The Gemoro at the bottom of 103b brings a proof that an Open Mem (normal) written as a Closed Mem (final) is kosher, from the fact that a remez to the word "Mayim" is brought from three letters in the Torah, where the two Mem's are written Closed (final). Since one of these Closed mems is required in the remez for an Open mem (the first letter of Mayim), the proof is brought and accepted.
I find this rather strange! This is only a remez, a drosho, and yet the Gemoro accepts it as a proof. Any comment?
Meir Eliezer Bergman
Manchester UK
The Teshuvos Shtei ha'Lechem (#29, authored by the Maharam Chagiz) was asked this very question. He answered that the extra letters in these Pesukim are openly and extremely set aside for derivation. This is clear from the fact that there is literally no other reason that all the other days of Sukos should have a different spelling regarding the same exact topic. Accordingly, it is possible to say that every aspect of the Pasuk is supposed to be derived, including the fact that the Mem at the end is closed when it is meant to be derived in an open fashion.
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose