Tefilah is avoda sh’b’lev – emotional avodah. It is difficult to remain still when being emotional. The chassidic world, specifically the Polish chassidim were exremely emotional during davening, both in body movement, clapping, crying out etc. At the time, the “Litvish” world looked at this strange and felt it was improper. Today many Litvish trace their roots to Chassidim and have adopted many Chassidic customs including the shokelling and waving hands upwards during shmonei esrei etc. (not to mention “Tzadikim pictures” on Litvish walls, which years ago Litvish would mock Chassidim over – as borderline avoda zara!). Lubavitch is more of an “intellectual” chassidus, rather than emotional chassidus. Hence minimal shokeling, outcries etc. I saw video of the Rebbe davening shmonei esrei standing perfectly still – like a servant before his Master (very moving and inspiring!).
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