View source for User:Sputnikcccp/Hebrew Alphabet

==Template for Hebrew Letter==

*Intro:
*[[Info-box]]
*[[Letter]] is the [[number]]th letter of many Semitic alphabets, including Phoenician, Hebrew, and Aramaic. It has the sound of English [english sound]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek letter]], [[Latin alphabet| Latin letter]] and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].
*Origin of letter:
*Hebrew Pronunciation:
* Variations on written form/pronunciation:
*Significance of letter, [[Mystical]] and otherwise:

==Aleph==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=א|letname=Aleph|phoenpic=aleph|ipa=ʔ or none|num=1|gem=1}}

'''Aleph''' (or '''alef''') is the first letter of many Semitic alphabets, including [[Phoenician_languages|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew_language|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic_language|Aramaic]]. Aleph is what is called a 'silent letter'. It is a plosive laryngal [[consonant]] and has no sound except that of the vowel under it. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek_language|Greek]] [[Alpha (letter)|Alpha]], and hence the [[Latin]] A and the [[Cyrillic_alphabet|Cyrillic]] equivalent.

Aleph, like all Phoenician letters, was a consonant, represented in transliteration by the ’ at the beginning of the word ’āleph, but the Latin, Greek and Cyrillic equivalents have all come to represent [[vowel]] sounds. In Hebrew and probably in Phoenician, it is pronounced as a [[glottal stop]] &mdash; [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] {{IPA|[ʔ]}}. Since Greek did not contain this sound, when the Greek alphabet was developed, this symbol was adapted to represent a vowel sound, alpha (Αα).

===Origin===
Aleph is thought to be derived from the Phoenician for  “[[ox]]", and the shape of the letter originally represented an ox’s head. In modern Hebrew, "aluf" means a domesticated animal, such as a bull or a sheep.

===[[Modern Hebrew]] Pronunciation===
In [[Hebrew_language|Modern Israeli Hebrew]], the letter is either a glottal stop, or has no pronunciation besides that of the [[Niqqud|vowel]] under it.

===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
The pronunciation of Aleph varies from group to group, with some pronouncing it more as a glottal stop, and others more silently. Aleph, along with [[Ayin]], [[Resh]], [[He (letter)|He]], and [[Heth (letter)|Heth]], cannot receive a dagesh.

===Significance of Aleph===
In [[gematria]], aleph represents the number 1, and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means [[1000]] (i.e. אתשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 1754).

In [[discrete mathematics]], aleph is used as the symbol to denote the [[aleph number|aleph numbers]], which represent the [[cardinality]] of infinite sets.

====In Judaism====
Aleph is the subject of a [[midrash]] which praises its humility in not demanding to start the Bible. (In Hebrew the Bible is begun with the second letter of the alphabet, [[Beth (letter)|Bet]].) In this folktale, Aleph is rewarded by being allowed to start the [[Ten Commandments]]. (In Hebrew, the first word is 'Anokhi, which starts with an aleph.)

In the [[Sefer Yetzirah]], The letter Aleph is King over Breath, Formed Air in the universe, Temperate in the Year, and the Chest in the soul.

Aleph is also the first letter of the Hebrew word ''emet'', which means ''truth''. In [[Jewish mythology]] it was the letter aleph that was carved into the head of the [[golem]] which ultimately gave it life.

Aleph also begins the three words that make up God's mystical name in [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]], [[I am that I am|I Am That I Am]], (in Hebrew, 'Ehye 'Asher 'Ehye), and aleph is an important part of mystical [[amulet]]s and formulas.

====Sayings with Aleph====
'''From Aleph to [[Taw (letter)|Taw]]'''  describes something from beginning to end; the Hebrew equivalent of the English ''From A to Z''.

'''One who doesn't know how to make an Aleph''' is someone who is illiterate.

'''Not with a big Aleph''' (''lo b'aleph rabati'') means '''Absolutely not!'''.

====In abbreviations====
An unsubstantiated rumour in Hebrew is prefaced with '''אא"א''', which stands for ''Ishah Achat Amrah'', "One woman said..."

'''אד"רח''' stands for ''Aleph D'[[Rosh Chodesh]]'' - the first of the month. 

====Other====
Because aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it is frequently used for naming other entities. For example the [[Menachem Mendel Schneerson|Lubavitch Rebbe]] founded the [http://www.aleph-institute.org Aleph Institute] and there is an alliance for Jewish Renewal also called [http://www.aleph.org aleph].

[[Jorge Luis Borges]] wrote a short story entitled "[[The Aleph]]".

