The Importance of Chabad Minhogim
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
The first print of the Rebbe’s Haggadah shel Pesach, which included a compilation of the minhagim of the Rebbeim for Pesach, was in 1946.
In 5708-1947, on Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkos someone asked the Previous Rebbe if the correct custom is to have honey on the table during Chol HaMoed. At that time the Previous Rebbe said that it would be a good idea to compile a complete collection of the minhagim of the Rebbeim. Later that year, when the maamar for Purim was printed for distribution, as an addition, it included a collection of minhagim at the end that the Rebbe compiled. This continued, and finally in 1966 these collections along with Sichos that related to the minhagim were combined to create Sefer HaMinhagim.
At an Achron shel Pesach fabrengen in 1940 the Previous Rebbe discussed the minhag of using a towel when washing each hand three times by netilas yadayim. The reason is to avoid touching the cup with wet hands. He told a story about a Shabbos guest by the Rebbe Rashab. After the Rebbe washed his hands, he offered the guest to wash as well. The guest proceeded to wash exactly the way he had observed the Rebbe washing. While he was washing the Rebbe was watching him intently. Later on, the Previous Rebbe asked his father the Rebbe why he had stared so intently at the guest while he washed. The Rebbe replied that it is a fine thing when a simple person emulates the minhag of a Ben Torah. If a Ben Torah, especially someone involved in Chassidus does so, he needs to be sure that he does so in a sincere and proper way.
In 5740-1980, parshas Titzavah, the Rebbe repeated this story and added that today we see that it has become a custom for everyone to wash three times with a towel. Are we on such a high level? The Rebbe explained that we are like midgets standing on the shoulders of giants. What once were great hidurim, even mehadrin min hamihadrin for a select few has now become the common minhag for everyone.
In Likutei Sichos volume 33 parshas Shlach the Rebbe discusses the proper way to wear tzitzis. There is a difference between the Shulchan Aruch and the Arizal, on whether to wear the tzizis on top or underneath one’s garments. Nevertheless, even according to the one who wears them underneath, the common minhag is to keep the strings on the outside. In 5743 on Shabbos parshas Miketz the Rebbe said that the minhag today is to wear the tzitzis on the outside. Therefore if he does not he is making a statement that he does not want to go in the ways of those that fear Hashem. He said that this is the way of those that fear Hashem and one should not deviate from the minhag.
The Rebbe also discussed that some have at times taken directives from his answers incorrectly. They quote answers that were given to specific individuals and then apply them to anyone in general. They often do not know the question asked and to whom the answer was given. Sometimes the minhag depends on the background of the individual. For example, Sefardim and Ashkenazim differ with regard to naming children after people that are alive. For Sefardim it’s an honor while Ashkenazim are very careful not to so. Since these minhagim differ, the proper way to understand the answer given is to know the context of the specific person being addressed. Also, the answer may be limited to the situation of the person. An example for this would be the difference in minhag in adding a name to a child after the name was given. For Sefardim it’s a shame for the person whom the child is named after, and therefore an addition should be avoided (except for special circumstances). Therefore, any answer given by the Rebbe to an individual depends on the person being spoken to, their place, as well as their situation. Therefore it is important to be careful when applying the Rebbe’s words when directed to an individual to anyone else.
In a fabrengen on Rosh Hashana 5739-1978, the Rebbe spoke of the great merit that this generation has for having received the guidance of the Previous Rebbe who revealed to us these minhagim. The minhagim we received are a preparation for the coming of Moshiach. They give us the strength that we need to fulfill all that is necessary for Moshiach’s arrival. They enable us to do what we need to do, not in a lifeless and lethargic way but in a way that is illuminated with profound insight and grasp that inspires true simcha shel mitzvah.
When we speak about the coming of Moshiach, often we use the expression to be; “Mikabel pnei Moshiach- to receive the countenance of Moshiach”. This also means to receive the penimius of Moshiach. This means something in addition to the removal of the burden of the nations and all the good things that the Rambam mentions that will occur when Moshiach arrives. To be mikabel pnei Moshiach means that we will continue to fulfill and add in our mitzvos until we grasp Hashem our Creator to the greatest measure that a person is able. We will merit receiving Moshiach with our utmost penimius, from the most profound perspective possible. As the Ramban says at the end of Hilchos Teshuva and at the end Mishna Torah that the Neveim and great Chachamim did not lust for Moshiach in order to rule over others or to receive the wealth and physical benefits of the era of Moshiach. Rather their lust was that there should calmness in the world in order have time to serve Hashem and be able to know Hashem in the greatest way possible.
Chassidus was revealed to the world to prepare us for Moshiach by giving us the knowledge of “Da es Elokei Avicha-to know the G-d of our Fathers”. An additional reason the minhagim were revealed to us in this generation is to prepare us to be mikabel pnei Moshiach.