In a handwritten ledger of one of the chassidim of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch, a statement of the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi is found:[1]
“This that the Zohar (Tikunei Zoharm 99b) states: ‘all is dependent on mazal,[2]‘ is true even concerning mitzvos. Each mitzvah has its mazal.”
“In one place people are particularly meticulous concerning certain mitzvos, while they can be lax with another—even if it is a biblical prohibition.”
“For example, German Jewry is not particularly careful concerning the prohibition of shaving, but are extremely scrupulous about the laws pertaining to charging interest. On the other hand, Russian Jewry is the diametric opposite. They are careful not to touch their beards in any manner, however are considerably negligent about charging interest.”
We often judge people using our own standards. We must be careful to realize that though there may be things that we are stringent in that our neighbor may be lax in, the same is the other way around that our neighbor is more careful in other commandments.
[1] Migdal Oz, Pg. 184
[2] Literally one’s zodiac. Although generally translated as luck, according to Kabbalah it means a spiritual source.
