Editing Minhag (Custom) (section)

== The Attitude Toward Customs in Chabad Teachings ==
The first source that explicitly discusses the Torah importance of Jewish minhagim is Tosafot in Tractate Menachot: "The custom of Israel is Torah." However, minhagim were mentioned long before this, for example, in the language of the Mishna: "In a place where the custom is..."

Regarding why indeed a Jewish custom is Torah, we find several explanations. The Rashba writes that a custom that exists even among elders or elderly women should not be nullified, since it must have a source that goes back to Moses. In the responsa of Rabbi Yaakov Chagiz, the reason is given that surely Hashem would not allow an incorrect custom to spread among all the members of His people, and therefore a custom that has spread is certainly authentic.

In Chabad Chassidut, minhag has earned a place of honor, and our Rebbeim related to it with sacred reverence.

The Rebbe especially emphasizes the importance that should be attributed to Jewish customs in the field of education, and that one should begin educating a child on the foundations of minhag since there is a clear educational message for the child, establishing the sacred relationship to Jewish customs at the top of his value system.

The attitude toward the importance of minhagim was not limited to the realm of thought and instruction alone, but there were cases where Jewish leaders sacrificed themselves to prevent gentiles from harming the traditional customs of the Jewish people. At the rabbinical assembly that took place in the year 5603 (1843), the Tzemach Tzedek was arrested 21 times and actually sacrificed himself to prevent government legislation that would interfere with the observance and preservation of these customs.

==== The Attitude Toward Chabad Customs ====
Among the customs themselves, our Rebbeim attributed enormous importance to the customs instituted by the leaders of Chassidic teachings, and expressed that observing them increases fear of Heaven, and in certain aspects, is even more important than observing the bounds of halacha itself.

The Frierdiker Rebbe said: "Lubavitch customs are based not only on halacha or on beautifying a mitzvah, but also on spiritual matters that affect the soul. They establish the general mindset of a Jew on a foundation of avodah, so that he and his household are illuminated with the spirit of purity that the customs bring with them."

The importance given to the customs of Chassidim went so far as self-sacrifice, because "with these customs the Jews will receive Moshiach Tzidkeinu."

==== The Attitude Toward Customs That Are Not Chabad Customs ====
Despite the great sanctity of Jewish customs, Chabad Chassidim are careful to practice only customs that have an explicit tradition from our Rebbeim or from what is accepted among Chassidim and the like, and not to hold onto customs of other courts and communities.

This attitude is drawn from the attitude of our Rebbeim to these customs.

Among other things, in Chassidic tradition it is told about the Rebbe Maharash who absolutely rejected the observance of additional customs that are not accepted among Chabad Chassidim in connection with a house dedication.

Along with this, we find that our Rebbeim explained (also according to Chassidut) customs that are not practiced in Chabad (such as reciting Shir HaShirim on Friday evening), and the Rebbe even made a special index for the book Likkutei Torah on customs that are not practiced in Chabad that were explained by the Alter Rebbe in this book.

We also find that on rare occasions and for special reasons, our leaders and their families did practice these customs, for example, singing Shabbat zemirot at the Shabbat meal.

Additionally, the Rebbe instructed several times to Chassidim who had come closer from other circles not to abandon their ancestral customs, and commanded their educators and mashpi'im not to interfere with them practicing as they had before becoming closer to Chabad.

==== Creating New Customs ====
The Rebbe was very opposed to creating new customs that had never been practiced in Jewish communities, to the extent that he expressed: "One should refrain greatly, especially in our generation, from instituting new customs - until a solid foundation is found for them in our Torah, the Torah of life, and in the style of our Sages: anyone who adds to this - detracts from the endearment and importance of accepted Jewish customs, which are Torah."

But along with this, the Rebbe added new customs, to the point that sometimes the Rebbe speaks about a custom that he instituted, and says about it "as they have recently practiced in the Jewish people" (such as interpreting the acronym of the year in connection with redemption).