

What do all you dancers out there think of the likes of Ballet and Jazz and what not??

As I see it, any dance that is either unnatural or glorifies the flesh is wrong.

See I was recenltly at logger heads with a young friend of mine who see's her whole life mission to dance. she really would like to be a show girl on a Cruize ship, (Her parents of course highly deplore the idea) or at the least teaching ballet or Jazz or something like that.

I was pretty straight with her...Dance to please an audiance and your dancing is vanity, fleshly and proud.

So what do you all think?? Is ballet and Jazz bad?? What about the cruize ship idea??

Matt James

Tishri1 · Jul 29, 2006

I was a Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Modern dancer/teacher for years, but before all that training I started by dancing in the Church first (back when it was not so popular) and so I always felt like I was dancing for an Audience of one (my ABBA)...

I'd cry so often when I was worshipping , that for me singing was very unpredictable. BUT I can cry and dance, no problem, and I do, and I taught all my students to dance with deep emotion like that as well ...well I didn't really teach them that, but they learned it from hanging around me I guess.

My dance training has definately helped my worship of ABBA as I can do more in worship than if I didnt know how to dance...of course that would be true in any area of worship be it dancing, singing, or playing an instrument, even your knowledge of the Word of God makes you better equipped to worship ABBA...

Having had a background in Ballet and Modern Dance especially, has helped me learn Hebraic dance incredibly fast....I can usually watch for a minute or two and join right in no matter how hard the dance is...Every Hebrew dance step translates into a ballet step so all I have to do is identify the ballet steps, string them together in my mind, and jump right in...

My whole life of dance has revolved around ABBA though, even when I was performing, so I have rarely had the ego thing going on when I danced ....which can be a hindrence to many experienced dancers, who first come into a worship situation. But that is no reason to stop dancing! ABBA's gifts are irrevocable and dance is very much a gift from Him....For a dancer who has spent her whole life dancing and being encouraged to promote herself, here is some simple but profound advice...

Try to commit to yourself that you will spend twice as much time dancing alone in front of ABBA in worship this week as you do in classes and performances....and see how you feel then when you do dance around people after that week....I promise you will feel like a new person, if not that first week, then within a very short time. Your focus will definately change, and even other people will notice this change...

And when choreographing dances for ABBA, remember that you are not the only one who has been created to worship ABBA today, even if you may have much more ability. He desires worship from all of you, and all of you have something to give...Let them go first, and be a servant to the group, let them even change a few of you steps if they want to....It helps them grow and it helps you grow too

Tishri1 · Jul 29, 2006

Torah said:
This was concealed, A friend of my family went. He said sirens started to sound and everyone run to bomb shelters. One rocket hit the hotel they were staying in. And another hit a statue in front of the place. Hundreds of people left Karmiel and went to
Tel-Ave. He went back to the hotel 2 days later to get his luggage and said it was like a ghost town. He got back today and is going to spend Shabbat with us.

I just notised this! What happened when he visited ,what did he say.

Torah · Jul 29, 2006

Tishri1 said:
I just notised this! What happened when he visited ,what did he say.

He was in Israel 17 days and he got there the day before war started, and before the dance festival started. Hezbollah sent 16 rockets to the town next to Karamel. That night on Hezbollah Television they said that the rockets were meant for Karamel. If the rockets would have been sent 1 day later & landed in Karamel there would have been about 10.000 people from all over the world there. The festival was canceled and the people that were there a day early ware not harmed, my friend said he could here the shell being fired from Israel. He stayed with different people that moved him and others around to different places. He said warning sirens would sound and they would have to run to the safe room in the apartments. He said the People take all this with stride, and just keep going. Everyone keeps an eye & ear on the television & radio. He ended up, the last 6 days in Jerusalem. He met a man who owned a bar that a suicide-bomber hit two years ago. He lost people he knew and loved, but he clean up, reopen and started over. He said this is the attitude of the people he meet.

Margolit · Aug 14, 2006

I would like to share the following experience I had during worship with all my fellow dancers in the L-rd. Margolit

Summer 2005, July, 2006

Dancing With Yeshua
By Harriette K. (Margolit)
(Eyes closed, I'm standing by my seat
During the song "His Love")

I see Yeshua,
With a big smile, hand outstretched:
"Come, won't you dance with me?"
He takes my reluctant hand,
Pulling me.

We start running and skipping to the music,
Laughing;
He then grasps my other hand
And we start hopping and turning
To the music.
His face is wreathed in smiles,
His eyes twinkling;
We're both laughing!

Then He takes me by the elbows, and says:
"Come! Hold onto my arms."
I look up questioningly.
"Come, you're with me.
What can happen!?"
I grasp His arms tightly.

