Monkeys

Rabbi Dude says:

There is a story of a visitor to a certain synagogue in Israel who noted with amusement that, on Simhat Tora, each person would bow as he passed a certain point in the hakafot. Curious as to the meaning behind this foreign-to-him custom, he inquired of one of the regular congregants, who was quite unable to answer the question.
"I don’t know; that’s just the way it’s always been done here."
The visitor and regular together went around asking the other regulars whether they knew the significance behind the custom.
"I don’t know; I just remember that it’s always been that way. That’s just what we do."
Until one regular suggested they speak to the oldest member of the congregation who might have an idea.
"Did you always used to bow during hakafot?"
"Yes."
"Do you know how the practice originated?"
"Sure."
Finally! A breakthrough! And the chance to glimpse into the minds of the great rabbis who instituted such a deep and meaningful custom....
"How?"
"In the original building back in the Old Country there was a low beam in the ceiling."

There are those who do what they do only because it’s what they’ve always seen done. Or what they’ve always been told was right. No-one can come up with a fresh idea or start a new practice or be in any way the slightest bit different for fear of disturbing the status in quo. No-one thinks for himself....
Have you ever heard the expression "Monkey see, monkey do"?