The music changes, somebody grabs a chair, and suddenly half the room is running to the dance floor. That’s the hora.
I’ll be honest with you, though. The hora isn’t done at every wedding anymore. It’s become a little passé, and a lot of my couples skip it completely. And that’s fine. There’s no rule that says you have to do it.
It’s an Ashkenazi tradition that comes from Eastern European Jewish folk dancing, and it became a big part of Israeli culture too. It’s usually danced to Hava Nagila, which means “let us rejoice.” Everyone holds hands in a circle around the couple, and at some point the bride and groom get lifted up on chairs, sometimes the parents too. Lifting someone up is a way of honoring them, so it’s saying: tonight, you’re the most important people in this room.
If your family is Sephardic or Persian, the hora might not be part of your tradition at all. Those families usually have their own music and dancing that means a lot more to them.
The hora isn’t a must anymore. But when you do it, it’s so much fun to watch.
But when a couple does have a hora, I love it. It’s so fun to see who has dance moves. There’s always an uncle you didn’t expect, a cousin who takes over the circle, and a grandma who won’t leave the dance floor.
If you’re doing it, tell your DJ exactly when you want it to start. Right after your grand entrance works best, so the energy goes straight up instead of dying while everyone figures out what’s going on. And make sure the chairs are ready and the dance floor is clear before the music starts.
BTW, WHO’S PLANNING YOUR EVENT? #THEVENTBAR
