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<font size=3>Parshas Re'eh: Fighting To Be Chazan?<br><br>
"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? <br><br>
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. <br>
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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? <br><br>
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! <br><br>
Again, I have to ask, "What is the justification and basis for
this?"<br><br>
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. <br>
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Yitzchok Levine</font></body>
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