Praying According To Your Nusach

Nusach means "version" and refers to the wording and style of prayer. Sephardi and Ashkenazi nusachim subdivide into groups such as Iraqi, Syrian, Italian, and even English.

Rabbi Isaac Luria (the 16th-century kabbalist) taught that the nusachim reflected different ways of reaching God and were all needed.

Moreover, the Talmud warns, "Be vigilant concerning the tradition of your forefathers," which implies an obligation to adhere to your inherited nusach (Beitza 4b).

However, in the 18th century many Ashkenazi Chasidim switched to Nusach Sepharad, as they wished to pray like the Rabbi Isaac Luria, who was Sephardi. Some rabbis were scandalised by this change but many supported it.

In 1963, The Chief Rabbi of the Israel Defence Forces, Rabbi Shlomo Goren, introduced the Unified Nusach. It never caught on. People felt that it was artificial, and not a natural development of the Ingathering of the Exiles.

Today, most rabbis rule that if there is a nusach that particularly moves us, we should adopt it. Making prayer a meaningful experience is more important than maintaining the nusach of your ancestors.

Source: animals-and-shamanism.blogspot.com