I was reading an article Rafi G pointed to which is very interesting, and then saw this tidbit. Considering I'm about to go to a good friend's wedding, and this dance is certain to be done...
Dancing Hafetz Haim discoHeh. It would be a lot of fun to bring this piece to the wedding... :)
In traditional Haredi society, sports and physical exercise are considered Hellenistic and are treated very suspiciously. One of the reasons why going to weddings is so popular in the Haredi society, Hakak says, is the opportunity to dance and release energy.
One of the most fascinating stories in Hakak's studies is about the "Hafetz Haim dance," which began to be seen at Haredi weddings about 10 years ago. The Hafetz Haim was one of the most important Haredi rabbis of the 20th century. According to Hakak, the dance originated in the Hafetz Haim Yeshiva in the United States. What characterized it was that the participants moved about separately in a more personal style that included many body movements. In other words, under the name of the Hafetz Haim, they danced disco (without mixing the sexes, of course).
Hakak: "The significant thing is the dissolution of the circle of dancers. The circle symbolized the community. Here you have a form of dancing in which everyone has his own movements. That's amazing." Hakak relates that the rabbis objected strenuously to the revolutionary and dangerous new dance style, but despite their efforts the girls and women, at least, continue to dance in Hafetz Haim style.
That article implied that because the dance supposedly originated in the Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva, that the Chofetz Chaim himself supported or agreed with it, but that is not nescsscseaccssrily true because the Chofetz Chayim had nothing to do with Yeshiva save for the fact that his nephew started it and it is named after him. So I don't like the link. But check out my newest essay, it's about various Jewish reactions to Zionism. Very neutral.
ReplyDeleteinteresting... i will see what my brother says about this, him being a Chofetz Chaim bochur and all.
ReplyDeleteCool! But did the Chofetz Chaim recommend platform shoes, big gold chains, glitter balls, and butterfly collars, or was that more of a Bee-Gee's thing?
ReplyDeleteand pink ties!
ReplyDeleteR' Chaim - true. Obviously, the writer doesn't know much about the Chofetz Chaim yeshivos.
ReplyDeleteSarah - ?!?! I live across the street from Chofetz Chaim. I'm sure my bro knows him... and nice new logo again. :)
Amishav, R' Chaim - LOL! Try to picture the Chofetz Chaim (or R' Dovid Leibowitz) in those clothes. I don't think I see it. :)
for details: email. don't wanna give away too much in general blog-land :)
ReplyDeleteNow if only they learned as well as they danced! (OK, that was low...but I went to CC as well for a bit :)
ReplyDeleteOuch, Jameel. :) But wait - WHEN?!
ReplyDelete