==Beth==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ב|letname=Beth|phoenpic=beth|ipa=b and v|num=2|gem=2}}
'''Beth''' or '''Bet''' is the second [[letter]] of many [[Semetic_languages|Semetic alphabets]], including [[Phoenician language|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Beta (letter)|Beta]], [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[B]], the Cyrillic equivalent, the Paleo-Hebrew equivalent, and the Aramaic equivalent, which gave rise to the Hebrew equivalent.

===Transcription:===
This letter is named ''beth'', following the [[Tiberian Hebrew]] pronunciation, in academic circles, and ''bet'', following the modern Israeli Hebrew pronunciation, ''bet'' ({{IPA|/bɛʲt/}}), in [[Israel]] and by most [[Jew]]s familiar with Hebrew, although many [[Ashkenazi Hebrew|Ashkenazi]] speakers pronounce it ''beis'' ({{IPA|/beʲs/}}), and some Jews pronounce it ''beth'' ({{IPA|/beθ/}}).

===Origin===
This letter's name means "house" in various Semitic languages (Hebrew: ''bayit''), and appears to derive from a [[Middle Bronze Age alphabets|Middle Bronze Age]] picture of a house by [[acrophony]].

===Hebrew Pronunciation===
The letter is pronounced like the English letter [[B]] ([[International_Phonetic_Alphabet|IPA]] /b/) when the Beth has a dagesh, and when this letter appears without the dagesh in its center then it is usually pronounced like the English letter [[V]] (/v/), but some may pronounce it as (/b/). See below.

===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
{{main|Hebrew phonology}}

There are two orthographic variants of this letter, which alter the pronunciation:

*'''בּ''' &nbsp; bet &nbsp; /b/
and
*'''ב &nbsp;''' vet &nbsp; /v/, /b/ (among Egyptian Jews, Syrian Jews, Algerian Jews and [[Spanish and Portuguese Jews]]), likely used to be [[Voiced bilabial fricative|{{IPA|β}}]]

====Beth with the dagesh====
When the Beth has a "dot" in its center, known as a [[dagesh]], then it is pronounced as '''Beth''', making the same sound that the English [[B]] makes when pronounced. There are various rules in [[Hebrew grammar]] that stipulate when and why a dagesh is used. The [b] is a bilabial stop (plosive).

====Beth without the dagesh (Veth)====
When this letter appears as '''ב''' ''without'' the [[dagesh]] ("dot") in its center then it is pronounced as '''Veth''' in modern Israeli Hebrew, making the same sound as the English letter [[V]]. The [v] is a labiodental fricative.

===Significance of Bet:===
Bet in [[gematria]] symbolizes the number two, and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means [[2000]] (i.e. בתשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 2754).

As a [[Prefix#Linguistics|prefix]], the letter bet may function as a [[preposition]] meaning "in" or "at".

Bet, as '''two''' in gematria, can also have the meaning of ''alternative'', (like ''Plan B''). This can also be used to designate something secret or illegal; the [[Irgun]], an early Israeli military force, was known historically as ''Haganah Bet''.

====In Judaism====
Bet is the first letter of the [[Torah]]. Jewish [[midrash]] asks why the first letter of the alphabet was not used: the use of Bet is said to symbolize that there are two parts to Torah: the Written [[Torah]] and the [[Oral Torah]]. 

Similarly, since the Bible's [[Book of Genesis|creation story]] begins with a Bet, the midrash points out that because the letter is closed on three sides and open on one, this is to teach one to question about what happened after creation, but not what happened before it, or what is above the heavens or below the earth.

==Gimel==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ג|letname=Gimel|phoenpic=gimel|ipa=g (also ɣ, ʒ)|num=3|gem=3}}
Gimmel is the third [[letter]] of many [[Semitic_languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]], [[Syriac_alphabet|Syriac]], [[Phoenician_alphabet|Phoenician]] and [[Hebrew_alphabet|Hebrew]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek_alphabet|Greek]] [[Gamma]] (Γ) and the [[Latin_alphabet|Latin]] [[C]] and [[G]].

===Transcription===
This letter may be written as Gimmel, Gamel, or Gimel, reflecting the variants in pronunciation.

===Origin of Gimel:===
The word derives from the Phoenician for "camel", and the shape of the letter is thought to have originally represented a camel. The modern Hebrew word for camel is ''gamal''.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
The letter Gimel is usually pronounced in modern Hebrew as the English letter G ([[International_Phonetic_Alphabet|IPA]] /[[Voiced velar plosive|g]]/). Gimel is a velar plosive.

