“I love the ‘Vort’ of not saying חסל סידור פסח at the conclusion of the Seder – not to formally end the Seder that never ends.

“It’s such an inspiring thought, that even though I Daven Nusach Sefard myself, I didn’t say it this year”.

Is this person correct for omitting part of his Nusach Hagoda?

If one feels that clapping by Davening helps them keep focused, Could there be anything wrong with them doing that?

***

Shivim Ponim LaTorah – there are 70 different ways in which Torah is interpreted. Each Posek ‘Paskening’ in their own way, as per their outlook.

Tanaim, Amoraim, Rishonim and Achronim, never came to a conclusion, or even said a Sevora “off the bat”. Everything fit in to their entire outlook of Torah, and their opinions run through every part of Torah they wrote on.

This is known as לשיטתי – their overall outlook.

Even their Chumra’s and Heteirim follow their outlook on when exceptions are used…

***

In Avoda too, throughout the generations,

Tzadikim, those who know the internal workings of the higher worlds, set out unique Derochim in Avodas Hashem.

Each Tzadik charting a different path. Setting out a different set of rules, customs, and at times even ‘Paskening’ certain Halochos, in line with their unique outlook in Avoda.

Some things they said to do, other things they conspicuously left out.

Often they explained their reasoning. Sometimes not.

But whether clearly explained or not,

Each Derech contains exactly what one needs in order to reach the goal set out in the vision of the מייסד השיטה וממשיכי דרכו.

Exactly what one needs. No more, no less.

But, is there a need to follow a specific Derech? Can an individual just do all the nice Minhogim that ‘talk’ to him?

***

Getting dressed one Shabbos morning, a frustrated Shmuel decided that he had had enough.

He couldn’t stand the fact that everyone wore the same style clothing.

To his mind, the conformity made everyone look like cardboard cut-outs.

With no need to ‘fit in’, he decides to create his own dress code.

The best approach, he figures, would be to visit one community each week for Shabbos, and chose one item of their Shabbos attire. Within a few weeks, he will have collected the best of the best items of clothing from within all Orthodox groups.

Beginning in Boro Park, the first item was easy. He has always loved the Shtreimel, and so by Sunday morning, he is the proud owner of a $2000 one.

Proud of himself, he can’t wait until next Shabbos when he will go to Crown Heights. There, he finds a certain aristocratic look to the Kapote. And sure enough on Sunday morning he is the first one in the store to buy one.

His journey continues, each week picking one item of clothing that in his opinion looks really unique.

By the time he was finished, ten weeks later, he was so proud of himself, convinced that he truly had the best of the best Levush.

Slowly he donned his Shtreimel over his white knitted Yerushalmi Yarmulke, which he had custom made with the green rim he saw at the youth Minyan Shul, and a logo of Chabad on Campus.

That was followed by his Tzitzis with Tcheiles under his Butten-less shirt, red bowtie, Tzitzis over his shirt – because he liked both the Halachic and Kabalistic reasons.

Over all that he put a white vest, Yerushalmi Kaften that he had made with ‘Shtrokes’, a Kapote with ‘Frak’ buttons (shame it was too hot for his ‘Rebishe Peltz’ (fur) that he had sown onto his very elegant brown coat).

Rolling up his white trousers halfway, he quickly put on one white sock and one black one, over which he put one boot and one brown shoe, tucking his white sock into his trousers, like he saw in Gur.

He couldn’t contain his pride when walking into Shul for Mincha. After so many weeks, he really has chosen the best of the best of each Levush…

The Simcha in Shul was phenomenal – everyone was literally laughing from joy…

***

Every part of a Derech, is a part of big puzzle, made specifically with an end game in mind.

But not every piece fits in every puzzle.

Some Minhogim as beautiful as they are, are pointless when taken into context of your specific needs.

At times they can even be detrimental.

Between Chabad and Breslov

Let’s use the example of two Derochim in Chassidus

Reb Nachmon Breslover was a צדיק קדוש וטהור, whose Derech in Chassidus is one of the שבעים פנים לתורה in דרך הבעש”ט.

But for someone working on being a Lubavitcher Chossid, following some of the Breslover Derech can set them back.

Because, though both the Alter Rebbe and Reb Nachmon agreed that a Chossid must work on their own and cannot rely solely on a Tzadik. They nevertheless had very different ideas as to what the work should be.

If we have to break down, the core differences between Shitas Chabad and that of Breslov, it would be that

Where Reb Nachmon made room for a focus on the current reality and emotions of the individual. The Alter Rebbe insisted that one focus on absolute reality.

Reb Nachmon allowed a focus on the ‘here and now’.

He teaches a Yid to bring Hashem into his life. He wants the Yid to always remember during good times and ח”ו… when doing Mitzvos and when ח”ו doing… at all times Hashem is there helping guide you through the challenge.

To the Alter Rebbe though, that realisation is only a half way point.

Because ones current challenge is not the absolute truth.

After all, the physical world is not true reality at all.

Absolute reality is Elokus.

So rather than focusing on the fact that Hashem is always supporting us, the Alter Rebbe teaches a Yid to focus on rising above the world.

To live at a state where there is no bad.

Anything other than that, as true and as inspiring as it may be, may cause the individual to stop at a lesser level of reality.

Focus diligently on אור אין סוף, and with time, עולם הזה החומרי will mean less.

Remembering that Hashem is with you in the challenge is certainly important and true. But it is not the ultimate truth. The absolute real truth, is that this challenge is not a challenge, and this hardship is not a hardship. Because everything is Elokus.

It may be much harder, take much longer, and on the outside look less ‘Geshmak’. But when ultimate truth is attained, the result is incomparably greater.

***

So what if a person trying to follow Derech Chabad, enjoys talking to the Riboinoi Shel Olam in the way that Reb Nachmon Breslover taught?

Telling Hashem about his day. The ups and the downs, his needs and achievements, makes him feel really good, and he leaves a session of Hisbodedus feeling so much more connected with הקב”ה.

Is there any reason they should not do it?

The answer is, that for him there is a very good reason not do it.

Because despite the holiness of the Derech, for an individual following the Derech of Chabad, placing your current life at the centre of your relationship, will distract from focussing on אור, on the worlds higher than עוה”ז החומרי.

Another example: Reb Nachmon, teaches that a person must do anything that will bring them joy.

What should one do when not joyful? Simple, says Reb Nachmon: Dance.

Dance and you’ll become happy.

The Alter Rebbe disagrees. Because the joy brought about by dancing is short-term and overall not real.

And allowing oneself the liberty of temporary solutions, will possibly cause a person to stop focusing on true change.

True joy is in the mind.

Not happy?

Stop and think.

Realise the falsehood of your sadness, discover how the very reason you are sad is folly.

And then think about the greatness of Elokus, and the fact that you can have such a deep connection to Hashem by doing Mitzvos.

That will bring real joy.

True, dancing and Hisbodedus feel good, they work, and יסודתם בהררי קודש. But it doesn’t fit your objective.

This very part of Torah, is in fact, a distraction to your objective.

***

Much of our Derech is explained.

And that which is not, are often the things we don’t do.

But we are not going to spend two weeks not doing something…

One thing however that we know as Mesora, but we do not know why we do it, is putting our hands together when saying Modeh Ani.

So for the next two weeks let us work on doing that.

You know why?

I have no idea.

But somehow it is a part of the puzzle of the Tafkid of my Neshoma.

And eating a Kugel for each Sefer Torah we take out, for some reason is not.