What “Reforms” In Chinuch Are Acceptable?

Question: I am the assistant principal of a boys middle-school. One of my responsibilities is to run the davening. I have many “reforms” that I would like to implement to enhance the Davening. An example: The chazzan starts — like all minyanim — at Hodu. I’m pretty sure that the boys don’t say Karbanos properly and would love to institute that the chazzan should start from with Karbanos. Many people are wary of any change, and feel that it is against our Hashkafa to introduce such ideas. What is the Rebbe’s view on this matter?

 Answer: Before I share an amazing answer from the Rebbe on this topic, I want you to know that I personally identify strongly with your question. One of the things that we did in our Cincinnati Yeshiva is make two changes to the daily schedule:

(a) Instead of starting the day with Chassidus, we start the day with “Seder Brachos and Mezonos”. The reason was that when I was in Yeshiva, I saw so many bochurim rush to be on time for Seder and miss (or mumble through) Brachos and grab a piece of Mezonos.

(b) We established an official seder of “Krias Shema She’al Hamita” at night, with each bochur sitting with his hat and jacket in their assigned places. The reason: Many bochurim in Yeshivos skip or mumble through krias shema at night.

When I brought up these ideas to our Vaad Hachinuch, I encountered some resistance as they did not like any official change to the Seder HaYeshiva. They echoed the famous idiom of the Chasam Sofer, when battling the influence of the reform in his era, that “Chadash assur min haTorah – anything new is forbidden.” While I had felt that the changes that I was proposing were correct, I had to find a source in the teachings of the Rebbe.

In the course of my research, I saw the following letter which I feel answers your own question in a very direct way. The letter was written to the legendary Shliach and Rav, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht a”h. Rabbi and Mrs. Hecht were sent by the Rebbe Rayatz to Chicago in 5702 (1942), and he served there as rav until his untimely passing at the age of 61.

In 5712 (1952), he wrote a letter to the Rebbe asking if it was fine for his to institute two changes at his shul: Firstly, that the Chazzan should start Mincha from Korbanos, and likewise that on Erev Shabbos, the Chazzan should start from Hodu and Pasach Eliyahu. The reason for both changes was the same: When the Chazzan would start from Ashrei, many people would forget (or not have time to say) Korbanos and Hodu.

The Rebbe responded thus: “In regards to your question if it is possible to institute that the Chazzan should begin the daily Mincha prayer from Vayidaber (Korbanos) and on Friday from Hodu and Pasach Eliyahu in order that all the congregants will say it: Certainly it is a good idea as it will prevent people from forgetting these parts of davening.

The Rebbe then adds (to refute the claim that “Chadash assur min haTorah): “This type of ‘Chadash’ — new ‘reforms’ that will enhance the davening — is in fact obligated by the Torah”! (Igros, Vol. 6 p. 321; #1826).

[On the topic of the Rebbe addressing the concept of “Chadash assur min haTorah”, see the Rebbe’s response (in a letter dated 13 Iyar, 5730) when there were those that were using that approach in coming out against celebrating Lag B’Omer. (Igros, Vol. 26 p. 128; #9762)]