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<font size=3>At 02:58 PM 5/23/2013, R Micha wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Again, one can lose decorum in
ways that are in concert with davening.<br>
If the norm is that tefillos each says to themselves aren't all that<br>
quiet. Dancing for Lekha Dodi. Etc... </font></blockquote><br>
Dancing on Shabbos?<br><br>
<font size=3>The article below is from
<a href="http://www.cckollel.org/html/parsha/vayikra/shemini5763.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.cckollel.org/html/parsha/vayikra/shemini5763.html<br><br>
</a></font><h2><b>Clapping and Dancing on Shabbos<br><br>
</b></h2><h3><b>Rabbi Avi Weinrib</b></h3><font size=3>With Purim
lingering in the air and the rest of Adar still to follow, feelings of
joy and happiness permeate throughout our community. Memories of the
singing and dancing on Purim cause one to break out in spontaneous
eruptions of joy, especially on Shabbos. However, we have all heard about
restrictions on Shabbos regarding clapping and dancing. What exactly are
these restrictions, and what is the basis for them?<br><br>
</font><h1><b>The Background</b></h1><font size=3>The Mishna in Beitza
[36b] rules that it is forbidden to clap one’s hands, bang on one’s
thighs or dance [on Yom Tov]. Tosfos explains [Shabbos 148b] that since
these actions were generally done to the accompaniment of musical
instruments, the Sages were concerned that if one of the instruments
would break one might come to fix it on Yom Tov or Shabbos. Fixing an
instrument on Yom Tov or Shabbos would be a violation of the Melacha
D’Oraisa of Maka BiPatish. [As an aside R’ Yerucham Levovitz [Daas Torah
Chaya Sora 24-3] offers a fabulous insight as to why we see some of the
decrees of Chazal as a bit farfetched. He explains that unfortunately we
do not fully appreciate the severity of a sin and how detrimental it is
to us. If we would only realize how serious sins are, we would fully
understand why it was necessary to place so many fences around them. We
can compare it to a train approaching a busy thoroughfare. Before it
arrives, there are signs, flashing lights, and descending gates, which
are there well before the train arrives, and go up only after there is no
chance of any damage being done. Since the consequences of being struck
by a speeding train are so severe, the more precautions there are, the
better. How much more so is a sin, which is so damaging to our body and
soul. The Sages in their infinite wisdom saw it as necessary to
place many safeguards around sin.] Most Poskim are of the opinion that
this prohibition against repairing instruments would apply today as well.
Tosafos [Beitzah 30a] maintains that since we are not experts in
repairing instruments this forbiddance is no longer relevant. The Poskim
struggle with Tosafos. Firstly, as a rule, even when the reason given no
longer applies, unless a spiritually greater court would actually uproot
the decree it would still be in effect. [See Bais Mayer 339-1 Igros Moshe
O.H. 2 Siman 100]<br><br>
Secondly, according to Tosafos would it also be permitted to actually
play musical instruments as well? The consensus of the Poskim is that
even according to Tosafos, only clapping and dancing would be permitted,
and not the playing of actual instruments. [See Shut Shaar Ephraim 36
Eliyahu Raba O.H. 339-1 Biur Halacha ibid s.v. ulisspek]<br><br>
<br>
<b>The Halacha<br><br>
</b>The Shulchan Aruch [O.H. 339-3] rules that it is forbidden to clap
one’s hands, bang on one’s thigh or dance on Shabbos. The Rema quoting
Tosafos teaches that some say that nowadays, since we are no longer
experts in repairing instruments the decree is no longer applicable.
However, the Poskim do not fully concur with Tosafos. The Mishna Berura
[S.K. 8] only permits this on Simchas Torah where clapping and dancing is
a Mitzvah in honor of the Torah. However. for any other reason, even
other Mitzvos such as a Sheva Berachos it would not be permissible. [In
many Chasidic circles the custom is more lenient based on the Minchas
Elozer [Volume 1 Siman 29] who permits dancing and singing for those who
are caught up in the joy of Shabbos since for them it is considered a
Mitzvah.]<br><br>
<br>
</font><h1><b>What is Dancing?</b></h1><font size=3>Stepping back for a
moment, it is incumbent upon us to define what is included in the
category of dancing. There is obviously a difference between walking
around in a circle and dancing. The Toras Shabbos [O.H.339-2] based on a
Yerushalmi defines dancing as the action when one picks up his first
foot, then before it fully returns to the ground, the second foot has
already begun to rise. Any form of moving around in a circle that would
not include this would be permitted. <br><br>
<br>
</font><h1><b>Only to the Tune?</b></h1><font size=3>The Aruch HaShulchan
[339-9] raises another point. He maintains that the only clapping and
dancing that was forbidden was where one is in tune with the song. Only
in such a scenario is the clapping or dancing intrinsically connected to
the song and there is a worry one could come to fix the broken
instrument. Any form of clapping or dancing, which is sporadic and not
done in tune, would be permitted. Although some Poskim disagree with the
Aruch HaShulchan, many see this a basis for those who are lenient in
these matters.<br><br>
<br>
</font><h1><b>Banging and Snapping</b></h1><font size=3>Included in this
decree would also be banging on a table or the like with or without any
utensil. Snapping one’s finger along with singing would also be
included.<br><br>
<br>
</font><h1><b>Clapping not Associated with Music</b></h1><font size=3>The
Poskim rule that only clapping connected to song would be included.
Clapping, snapping or banging to get another’s attention, wake someone up
or silence an audience would be permitted [ O.H. 338 Mishna Berura S. K.
2,4]. Clapping for applause would also be permitted [Oz
Nidbiru Vol 13-14].<br><br>
<br>
</font><h1><b>In an Abnormal Fashion</b></h1><font size=3>Clapping and
banging was only forbidden in a normal fashion. If done in an abnormal
way, for instance clapping against the back of one’s hand, this would be
permitted, as it would serve as a reminder, and would not lead to fixing
any instruments. [O.H. 339-3]<br><br>
<i><a name="rabbi2"></a>Rabbi Weinrib learns full time in the [Chicago
Community] Kollel and is a frequent contributor to Halacha
Encounters.<br><br>
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