[Avodah] Zeikher-Tekher (was: Z"L in English)

[Arie Folger]

RMB wrote:
> The whole think about repeating a pasuq of parashas Zachor arises from
> this issue. The Gra made a distinction between "zecher" and "zeicher",
> that one is a memory, and the other a memorial, a reminder, or a
> mention. Since the parashah begins "zechor" and ends "al tishqach",
> the duty must be to obliterate all mention (verbal and physical) of
> Amaleiq, not all memory. His talmidim were mesupaqim which means
> which, leaving them debating as to which the Gaon was maqpid on
> saying.

Eh, I have seen this posted repeatedly. For the record, I'd like to mention 
that this is debatable. Rav 'Haim Volozhiner disputed that the Gra said 
Zekher. He does so in the introduction to the sefer that made the original 
claim that the Gra said Zekher (w. segol). It is only subsequently that some, 
such as the MB, suggested to follow both.

Again, for the record, during about 14 years we changed our minhag from saying 
only zekher to doing both. BH, with the support of my illustrious and great 
predecessor - the highly praised TC, world renowned specialist in all 
halakhic issues regarding animals, shlit"a - who had regretted introducing 
this reform, I turned the clock back and we now say teikher only. Prior to 
ruling on this matter I did some research and could find no serious support 
for zekher. (I don't mean to imply that the MB isn't a serious work, CV, it 
obviously is, but in this matter, his pessaq/suggestion was based on lack of 
information)

The one grammarian/massoretic specialist I spoke to, Rav Breuer, was obviously 
100% against this reform, and his article on the matter is available here: 
http://www.herzog.ac.il/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=739&Itemid=657

Just scroll down to the second part (beit)

Interestingly, those whom I consulted who were against the change admitted not 
having a clue about the matter. As one posseq told me: "I am not a 
grammarian."

-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com