===Variations on Written form/pronunciation:===
The letter Gimel is one of the six letters which can receive a [[Dagesh]] Kal. The six are [[Beth (letter)|Bet]], Gimel, [[Daleth (letter)|Daled]], [[Kaph]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Taw (letter)|Tav]] (see [[Hebrew_alphabet#Ancient_Hebrew|Hebrew Alphabet]] for more about these letters). Three of them ([[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Kaph]],  and [[Pe (letter)|Pe]]) have their sound changed in modern Hebrew from the fricative to the plosive by adding a dagesh. The other three have the same pronunciation in modern Hebrew, but have had alternate pronunciations at other times and places. Gimel was pronounced in some [[Sephardi]] areas as /g/ or /[[Voiced_postalveolar_fricative|ʒ]]/ with a dagesh, and as /[[Voiced velar fricative|{{IPA|ɣ}}]]/ without a dagesh. When reading [[Torah]] and praying, [[Yemenite Jews]] will pronounce Gimmel {{IPA|[ʤ]}} with a dagesh and {{IPA|[ɣ]}} without. See [[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Daleth (letter)|Daled]], [[Kaph]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Taw (letter)|Taf]].

===Significance of Gimmel:===
In [[gematria]], Gimel represents the number three, and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means [[3000]] (i.e. גתשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 3754). 

Gimmel is also one of the seven letters which receive a special crown (called a ''tagin'') when written in a [[Sefer Torah]]. See [[Shin (letter)|Shin]], [[Ayin]], [[Teth]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Zayin]], and [[Tzade|Tzadi]].

====In Judaism====
It is written like a [[vav]] with a [[yud]] as a 'foot', and it resembles a person in motion; symbolically, a rich man running after a poor man to give him charity: [[Gimmel]] directly precedes  [dalet] in the [[aleph-bet]], and this which signifies a poor/lowly man, from the Hebrew word ''dal''.

The word ''gimel'' is related to ''gemul'', which means justified repayment, or the giving of reward and punishment.

==Daleth==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ד|letname=Daleth|phoenpic=daleth|ipa=d (also ð)|num=4|gem=4}}

'''Dalet''' or '''Daleth''' is the fourth [[letter]] of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. It has the sound of [[English language|English]] '''[[D]]'''. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the Greek [[delta (letter)|delta]] (Δ), Latin [[D]] and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Transcription===
This letter is named ''daleth'', following the [[Tiberian Hebrew]] pronunciation, in academic circles, and ''dalet'', following the modern Israeli Hebrew pronunciation (see [[Taw (letter)]]), although ''dales'' is used by many [[Ashkenazi]] [[Jew]]s and ''daleth'' by some Jews of Middle-Eastern background.

===Origin===
The letter Daleth is believed to have originated from the Proto-Sinatic pictogram of a fish (in Hebrew <i> dag <i>).

===Hebrew Pronunciation===
The '''ד''' like the [[English language|English]] [[D]] is a [[voiced alveolar plosive]], a type of [[consonant]]al sound. Just as in English, there may be subtle [[Voiced alveolar plosive#Varieties of d|varieties]] of the sound that is created when it is spoken.

===Variations on Written form/pronunciation===
The letter Daleth is one of the six letters which can receive a [[Dagesh]] Kal. The six are [[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Gimel]], Daleth, [[Kaph]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Taw (letter)|Tav]] (see [[Hebrew_alphabet#Ancient_Hebrew|Hebrew Alphabet]] for more about these letters). 
There are minor variations to this letter's pronunciation, such as:

*'''ד'''   dalet   {{IPA|/d/}} ({{IPA|/ð/}} among [[Teimani]]m, [[Mizrachi]]m and some [[Sephardi]]m). This pronounciation is rare.
or:
*'''דּ'''   dalet   {{IPA|/d/}}

===Significance of Daleth:===
In gematria, daleth symbolizes the number four and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means [[4000]] (i.e. דתשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 4754).

In modern Hebrew, the letter can also be written with an apostrophe in front of it (known as a ''chupchik''): 'ד which alters the pronunciation to /ð/.

Daleth as a [[prefix]] in Aramaic (the language of the [[Talmud]]) is a preposition meaning "that", or "which", or also "from" or "of"; since many Talmudic terms have found their way into Hebrew, you can hear daleth as a prefix in many phrases (as in ''[[Mitzvah]] '''D'''oraitah''; a mitzvah from the Torah.)

