Question:
Why is it that Chabad does not recite Veshamru on Friday night after Shemoneh Esrei, even though it appears in many Siddurim and is recited by many communities?
Answer:
The Chabad custom is not to recite Veshamru after the Friday night Shemoneh Esrei. The reason given is that those who do not say Baruch Hashem Le’olam during weekday Maariv due to the concern of making an interruption between Geulah and Tefillah should likewise not interrupt with verses on Shabbos, Yom Tov, Rosh Hashanah, or Yom Kippur.
Although the Alter Rebbe’s Siddur prints the verses of Veshamru, his accompanying notes explain that he first states the reason not to say them, due to the concern of interruption. A further tradition explains that the verses were nevertheless included in the Siddur out of respect for Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who greatly valued saying Veshamru.
The tradition relates that Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev once asked the Alter Rebbe why he had omitted Veshamru. Rav Levi Yitzchak explained that when the Jewish people recite Veshamru on Friday night, a great “fair” or spiritual gathering takes place in Heaven. Why, then, should this recital be omitted?
The Alter Rebbe responded: “From semichas geulah l’tefillah there is also a great fair in Heaven, and it is impossible to attend all the fairs.”
Nonetheless, out of respect for Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and his great affection for the recital of Veshamru, the Alter Rebbe agreed to include the verses in the Siddur, even though the Chabad custom remained not to recite them.
The Rebbe likewise strongly emphasized that the custom of Anash for generations is not to say Veshamru. In a letter, the Rebbe expressed surprise at someone who wrote that he says Veshamru, calling it the opposite of the longstanding custom of Anash, and stated that the person’s explanation was insufficient to justify acting contrary to the conduct taught by the Rebbeim.
One should follow this custom even when davening in a shul where the congregation says Veshamru. There is no concern of Lo Sisgodedu in such a case, just as the Tzemach Tzedek ruled regarding a person who does not say Yiru Eineinu in a congregation that does say it. The Rebbe likewise ruled practically that this applies even to one who is leading the prayers, provided that this will not cause dispute or strife.
Accordingly, the Chabad practice is to omit Veshamru on Friday night, even when davening with another minyan, and even when serving as chazzan, unless doing so would cause conflict.
Sources:
Admur 267:6; Siddur Rabbeinu Hazaken before Shemoneh Esrei of Maariv of Shabbos; Tur 267; Machzor Vitri 155; Hamanhig Hilchos Shabbos 3; Abudarham; Sources and notes of Rav Raskin on the Siddur, pp. 265–266; Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe, Vol. 17 p. 221 and onward; Vol. 2:103 and 170; Shaarei Halacha Uminhag, Vol. 1 p. 263 and onward; Piskei Dinim of the Tzemach Tzedek to O.C. 236; Shaar Hakollel 17:24; Ketzos Hashulchan 77 note 23.; Piskei Hasiddur 128; Yimei Melech 2:698; Koveitz Pardes Chabad Vol. 7:122; 10:198; Heichal Besht 3:135