There was an ongoing dispute between the two Chassidic leaders, the holy Tzaddik Rav Boruch of Mezhibuzh, the biological grandson and heir of the holy Ba’al Shem Tov, and his rival, the holy Tzaddik Rav Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad and mechaber of the sefer HaTanya, who considered himself a spiritual grandson and heir of the Ba’al Shem Tov by virtue of being a talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch, the Ba’al Shem’s successor. Their rivalry was holy, profound and ran deeper than we can ever understand. Who can claim to really know the true reasons behind their machlokes?
The Ba’al HaTanya once traveled on a pilgrimage to Mezhibuzh, where he davened at the tziun of the holy Ba’al Shem Tov, and afterward he went to visit Rav Boruch. Their dispute was well known and Rav Boruch openly challenged some of the practices that the founder of Chabad held, including the custom to refrain from reciting Veshomru in Friday night davening before Maariv.
“Why do you not recite Veshomru in the Maariv of Shabbos?” asked Rav Boruch.
“And where does it state the one must recite Veshomru?” replied Rav Schneur Zalman.
[Despite the custom, neither of the two most recognized authorities, the Shulchon Aruch and the Rema, rules that one recites Veshomru.]
At this point, Rav Yosef of Yampola, who was present, interjected to defend his mechuton, Rav Boruch, by saying, “Surely your honor knows that in Heaven there is a great gathering like a festive fair, when Bnei Yisrael recite Veshomru, so how can your honor ask where it says one must recite Veshomru?”
The Ba’al HaTanya remained unfazed and defended his own stance, replying, “And who says that you have to attend every fair? Some you attend and others not!” (Based on Botzina DeNehora p. 12b, Mekor Boruch 12b, Toras HaMaggid MiZlotshuv Vol. 1 p. 121.)
