222 —כתיב נוצר ורצון בספר התניא ובמקורות התורה

Shalom u'Vrachah! In Iggeres HaKodesh (section 28): Tikkun and Notzer are the letters of Ratzon. My question: a) Notzer is missing a vav. b) In Shemos (34:7) it says Notzer Chesed without the extra vav. Answer. a) There are two explanations: 1. We also find in scripture Ratzon written without a vav. For example, in Bereishis 46:6. According to the Masorah, in Daniel 8:4 it is found in Tanach eight times without a vav. Similarly, Notzer is found with a vav (Mishlei 28:7; II Melachim 17:9; ibid. 18:8). Therefore, it is obvious that one can say that these letters are as the letters—whether they are missing or full with a vav. And from what is written elsewhere that Notzer and Ratzon have the same gematria as Moshe—with the kolel—(Pri Etz Chaim Shaar HaSelichos ch.8, Shaar HaKavanos and there), Shemo Mekor (Meorei Or entry Moshe)—it is proven that they took Notzer and Ratzon full with a vav. 2. It is known there is a dispute whether we follow the reading or the tradition or both together (Kiddushin 18b and elsewhere), but where they do not contradict we expound both (Tosafos d.h. VeRabbi Sukkah 6b etc.). And so too here, it is obvious that we follow the reading.

b) Regarding your question that in scripture it says Notzer without an extra vav at its start—it is true that in Iggeres HaKodesh section 25 and elsewhere in Chassidus it says "VeNotzer," but I saw in the earliest printings of Iggeres HaKodesh, all of them write "Notzer" without an extra vav. In my opinion, this should be corrected also in Tanya editions from Tarsov onward. Otherwise, the wording in this Iggeres HaKodesh needs clarification and correction. For example, where it says: The eighth etc., is Tikkun Notzer—the letters of Ratzon—and it too is an Eis Ratzon (a time of favor). Needs clarification: a) The word "etc." is unclear. b) Twice afterward when mentioning "Notzer," he also adds the word "Chesed." But at first he wrote just "VeNotzer." And actually, it should be the opposite. c) The word "also" is unclear. In earlier printings it reads correctly: The eighth is Tikkun Notzer Chesed—notzer—the letters of Ratzon—and it is Eis Ratzon... Because Mazal Notzer Chesed comes from Mocha Stima'a d'Arich Anpin—and this fits well. Apparently, later printings omitted from "Notzer" until "Notzer." Perhaps one can say that since people commonly say about the lower mazal "VeNakeh" with a vav—they also wrote about the upper mazal "VeNotzer" with a vav as well. See note to section 219 above.

10) In Torah Or (discourse Mera'ehem U'Ma'asehem), Likkutei Torah (commentary to Vayidaber... Rashei HaMatos ch.3), etc., it brings that Notzer has the same letters as Tzinor and as Ratzon—without citing a source. For now I have found this in Kisvei HaAriZal in Likutei Torah (Parshas Toldos and Parshas Ki Sisa and parallel places in Sefer HaLikutim) and Pri Etz Chaim (Shaar HaSelichos ch.8; parallel places in Shaar HaKavanos and by AriZal), that Notzer has the same letters as Ratzon; and in Mikdash Melech on Zohar II p.156a, and Zohar HaRakia on Zohar I [50a] cited in Likkutei Torah discourse Es Karbani Lachmi—the second—end of section), that Tzinor has the same letters as Ratzon.

11) It should be noted regarding something similar to our case—that Chazal said (Bamidbar Rabbah ch.18 sec.21; Tanchuma there; cited by Rashi at end of Parshas Shelach): Tzitzis—the Rabbis taught—in every place tzitzis is written missing its final yud; as Tosafos d.h. Lo (Menachos 39a) and Ramban on Torah ask; Mizrachi cited by Minchas Shai there answers that we follow kri; see also what Gizat Chemed vol.Rakaz p.1 answers that the chirik vowel fills for the yud; Tosafos' answer there; all opinions are brought by Minchas Shai there.

Summary

This letter explores how spelling variations affect interpretation of words like 'Notzer' and 'Ratzon' across Torah texts, emphasizing careful attention to textual tradition when studying classic sources such as Tanya.