Many minhaggim are simply "spiritual enhancers" EG: Tashlich Selichos Shir Hashirim erev Shabbos Qabbalas Shabbos Tiqqun layl Shavuos Tevilah for men (see more) >> RYBS disagrees about selichot and feels it goes back to the geonim and probably even to chazal (i.e. R.Yochanan) -- Eli Turkel