ISRAEL
Failed Messiah
Gur Rebbe Forbids Men To Dance On Simchat Torah With Their Little Children On Their Shoulders, Allegedly Because It May Be Sexually Arousing For The Men
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
On the day before Simchat Torah, Gur (also known as Ger or Gerrer) hasidim were told that adults would no longer be allowed to dance with little children on their shoulders – even their own little children – to avoid awakening the evil inclination, Ha’aretz reported.
The order was reportedly issued in the name of the Gerrer Rebbe Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter.
Dancing with Torah scrolls is part of the celebration of Simchat Torah in synagogues from all Jewish denomination and sub-sects worldwide, and it is common practice for adults not carrying a Torah scroll to put young children on their shoulders during the dancing to help the children participate without being trampled by adults who have often been drinking and who might not see small children in front of them until it is too late.
Gur rabbis reportedly told haredi blogger Haim Shaulson the new decree was meant as a safety issue to prevent the children from falling or being dropped during the wild dancing.
However, an unofficial Gur source said the decree was really meant to prevent child sexual abuse because placing small children on one’s shoulders could lead to the adult male becoming sexually aroused.
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