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Messianic Services?

Woodsy

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Greetings,
I'd like to ask you guys what the services are like at the Messianic Congregations that you attend.
I only attended a Messianic Service once, and was put off because I don't really enjoy "contemporary worship" with all the tambourine-banging and dancing. I'd like to attend again at a disfferent Congregation, but whenever I look up anything about Messianic Congregations, I see all this stuff about "Davidic Dance." I mean, yeah, David danced when bringing the Ark back, but it wasn't a regular part of Jewish worship was it?
Lately I've been attending an Eastern Orthodox Church, and I've found that the services are pretty close in tone to services at a local Conservative synagogue I used to attend. More restrained, without guitars, and tambourines, and stuff.

What are you guys' experiences with Messianic worship services?
 

Woodsy

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justinhulsey said:
It's just a straight-up Torah service. There are a couple of songs here and there, but no musical accompaniment, and no dance.

I'd like to find a place like that, I think.
 
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simchat_torah

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I have never heard of a 'non'-messianic synagouge to have 'davidic dance'. However, Chassidic synagouges require (by halacha - oral law) to dance on the Sabbath.... it is commanded!

I could be wrong, but I would say that 'davidic dance' is an invention of MJism.

While it may be 'biblical' to dance, it seems more or less a fad as of late. Nearly every MJ congregation has 'davidic dance' lessons or 'davidic dance' in their worship. But in traditional Jewish synagouges this term is unheard of.

Shalom,
Yafet.
 
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simchat_torah

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p.s. I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm merely saying it's a recent invention and isn't some 'ancient tradition'. Yes, Jews have been dancing for centuries, but this specific form of dance was never a part of a shul service (except Chabad). Jewish dancing was typically practiced during festivals, and during biblical times during outbursts of personal worship.

I enjoy dancing.
I enjoy dancing in worship before HaShem.

I just wanted to establish those things before anyone accused me of being 'anti-dance'. ;)
 
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SonWorshipper

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BTW , I agree with Simchat, I don't think that the early believers were dancing around the Temple in Jerusalem and calling attention to themselves. This is really not a new invention though , but in the country we live in we are free to express how we feel towards our G-d and I believe in breaking with Christian tradition of "stoic", "respectful" but Puritanical worship and really Make a joyful noise unto the L-rd, and Dance before Him in a worshipful manner of expression, sing His praises joyfully and from the depths of your souls and hearts, Dont' be afraid to show Him how much you love Him!


Let your tears flow as you are brought closer into worship with Him, let His Ruach wash over you!

That to me shows that this is what the L-rd wants. When I worship Him like this, not holding back, I feel His Spirit wash over me like nothing I can describe but pure Joy!!! Simcha!!!! :)
 
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Talmid HaYarok

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I'm pretty sure "Davidic dance" is an invention of the American growth of Messianic Judaism though I certainly couldn't prove it. Its just not common to Judaism and not even to Russian or Ethiopian forms of Messianic Judaism either.

I'm fine with it as a free expression of people's love and faith for the Lord, but it shouldn't be a focus of service.
 
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Woodsy

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Talmid HaYarok said:
I'm pretty sure "Davidic dance" is an invention of the American growth of Messianic Judaism though I certainly couldn't prove it. Its just not common to Judaism and not even to Russian or Ethiopian forms of Messianic Judaism either.

I'm fine with it as a free expression of people's love and faith for the Lord, but it shouldn't be a focus of service.

Ecstatic dancing was a big part of every Pagan worship service I attended while apostate. It really worked up everybody's emotions and made them feel good.
The fact that it seems to be such a big part of Messianic worship is one of the main things that has kept me out of Messianic services.
 
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