[Avodah] Fighting To Be Chazan?

[Prof. Levine]

 From http://revach.net/article.php?id=2684

Parshas Re'eh: Fighting To Be Chazan?

  "Lo Sisgodidu" The simple meaning of the pasuk is that one should 
not make scrapes in his body when mourning over a dead person. The 
Gemara also learns from these words - "Lo Saasu Agudos Agudos; Do not 
make Klal Yisrael into many different groups by having Divergent 
Halachic Practices. What is the connection between the simple 
meaning, which concerns mourning, and the Drash, which has to do with 
the unity of Klal Yisrael?

Some say pshat that we find that when it comes to Availus each person 
tries to show that he is in greater mourning than another person. 
This can  bring us to Machlokes; when for example 2 people want to 
Daven for the Amud, or when 2 people have Yahrtzeit and each one 
feels that his Availus is more important. For this reason we connect 
the 2 Limudim of the pasuk "Lo Sisgodidu". When mourning, do not 
cause separation and Machlokes in Klal Yisroel. This can also be the 
reason why concerning Availus we go according to the Maikel - in 
order to lessen strife and Machlokes among the Jewish nation.

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Although I am sure that the above writer did not have this in mind 
when he wrote, "Do not make Klal Yisrael into many different groups 
by having Divergent Halachic Practices."  to me this brings to mind 
the practice that seems to have become increasingly common today of 
making more than one minyan if there are two or more chiyuvim.  How 
do those who do this reconcile this practice with the principle 
of  B'rov Am Hadras Melech?

I have seen the following in a Shteibel not far from me. Given that 
some have the custom to daven Maariv on Motzie Shabbos if they have 
yahrtzeit during the following week,  it can turn out that at times 
there are as many as 10 different minyanim for Maariv Motzie 
Shabbos.  Furthermore, more than one of them will be conducted in the 
same room!

Again, I have to ask, "What is the justification and basis for this?"

Let me add the following personal story.  When I was an avel I always 
davened for the Amud on Motzie Shabbos in a minyan that met in a 
separate area that was closed off from the main shul area by a 
movable partition.  One Motzie Shabbos as I stepped up to the Amud to 
daven, a fellow said to me, "I have Yahrtzeit."  I, of 
course,  stepped  back and indicated that he should daven for the 
Amud.  After Aleinu I began to say kaddish and this fellow did 
not.  After concluding kaddish, I said to him, "You did not say 
kaddish!"  He replied, "I have Yahrtzeit during the week."  I looked 
at him incredulously and said, "You bumped me for that?  I am a 
chiyuv that certainly takes precedence over you!"  He had no answer.

Yitzchok Levine 
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