cantoresq wrote
Remember early chassidut was not populated by the greatest scholars especially among the laity.
Did you mean to imply that neither were the Founders & Leaders of Chasidut the greatest scholars? ???? ????? !!!!
True the Mitzva Tantz is not (in some circles) what it should be
but to blame the early Chasidim and to say they were influenced by the Goyish environment is unmitigated Chutzpa. And is ?????? ???? ???? as practiced in some circles what ??”? meant???
For more detail of the Minhag & its origins including a direct quote & citation from Machzor Vitry go http://tinyurl.com/336vbzb & page over (using the arrow under the masthead)to ??”? ??? ?