The music's rhythm and tempo change:
Neither fast nor slow,
Almost like a reel.
We slide and skip sideways,
Moving towards,
Then away from, each other.

Turning beneath our raised arms,
We turn back to back,
Still holding on, moving arms
Out to the side,
He releases one arm,
Grasps my other arm
To the shoulder,
Behind my Head.

"Now,"He says, "just relax;
Let me lead.
Follow my lead."
He moves closer,
So we're side by side,
And turning His head, He looks
Straight into my eyes.

The love in His eyes shines
So brightly,
His mouth in a wondrous smile
That grows, filling His face,
And He tosses His head back as the smile
Again explodes into laughter
...Joyful, Happy!

All the while He has not taken
His eyes from my face,
From my eyes.
We're turning 'round and 'roun
To the music.
He switches arms,
And we turn the other way,
Still side by side, face to face,
Wrapped in the joy of each other's love!

Suddenly He lets go, takes my other hand,
Spinning me around, walking,
So that I am turning around Him
As I spin.
I laugh harder and harder.

The music changes again,
Slowing to a soft, lovely melody.
And I know it is the dance
I love so much:
The Waltz;
The Dance of Love!

Releasing my arms, turning toward me,
He takes my hand in His, and
Reaches behind me, gently
Putting His other arm around my waist,
Drawing me closer to Him.
During this whole time
His eyes never leave mine.
His exuberance has mellowed
Into a gentle, loving smile.

As He does, the background changes:
It is a banquet hall
Decorated in beautiful soft ivories
Creams and shades of white,
With banquet tables lining the room.

And pale roses, lilies-of-the-valley,
And daisies, with a hint
Of purple violet
Interspersed here and there,
Fill vases on pedestals around the room,
And in bowls of alabaster
On the tables.

A canopy, decorated with flowers
And vines winding down the supports,
Covers a small table
At the head of the room.

When this changes, our clothes
Also change,
And we're both in white:
Yeshua in a white robe and yarmulke,
Me in a simple long dress
With a belt of flowers,
Small floral wreath with white ribbons
Down the back,
And thin veil over my face.

It is the wedding banquet---
HIS wedding Banquet!

We continue to waltz,
Slow, easy, lost in the moment.
As we do, my eyes fill with tears
At the realization of it all;
And before I can turn my head away,
Yeshua releases my hand,
Moves the veil,
And wipes them with His sleeve.

Holding me closer, He whispers:
"Do not cry, my Margolit---
My Beautiful Pearl.
My Bride,
My Sweet Dancer;
This is where you are meant to be!"

Relaxing, I smile through new tears---
But now I laugh as well---
For they are tears of joy!

ZionFire · Aug 26, 2006

Tishri - really good advice to trained dancers! I don't understand why people get the idea that if you are trained in something that it is "fleshly" to use your training to magnify the Lord. The scriptures never condemn anyone for being skilled, in fact David appointed those who would search out skilled artists for the ministry in the tabernacle.

Margolit....I know your poem will minister to many, even if there is not a response to it here. It poignantly speaks of the individual joy we have in our relationship with Yeshua.

Tishri1 · Aug 26, 2006

MattyJames said:
I was pretty straight with her...Dance to please an audiance and your dancing is vanity, fleshly and proud.

Matt James

MJ I know I'm quoting you our of context, but just to ask a question...would you still completely agree with this statement standing alone? I'm just curious, I was thinking about your friend and praying for her too....I bet she could have a nice career in dance that would glorify ABBA even in front of an audience(maybe not cruise ship, am not sure what you mean by that but I'm guessing half naked girls in big hats, but that is not the only Job for a dancer)

BarbB · Aug 27, 2006

Margolit - your song blessed me so much!

Reminds me of:

Dance with me O lover of my soul
to the Song of all Songs

Margolit · Aug 27, 2006

BarbB said:
Margolit - your song blessed me so much!

Reminds me of:

"Dance with me, O Lover of my soul,
To the Song of All Songs"

Thank you, BarbB, and everyone else who took the time to read and/or comment on it. I am happy if the L-rd has used it to touch and/or minister to you in some small way.

Barb, That song is one of my favorites. In fact, I almost added that exact portion of it as my signature when I first joined, but wasn't sure about it. Now I wished I had, as dance is one of His special gifts to me, and those words have spoken to me since I first heard them.

But now Paul Wilbur's "Come Dance With Me" also has the same effect:

"Dance, dance, dance for the L-rd,
I lift my hands to You;
With all my strength will I leap,
And in your presence dance!"

It makes me think of Miriam as she lead the women in dance and song after their deliverance from Pharaoh at the Red Sea, or David's dancing before the Ark as it was brought to Jerusalem, and other instances of dancing before the L-rd in the Bible.

Dancin' with and for Yeshua,

Margolit

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