While the Lubavitch has its own traditional pronunciation of davening, the Rebbe often emphasized the need to focus on what matters most.

In a yechidus with R’ Shmuel Gurevitch of Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe discussed the pronunciation for use at his school:

“There’s no reason to wage a holy war against teaching with a Sephardic pronunciation, since in Eretz Yisroel there are Chabad institutions that use it.

“Obviously,” the Rebbe added, “if all factors are equal, it is certainly preferable that they teach with the Ashkenazic pronunciation. Nevertheless, if it will lead to machlokes or some will pull out their daughters as a result, it’s not worth it.”

In a similar vein, when R’ Chaim Noach Maatuf noted that a certain Chabad shul davened with the Yemenite accent, the Rebbe said:

“Every pronunciation has a lofty source Above, and it’s not important which one is used for davening. The main thing is to use a uniform pronunciation and not change.”

The Rebbe explained that sticking to a pronunciation with which one is comfortable allows one to focus on the davening, whereas altering the pronunciation can cause confusion

Yet, when there was reason to change, the Rebbe encouraged that.

As a chosson, R’ Chaim Melul of France asked the Rebbe about changing since his kallah was from an Ashkenazi background. The Rebbe encouraged him:

“Since Chassidus, Shulchan Aruch, and Torah say that there is no problem with changing one’s pronunciation, [you should do so -] so that it won’t create confusion for the children.”