====In Judaism====
The letter daleth, along with the [[He (letter)|He]] (and very rarely [[Gimel (letter)|Gimel]]) is used to represent the [[name of God|Names of God in Judaism]]. The letter He is used commonly, and the daleth is rarer. A good example is the keter (crown) of a [[tallit]], which has the blessing for donning the tallit, and has the name of God usually represented by a daleth.

==He==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ה|letname=He|phoenpic=he|ipa=h (or none)|num=5|gem=5}}

'''He''' is the fifth [[letter]] of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. It has the sound of [[English language|English]] '''[[H]]''' or is silent. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Epsilon]], the [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[E]] and the [[Cyrillic alphabet|Cyrillic]] [[Ye (Cyrillic)|Ye]]. He, like all Phoenician letters, represented a [[consonant]], but the Latin, Greek and Cyrillic equivalents have all come to represent [[vowel]] sounds.

===Origin===
The letter is thought to have originated from a pictograph of a calling or praying man. (The word for praise in modern hebrew, ''hallel'', starts with a he.) Some have suggested an origin from a pictogram of a window.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
In [[Hebrew_Language|modern Hebrew]], the letter can either be pronunced like the English letter H, (a [[Voiceless_glottal_fricative|voiceless glottal fricative]]), or simply as silent, a practice common among Israelis. It is often viewed as sloppy to pronounce the He as silent.

===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
He generally is to be pronounced as {{IPA|und|h}}, like the letter ''h'' in English, but in many variant Hebrew pronunciations the letter may become a glottal stop or not be pronunced at all. In word-final position, He is used to indicate an ''a''-vowel, usually a qamatz (ָ), and in this sense functions like [[Aleph]], [[Vav]] and [[Yud]] as a [[mater lectionis]], indicating the presence of a long vowel.

He, along with [[Aleph (letter)|Aleph]], [[Ayin]], [[Resh]], and [[Heth (letter)|Heth]], cannot receive a dagesh. Nonetheless, it does receive a marking identical to the dagesh, to form He-[[mappiq]] (הּ). Although indistinguishable for most modern speakers or readers of Hebrew, the mapiq is placed in a word-final He to indicate that the letter is not merely a mater lectionis, but that the letter should be aspirated in that position. It is generally used in Hebrew to indicate the third-person feminine singular genitive marker. Today the mapiq is only pronounced in religious contexts, and then often only by careful readers of the scriptures.

===Significance of He:===
In [[gematria]], He symbolizes the number five, and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means [[5000]] (i.e. התשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 5754). 

Attached to words, He may have three possible meanings:
* A [[preposition]] meaning "the"  or "that" (as in "A boy ''that'' reads", '''not''' "Pass me that book."). For example, ''yeled'' - a boy, '''''Ha'''yeled'' - the boy.
* A prefix indicating that the sentence is a question. (For example, ''Yadata'' - You knew, '''''Ha'''yadata''? - Did you know?)
* A suffix after place names indicating movement towards the given noun. (For example, ''Yerushalayim'' - [[Jerusalem]],  ''Yerushalaym'''ah''''' - towards Jerusalem.)

He, being five in gematria, is often found on amulets, symbolizing the five fingers of a hand, [[Khamsa|a very common talismanic symbol]].

====In Judaism====
He is often used to represent the name of God, as He stands for [[Names_of_God_in_Judaism#Hashem.2FHadavar|Hashem]], which means ''The Name'' and is a way of saying 'God' without actually saying the name of God. In print, Hashem is usually written as He with a chupchik: 'ה. 

At the [[Passover_Seder|seder]], during [[Passover_Seder#.27Yachatz_.28break_the_middle_matzah.29|Yachatz]] there is a tradition to break the [[matzo|matzah]] into the shape of the letter He.

==Vav==

{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ו|letname=Vav|phoenpic=waw|ipa=v or w|num=6|gem=6}}

'''Vav''' or '''waw''' is the sixth letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]], and [[Arabic alphabet|Arabic]] in [[abjadi order]]; it is the twenty-seventh in modern Arabic order. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[digamma]] ({{lang|grc|Ϝ}}, whose name in Greek was probably {{lang|grc|Ϝαυ}}) and [[upsilon]] ({{lang|grc|Υ}}), which in turn gave rise to the [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[F]], [[V]], and [[Y]]; V later developed into [[U]] and [[W]].

===Origin:===
Vav is believed to have come from a pictogram of a mace or peg (in Hebrew ''vav''). 

