Hadlaka dance -Minhag Avoda Zara

Lag Baomer Matzav

HOLY FIRE DANCERS The Tosefta (Shabbos 7:1) says clapping hands or dancing in front of a fire is אסור because of דרכי אמורי. Harav Hagaon Reb Shmuel Wosner zt"l (Shevet Halevi 7: 136) was asked if in camp, dancing around a bonfire is permissible or there is an איסור of דרכי אמורי. One of the reasons to consider why it might be מותר is because perhaps the Tosefta is referring only when the dancing is done for the honor of the fire. (eg: A holy fire lit by a Rebbe who said לשם יחוד  & seven times ויהי נועם etc.) Then it has traces & elements of עבודה זרה. Whereas in camp it's just done for the warmth, light,& fun. Perhaps there it is not considered מנהג עבודה זרה. Rav Wosner concludes that even in a camp bonfire there is reason to be מחמיר and refrain from dancing around all fires so as not imitate עבודה זרה festivals.