Blessing children on Friday night, why not in Chabad?

[int999]

On the internet I saw the explanation that it's reserved for erev Yom Kippur.

But is there a reason why Chabad doesn't say it every Friday night? What harm can it do?

[Torah613]

No harm. Just isn't the minhog.

[int999]

So if I want to do it, I can? Nothing wrong with it?

[Torah613]

Nothing "wrong", just not minhog Chabad.

[int999]

Originally Posted by Torah613

Nothing "wrong", just not minhog Chabad.

Yeah, but there must be a reason why it's not minhog Chabad. It's not 'just because', with no explanation whatsoever.

[Torah613]

Fine, so don't do it if you are worried.

Every family (or rather: many/most) has minhogim, hanhogos etc. that do not fall under the label of "minhag Chabad", even though these were not done in "Chabad" - (meaning Beis Horav - there were no specific "minhogei Chabad" otherwise) - for whatever reason. Nothing at all wrong with that. Unless there was a specific hakpodo (for a specific reason) not to do something, of which I am not aware of in this case. And even then, you will surprised how many have such minhogim - even in so-called shpitz families.

Again, if it bothers you, don't do it.

I see now that this was touched upon slightly in this thread, see http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/showthread.php3?t=3045. Nothing realy new there, however.

[shoyn]

heard from rabbi shochet from london, as a young boy he entered yechidus with his father rabbi immanuel and his father told him beforehand that rabbi jnr would receive a 'bentch' from the Rebbe.

rabbi immanuel, due to his or his wifes background was accustomed to bentching his children friday night and therefore his son understood that the 'bentch' he would receive from the Rebbe would consist of the Rebbe putting his hands on his head, yesimcho etc.

when the young boy didnt receive his bentch he cried and couldnt be consoled. the Rebbe asked what is the matter and the father explained his sons disappointment.

the Rebbe said 'vos brengs du naye minhogim in lubavitch (why are you introducing new customs in ;ubavitch)? (loshon may not be 100% precise, but something to that effect)

nevertheless the Rebbe obliged and gave the young child his bentch.

[Torah613]

Originally Posted by shoyn

the Rebbe said 'vos brengs du naye minhogim in lubavitch (why are you introducing new customs in ;ubavitch)? (loshon may not be 100% precise, but something to that effect)

One has to know the manner it was said (with a smile, with humour, seriously, etc.), no? Did Rabbi Schochet stop afterward?

[shoyn]

the way he recounted the story, it sounded like the Rebbe said it very seriously, but if someone can check with father or son?

[Torah613]

Better to ask the father, not the son, as I doubt he remembers properly.

[mrw565]

I asked Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet - the story is basically as stated above.
And the family continue to bless their children Friday nights...

(I am a BT to Chabad and I also do it as my father did it) Have been told off by "gezha" chasidim in the past but nobody can explain why we DON'T do it when it is minhag haolam.