From Boaz and Yachin to Pole Dancing

Alerted (k/t=JR), I understand that it is claimed that rigorous physical fitness training has come to Stern College for Women, or better, Stern girls have come to adopt pole dancicng.

I have no pictures, but The Forward has the details. My wife, who studied at Stern, went to a dance studio while we were going out where I waited outside on the sidewalk before going off to dance with Fred Berk at the 92nd Street Y.

The only aspect of this that perhaps is related to any Jewish tradition are the two columns at the entrance of the Temple, Boaz and Yachin.*  But they weren't free-standing (or maybe they were)

so pole dancing would may have been difficult.

That has even developed into Yoga, though.

Of course,  there is also this, from Treatise Succot of the Babylonian Talmud, 53A:

...They said of Rabban Simeon ben Gamaliel that when he rejoiced at the [temple ceremony on Sukkot which was called the] 'rejoicing at the place of the water-drawing', he used to take eight lighted torches [and throw them in the air] and catch one and throw one and they did not touch one another; and when he prostrated himself, he used to dig his two thumbs in the ground, bend down, kiss the ground, and draw himself up again, a feat which no other man could do, and this is what is meant by Kidah [bowing to the ground].

My friend Raphael Harris expands on this.

I can't wait until the upcoming holiday to hear about it.

Oh, and ladies, the trick is to keep up the dancing for a few more years. 

Your husbands will appreciate it and the effects on you.

_____________

PS

15 Thus he fashioned the two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high each; and a line of twelve cubits did compass it about; [and so] the other pillar. 16 And he made two capitals of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars; the height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits. 17 He also made nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which were upon the top of the pillars: seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital. 18 And he made the pillars; and there were two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the capitals that were upon the top of the pomegranates; and so did he for the other capital. 19 And the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars in the porch were of lily-work, four cubits. 20 And there were capitals above also upon the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network; and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon each capital. 21 And he set up the pillars at the porch of the temple; and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.


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