9730 —על הקריאה הנכונה של שאול ואבדון בתנ"ך

Based on what is written—Shalom u'Vrachah!—in the classic commentaries on Tanach, especially those of the mekubalim (Kabbalists), as well as in other places: always (Tehillim 32:2), Zohar III (page 285, section 2), it is understood that Tzel and Avadon—but according to what is written in Minchat Shai (as brought in Kitzur Minchat Levi on the verse)—there is also a ketiv here. There are those who say there is only 'Avadah' (even in the kri)—but, as mentioned above, this is contrary to what was previously stated (Shabbat 60, Zohar, etc. See also Eruvin 19a: 'seven names for Gehinnom'—though with difficulty one could say that Avadah and Avadon are equivalent). Another proof can be brought that according to all opinions the kri is Tzel Avadon from: 1) There is no parallel for 'Avadah.' 2) In Mishlei itself (15:11) everyone agrees it is written 'Sheol v'Avadon.'

In the Koren edition—it seems they followed the Kittel edition (Christian)—which mainly brought the opposite version from Chazal, and in a note—states that according to some opinions the kri is 'Avadon' (in Koren—in variant readings at its end).

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that when determining correct readings in Tanach, one should rely on traditional Jewish sources rather than modern editions influenced by external scholarship.