No traditional Jewish celebration can be complete without dancing the hora. If you’ve ever attended a traditional Jewish wedding, a bar mitzvah or a bat mitzvah, you may not have realized the highly dynamic and cheerful tunes of Hava Nagila (Let’s Rejoice) were an invitation to dance the hora.

Although most Jewish families are familiar with dancing the hora, which involves joining hands with other guests and dancing in a circle, not everyone knows the history of the dance, the cultural significance behind it or how to incorporate the hora into their wedding planning.

What Is the Hora?

The hora is a traditional Jewish circle dance originating from Eastern European folk tradition. The hora has its roots in the Balkans where different countries use slightly different terminology for the dance. The dance comes mainly from the Romanian namesake hora. In Bulgaria, the dance is known as horo, while in Montenegro and Macedonia it’s referred to as ora.

Modern-day hora symbolizes joy and celebration, hence its presence at special Jewish occasions, such as weddings and coming of age ceremonies in both Israel and the United States.

How Is the Hora Danced?

The hora dance is considered one of the key elements of a Jewish wedding. At orthodox Jewish weddings, men and women dance separately, forming their own circles. At more liberal Jewish weddings, men and women are allowed to mingle during the dance.

To begin the dance, participants face the center of the dance floor and either hold hands or interlock arms around their shoulders.

The hora step entails bringing the right foot to the back and repeating the same motion with your left foot. However, many different hora versions exist, and technique isn’t of utmost importance, as long as guests dance with enthusiasm and have fun.

The culminating event during the hora occurs when newlyweds (and sometimes their parents) are lifted on chairs with wedding guests dancing vigorously around them. While up in the air, the newlyweds each hold one end of a napkin, which symbolizes their everlasting union.

What Else Should You Know About the Hora?

If you’re planning a wedding for you, a family member or a friend and the hora is on the agenda, there are several things worth considering that will help make the dance a memorable highlight of the wedding reception.

When Should the Hora Be Performed?

There are no specific rules as to when the hora should be performed. In general, the dance happens during the reception. Most newlyweds choose to perform the hora at the beginning of the reception, shortly after dinner or somewhere in between.

Who Initiates the Dance?

It’s up to the newlyweds and their close family to decide who will initiate the dance. Sometimes a family member or friend begins the hora. It’s also common for married couples to appoint a live band member to be a hora dance leader. A Jewish wedding band member will likely know how to encourage wedding guests to join into the circle and may even teach them some basic hora steps.

How Long Should the Hora Last?

There is no timeframe as to how long the hora should last. Some couples choose a single song as their hora, while others may keep the dance going for many hours, incorporating many renditions of Hava Nagila and related hora tunes.

Who Plays the Music?

Couples typically hire a DJ or live band to play the music. Make sure to arrange a hora playlist with your DJ or band members prior to the wedding reception.

Who Is Supposed to Lift the Couple?

Technically, anyone in the wedding can lift the couple. However, it’s a good idea to designate a couple of lifters beforehand. You’ll want to designate guests who are physically strong and have enough stamina to keep you and your spouse in the air for several minutes.

Looking for the Perfect Backdrop for Your Virginia Wedding?

At CrystalView, we host a diverse array of events, including weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and corporate events.

Whether you’re looking for a simple and classy birthday party or a culturally themed wedding reception, we are committed to turning your vision into reality.

If you’re planning a wedding in the DMV or Fairfax area, schedule a tour of our venue.