"Please have rachmanus on them and do not delay making Kiddush by even a moment"

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rav Yisrael Hager, is a fiery defender of minhag, often exhorting the chassidim to cherish and safeguard the customs of their fathers. But last week, he did the opposite.

At Seudah Shlishis, the Rebbe spoke about the minhag certain chassidim have not to recite Kiddush between the hours of six and seven p.m. on Leil Shabbos, because of kabbalistic considerations pertaining to the mazalos, the celestial influences dominant at that time of day.

“But next Erev Shabbos is a fast day, Asarah b’Teves, and your families will be hungry when you come home from shul,” the Rebbe said. “I urge you, please have rachmanus on them and do not delay making Kiddush by even a moment…”

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 841)