408 —הבהרות על גרסאות טקסט בתניא ותורת חב"ד על תארי אלוקות

B"H, 8 Tishrei, 5709.

Shalom u'Vrachah! [Aseres Yemei Teshuvah 5709]

With a blessing for inscription and sealing for a good year and success in all matters.

P.S. Regarding what you wrote in your letter: (a) Seemingly, in Sefer HaYichud VehaEmunah at the end of chapter (page 8, line 10), it should read "shemadregat" (its level), G‑d forbid—so I also noted in my comments to Tanya—and I added that it should also read so, seemingly, there on line 11. Clarifying this is difficult because there is no original manuscript, and this passage was first printed in the Tanya edition of 5660 (1900), and apparently from the editor's introduction, it was copied. In contrast to there (page 88b, line three from the bottom), where it seems to me it should read "mimadregat" (from the level)—I later found that this is also how Rabbi Asher Shoeb's edition of Tanya reads (which is with Rabbi Kazarnovsky—his son-in-law).

(b) Regarding one of the letter exchanges—I've noted and explained my opinion—in Kuntres Yud Beis Tammuz page 6, and in Kovetz Lubavitch (a booklet currently being printed).

(c) That all our knowledge of Elokus is by negation—there is a well-known debate among Jewish scholars (and also non-Jewish scholars) about whether the attributes of the Holy One are negative or also positive; Chabad teaching rules that both have a place, and even a third: absolute negation. See Likkutei Torah's commentary to Devarim HaMaskil Pekudei; Devarim HaMaskil Lech Lecha 5666; Teku Atar; Pe'er Bifnim 5693; and more. All this concerns only the intellectual aspect, but He is grasped through will and delight—see Devarim HaMaskil Lech Lecha mentioned above.

This was printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. XIX p.440 and edited according to a copy from the secretariat (not an autograph). It is a card for a good year blessing to Reb Shneur Zalman Schneerson. "Ch"V" = missing vav. From a copy: see also Likkutei Amarim first edition p.472-3. And in Kovetz Lubavitch: booklet XI, which was copied above vol. II letter 220. The booklet currently being printed: it was published in summer 5709 and included there also a letter written on the third day of Chanukah 5709 (see below in notes to letters 429–430). Even though the date of the booklet is Yud-Tes Kislev–9 Adar 5706 (see note to letter 219 above vol. II).

Summary

The Rebbe demonstrates careful attention to textual accuracy in Tanya while highlighting Chabad’s nuanced approach to Divine attributes—affirming both positive and negative descriptions within proper context—and underscores the importance of scholarly diligence when clarifying foundational texts.