Latecomers Skipping For Tefillah Betzibbur - The Chasm Between Chasidim & Non-Chasidim

 I have long been aware, of course, that the issue of skipping parts of davening to catch up to and daven "שמונה עשרה" (aka "the amidah") with the tzibbur, is a case where Chasidim and Non-Chasidim differ. Non-Chasidim follow the Shulchan Aruch in אורח חיים סימן נב, which prescribes omitting specific sections for latecomers to catch up to the congregation. Even the Chasidic Shulchan Aruch, the Chabad-Lubavitch שולחן ערוך הרב, of the first Rebbe of the group, also says that one should skip in such a case. 

However, practically speaking, widespread Chasidic practice differs from that, holding that the regular order of tefillah should be followed, even at the cost of davening Shemoneh Esrei alone, missing that תפילה בציבור. They claim that changing the order is מהפך הצינורות (cf the old Yiddish expression פארדרייט די יוצרות).

I just learned more about this issue via a recent post at a Chabad-Lubavitch website. There, not surprisingly, it is reported that they staked out an extreme position on this, encouraged by their late last leader, who gave a reason for it based on a teaching in the foundational Tanya work of their faith, that claims that in later generations tefillah is the main avodah and its details are more important to be followed.

Of course, non-Chasidim, generally stick to the Shulchan Aruch on this. This idea that tefillah is the main avodah now is not theirs, and they don't change halachah for such a notion. They stand firm for the old hierarchy of values, with תלמוד תורה maintaining its high and central position, along with קיום המצות. Thereby they gain the koach of תפילה בציבור, and also align with the teaching in שולחן ערוך אורח חיים סימן א, that טוב מעט בכוונה מהרבות בלא כוונה. Intent and understanding is prioritized above verbiage.

Summing up: While Non-Chasidim stress basic traditional tefillah betzibur and kavannah, Chassidim, to a great extent, prioritize Kabbalistic theories about prayer.

In this zechus of proper תפילות, may we be זוכה that they be accepted favorably on high.

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