Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4072 — Chinuch
Volume 12 · Letter 268
B"H
28 Teves* 5716
Brooklyn
Greetings and blessings,
You are familiar with the explanation of our Sages (see letter no. 3417), according to which eight additional letters were added to the verse in order to say "which is not pure" (rather than "which is impure," regarding the animals that entered the ark of Noach*, in order to adopt a more refined formulation). And they indeed pose a very simple question on this subject: In the Sidros* of Shemini* and Re'eh*, is it not said, on several occasions, "impure" — without adding any letters? How then does Parshas* Noach* differ from the others in this regard?
The answer is as follows: The verse uses additional letters when it is relating a narrative. By contrast, when it indicates the conduct that should be adopted, it is stated in the most precise manner possible (even if a harsh word must be used). There is therefore an important lesson here from our holy Torah* — just as there is a lesson in adding letters when necessary (just as a refined expression is necessary in a narrative, precision must be sought when delivering a teaching).
This applies to your own situation as well, since the public at large is affected (by the action of the recipient of this letter) and since the matter at hand is the dissemination of the wellsprings of Chassidus* outward, which includes its teachings, its customs, and its practices.
ד'עב
ב"ה, כ"ח טבת, תשט"ז
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
...וכבר ידוע בפירוש מרז"ל שעקם הכתוב שמונה אותיות אשר איננה טהורה, והקושיא פשוטה שהרי כמה פעמים נאמר בפ' שמיני, וראה בפירוש טמאה מבלי עיקום, ומה נשתנה בפ' נח דוקא, והתירוץ שבספור דברים מעקם הכתוב כו', משא"כ כשנוגע למעשה צריכים להיות דברים ברורים, וגם זהו הוראת תוה"ק כמו ההוראה הנ"ל דעקם הכתוב, וגם בנדון דידן כן הוא כיון שנוגע לרבים ונוגע לענין הפצת המעיינות חוצה הכוללים תורת החסידות הדרכותי' ומנהגי'...
ד'עב
ידוע בפירוש מרז"ל: ראה גם לעיל חי"א אגרת ג'תיז.