Does culture matter?

Here is a link to the Jewish version of the dagger dance.

One usually associates sword dances with the warlike cultures of the Caucasus or Middle East. In contrast, we usually think of Jewish culture as being peace loving and abhorring violence and it is disorienting to find Jews performing knife dances at a wedding.  In fairness, it is a much milder version than this goyishe one.

But why should we be surprised? I remember seeing a teshuva from Mahram MiRottenberg on whether a Jew who causes damage when his lance pushed his opponent off a horse during a tournament is liable for damages. Apparenlty in his time, Jews imitated knights and conducted tornaments during weddings.

Comments

[YU]

It is a Tosfos in Sukkah too, I heard it From Rabbi Wein first.