Feature Stories
Volumne 16 Number 4
March/April 2000
Adar/Nisan 5760
Role of Dance in Messianic Jewish Worship
By Kathy McGrath, Dance Coordinator of Kehilat Ariel
Throughout history, dance has been an expression of corporate and religious identity. This is especially true in Jewish history and culture and has been well documented throughout the Scriptures. Perhaps the most well known dance in Scripture is Exodus 15:20 where Miriam and other women dance with joy and thankfulness in response to the great victory of God over the Egyptians. From this context we learn that dance is the joyful response to God’s love for his people. Again, in Jeremiah 31:11-13 “the Lord will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they ... Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well.” Among the children of Israel, all people (men and women, young and old alike) were to participate and worship in dance!
There are many references to dance in the Scripture. Often Hebrew words that mean to “leap” or “whirl” or “dance” have been translated in English as “rejoice” or “celebrate.” This conveyed a more complete meaning, yet the form of dance worship is only implied in the English. An example is Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!...” The Hebrew meaning of gil is “rejoice” which refers to being glad, going in a circle, and jumping for joy. In this case, rejoicing is synonymous with joyful dance.
In Jewish tradition, dance acknowledges God’s provision and blessing. Dance worship is an integral part of the heritage of those who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and His Anointed One, Yeshua (Jesus). Another example is when David, “the man after God’s own heart” danced before the Lord with all his might. When Michal accused him of making a fool of himself in front of people, David said to Michal in 2 Samuel 6, “[It was] before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the Lord.”
David’s story tells us that the power of dance worship lies in its focus. Adonai has given all (men and women, Jews and Gentiles) this wonderful way to worship the Creator of the Universe - to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Almighty. Dance is worship and a sweet fragrance unto the Lord when we completely focus on exalting Him with our whole being. There is no greater joy or more expressive means of declaring His greatness and praise, thus fulfilling Deut 6:5, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
Dance is also a powerful form of corporate worship. In Messianic Judaism we gather together on Shabbat to remember what God has done for us, to thank Him, to rest from our labors and be refreshed as we focus on Him. We pray together, read the Scripture together and sing together. In the same way that we share the blessings of corporate worship by singing together as one body, we dance together in one body and one spirit. An example of corporate worship is Psalm 149:2-3. “Let them praise His name with dancing; let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.” And also Psalm 150:1-6, where it says, “Praise God in His sanctuary...Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; ...Praise the Lord!”
Messianic dance worship is also prophetic in nature. In Lamentations 5:15, Jeremiah states that one sign of Israel’s spiritual poverty is the lack of dance. And he also prophesies that the joy of Israel’s restoration will be celebrated with dance. “I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.” Jeremiah 31:4. When we dance before the Lord, we participate in the celebration of the Lord’s redemption and restoration of Israel.
At Kehilat Ariel dance worship is a regular and important part of our Shabbat services as well as other corporate celebrations. Shir Kadosh (Holy Song) dance ministry serves primarily to exalt Yeshua through dance and encourage all to participate in the joy of dance worship. The ministry team is available to come to teach dance or teach about the Biblical role of dance in celebrating our thankfulness to God. To enhance the dance worship experience, two sessions of dance workshops are held every year. Each session is three months (beginning each March and September). Psalm 100:2 encourages us to “Come and join...worship (serve) the Lord with gladness.” Let us all prepare to spend eternity in His presence with joy and thankfulness...and dance!
©2001 Kehilat Ariel Messianic Synagogue. All rights reserved.