What's More Important? Law or Custom?
Fotheringay-Phipps has posted an interesting story about the late Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, on Hirhurim:
A guy I know worked for an accounting firm in the 50's or 60's (probably the latter) and was sent to audit the Lubavitch enterprises at 770. For a while he was working on-site at 770. One time the rebbe came through the main office en route to his private office. My friend did not stand up. The rebbe passed into his office, and my friend could hear a buzzing in the office getting louder and louder. Finally the rebbe sent his secretary out to summon my friend into his office. He asked about the not standing up. My friend pointed out that the Mishne says that a worker at work does not stand up for a talmid chochom - only for a person doing a mitzva (e.g. bring bikurim). The rebbe said he understands "but that's halacha - these are chassidim". He suggested that my friend ask his employer for permission to stand up when he came in.
Who can beleive anything from a guy with such a weird name!!!
Posted by: Twistelton-Twistelton | January 13, 2005 at 11:18 PM
And you believe this guy? HA! Never in a million years!
Posted by: Eli Chabad | January 24, 2005 at 08:35 PM
It's a lishitaso for Mr. Mrs? "fothingray-phipps"
Posted by: Moshe | February 26, 2005 at 08:07 PM
You do not need this story to prove the point. It is a well known sicha in the Hagada.
Chabad says Matbilin first, before Matza, Maror and mesubin in the four questions to emphasize that the custom is more central to the education of the child than even the Mitzva D'Oraisa.
Posted by: rebeljew | March 15, 2005 at 10:24 PM