Dance throughout Jewish history, tearing down the Red Sea to the twentieth century.
“And Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing”.
– Exodus 15: 20
Dance has always been an integral part of Jewish life, especially in wedding traditions in different diaspora communities. Dances of joy are described in the Bible, whose first mention is after the parting of the Red Sea when the women broke out in song and dance. Another mention of dance – this time in an unfavorable light – appears in the story of the golden calf when Moses is enraged by the sight of the Israelites dancing around the golden idol.The Book of Samuel offers an account of King David leaping and dancing as the ark was brought to Jerusalem. The Book of Judges talks about the girls of Shiloh who would go out and dance in the vineyards (a custom also described in the Mishnah in relation to the Jewish festival of love, the 15th of Av). Additionally, in the 20th century, dance held an important place in Zionist culture.