2800 —בדיקת טעויות נוספות בספר תורה עם כתב בלתי רגיל

B"H, 11 Tammuz, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Moreinu Harav Shmuel Aba Snieg

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your two letters from the 4th of Tammuz, in which you write about the ancient Sefer Torah found in the large synagogue where you pray. During the Torah reading in Parshas Behaaloscha, it was noticed that there are no reversed nuns between the sections; instead, the nun of 'u'vinsoa' and the second nun of 'k'misonenim' are enlarged. Also, there are many oversized letters in this Sefer Torah, and it is said that every letter of the alef-beis appears as an oversized letter within it. You ask for my opinion on this.

Regarding such an opinion—that the second nun of 'k'misonenim' should be enlarged—I have not found this anywhere (the opinions are collected in Sefer Meir Einei Sofrim section 14; see also Mishnas Avraham section 24). What you wrote in your letter that this follows the view of Maharshal: as quoted in Sefer Meir Einei Sofrim above, Maharshal only refers to the first nun of 'k'misonenim', not the second.

Since these need to be corrected, they should be fixed as required initially: namely, to make reversed nuns in the space between the sections, and all other nuns should be as per our current custom.

Furthermore, since other irregularities were found in this Sefer Torah—such as with these oversized letters—according to what is written in Shaarei Ephraim section 5:18, one should check for additional errors since the scribe deviated from accepted practice.

The pan (petition) enclosed in your letter I will read at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal.

Enclosed is a list about 'The Continuation of Imprisonment,' which was published for Yud-Beis and Yud-Gimmel Tammuz—the upcoming Festival of Redemption. In these auspicious days—the days of redemption of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal, head of Israel—may Hashem grant success to each individual so that "the body follows after the head," and henceforth obstacles to spreading Judaism in general and supporting and expanding those activities and institutions where my father-in-law invested effort will decrease and cease entirely. May we walk in his paths—may he protect us.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that when a scribe deviates from standard practice in a Sefer Torah—even if only regarding script style—it is necessary to check thoroughly for other possible errors. This underscores vigilance and care when handling sacred objects and traditions.