(c) Apr 18 2001 RashiYomi Inc. MY COLLECTED & INDEXED MAIL JEWISH POSTINGS-Ver #1
Individual Postings 1st appeared(& were copied in html form) on the Email List Mail Jewish

From: rhendel@king.mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Mon, 13 May 1996 12:49:57 -0400
Subject: Impecability of Torah Texts

I am responding to [Oren Vol 23 # 92] who asserts that Torah texts as we
have them were occasionally changed (the so called Tikunay sofrim).

First of all it is my understanding that it is doctrinal to believe that
the torah that we now have was transmitted to Moses on Sinai (language
of the Rambam in the 13 articles of faith).  In other words the
impecability of the Mesorah is doctrinal (I would appreciate it explicit
halachic sources from people if they think this is not true).

Second, with regard to the tikunay sofrim--there is a commentary that
deals with matters of mesorah--the minchas shai--who incidentally, for
those who have not yet had the treat of reading him, often brings
midrashic pearsl to defend various texts.  He of course deals with the
so called 18 tikunay sofrim and assures us that the text was never
changed (he does not repeat this on all 18 occurrences but frequently
cross references the tikun sofrim in Teray Asar).

At the very least there is an opinion that tikunay sofrim does not imply
change of text.

To the best of my knowledge there are no variants in text except the
following: (1) about 1-2 dozen one letter variations in all of Tenach
(pesuah dacah with an aleph or hay, or e.g. bishnaim or lishnaim in
Megillath esther). (2) controversy on full and deficient spellings (3)
controversy on cantillations and hypenations.

Again, I am well aware of the literature so what I would like are
*halachick& sources (from respected rishonim or the shulchan aruch or
known poskim among the acharonim) who seriously disagree with what I
have just said.

Russell Jay Hendel, Ph.d. ASA, rhendel @ mcs . drexel . edu