2.4.1 Physical Arrangements

The physical arrangements of type ℸ (daleth) equal those of the previous synagogal type ℷ (gimel). Central in the congregation and its worship is the Holy Ark, which contains the Torah scroll. Since the synagogue that I visited got burned recently, the ark was empty when I was there. Only a huge shofar, a horn of an animal, leaned in it. They removed the curtain that usually covered the Torah from sight. I assumed the Torah safely at a place, where dirt, noise and profane acts would not harm its sanctity. Members of the congregation, with helpers from abroad, for example a black American sympathising with Ethiopian Jews, were busy repairing the worst damage. I will not repeat the description of the various synagogal physical arrangements from the previous type ℷ (gimel). Prescribed, very old traditions regulate artefacts for all Orthodox synagogues.

Yet type ℸ (daleth) has one artefact that may less likely be found with the other three types, and other Orthodox synagogues. This artefact is an empty, open space, either in front or at the side of the rows of seats. This open room is a dance floor, which allows worshippers to dance to music and songs. Maybe „Messianic dance” (Silberling 1995: xi) is the distinguishing element of type ℸ (daleth). The Messianic dance floor is ground level and big enough to allow a considerable part of the congregation to participate. Messianic dancers claim that the steps are based on the Torah and follow King David's example, who once danced before the golden ark when he brought it to Jerusalem. ³¹2 Samuel 6:5. ) Since the congregation chose an industrial compound to install a synagogue, there appeared plenty of space for a dance area. Type ℸ (daleth) congregations share their charismatic expressions with many Christian groups. Today, in many Christian churches at least some individuals appreciate charismatic expression. These expressions are not even particularly Christian, as morphologically one can observe them also in other religions. ³²Once I was „channel hopping” and found that BBC showed a documentary about an African tribe worshipping a river god, while a Dutch station showed a documentation about the „Toronto Blessing” . The similarity was striking. In both cases the worshippers, mainly women, resisted to surrender to the supernatural. Finally they did, in the West they were „laid on hands”, and fell back over like a clog of fire wood. In Africa they entered a trance-like state by singing and dancing and also fell back over. The Western meeting took place in a hall, where people were laid on the ground to recover. In Africa the meeting happened in a river. The ladies were caught up, so they would not fall into the water, and brought to a safe place. Similar forms I have observed with type ℸ (daleth) rabbis. The phenomenon of „falling in the spirit” deserves attention. While the believers ascribe it fully to the working of the supernatural, I have the impression that also the social dimension appears to play a vital role in this experience.)