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
This letter has three forms of pronunciation: the letter vav as a consonant, pronounced like the English [[V]] ([[International_Phonetic_Alphabet|IPA]]: /v/); the letter with a dot in the center is pronounced "oo" like the English [[U]] (as in f''oo''l); and the letter with the dot on top is pronounced as the English [[O]] (''Oh!'').

===Variation on written form/pronunciation:===
There are three orthographic variants of Vav, which alter the pronunciation:

* ו: /v/
* וּ: /u/
* וֹ: /o/

====Vav as consonant:====
Vav without any dots is pronounced as a [[voiced labiodental fricative]] (like the English [[V]]) or as a [[voiced labiodental approximant]] (like the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] or [[German language|German]] word-initial [[W]]) in [[Ashkenazi]], European [[Sephardi]] and [[Hebrew language|modern Israeli Hebrew]]; pronounced as a [[Labial-velar approximant]] (like a [[W]]) by most Jews of Eastern origin.

====Vav with a dot on top:====
Vav can be used as a mater lectionis for an 'o' vowel, in which case it is known as a ''holom male'', and in pointed text is marked with a dot above and to the left and is usually pronounced as a [[close-mid back rounded vowel]] like the English ''Oh!''.
This vowel can also appear without the vav, as just the dot, and is known then as ''holom haser''. (The vav may still take a ''holom haser'' and thus appear identical to this vowel although the consonant is pronounced, thus producing the sound ''vo'' as in mitz''vo''t .)

====Vav with a dot in the middle:====
Vav can also be used as a mater lectionis for an 'oo' vowel, in which case it is known as a ''shuruk'', and in pointed text is marked with a dot in the middle (on the left side) and is usually pronounced as a [[Near-close near-back rounded vowel]] like the English b''oo''k.

===Significance of Vav:===
Vav in [[gematria]] represents the number [[six]], and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means [[6000]] (i.e. ותשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 6754.)

Vav, as a [[prefix]], has several possible meanings:
* A Connecting Vav: when a vav connects two words or parts of a sentence; it has the meaning of the English word 'and'. This is the most common usage.

* ''Vav HaHipuch'' (The Reversing Vav):

** (Mainly biblical): when a vav is placed in front of a verb in the future tense, it changes the verb to the past tense. For example, ''yomar'' means 'he will say'; add the vav and it becomes ''vayomar''; 'he said'.

**(Mainly biblical): when a vav is placed in front of a verb in the past tense, it changes the verb to the future tense. For example, ''ahavtah'' means 'you loved'; add the vav and it becomes ''ve'ahavtah''; 'you will love'.

The vav has been responsible for the difficult task of transliterating the English letter [[W]]. The debate has been whether to use one vav, two vavs, or a vav with a chupchik. All three can be seen in use; for example the name Washington can be transliterated as ושינגטון, ו'שינגטון, or וושינגטון.

==Zayin==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ז|letname=Zayin|phoenpic=zayin|ipa=z|num=7|gem=7}}

'''Zayin''' or '''Zain''' is the seventh letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Zeta]] (Ζ), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[Z]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origins of Zayin:===
The origins of zayin are unknown. It may have originated from a pictograph of a sword or other weapon.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
In modern Hebrew, the letter Zayin is pronounced as an [[Voiced_alveolar_fricative|alveolar fricative]],  ([[International_Phonetic_Alphabet|IPA]] /z/) like the English letter "z".

===Significance of Zayin:===
In [[gematria]], Zayin represents the number seven, and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means 7000 (i.e. זתשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 7754).

Zayin is also one of the seven letters which receive a special crown (called a ''tagin'') when written in a [[Sefer Torah]]. See [[Shin (letter)|Shin]], [[Ayin]], [[Teth]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Gimel (letter)|Gimel]], and [[Tzade|Tzadi]].

Zayin, in modern Israeli slang, refers to the [[penis]].

A chupchik can also be placed in front of it ('ז), giving it the IPA sound /[[ʒ]]/.

==Heth==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ח|letname=Heth|phoenpic=heth|ipa=ħ or x|num=8|gem=8}}

'''Heth''' or '''Het''' is the eighth letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Eta]] (Η), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[H]] and [[Cyrillic alphabet|Cyrillic]] [[I (Cyrillic)|И]]. Heth, like all Phoenician letters, represented a [[consonant]], and H is still a consonant in the Latin alphabet, whereas the Greek and Cyrillic equivalents have come to represent [[vowel]] sounds.

===Transcription:===
This letter may be written as Heth, Het, Chet, Khet, Kheth, Cheth, or other combinations, in an attempt to transcribe the IPA sounds /[[Voiceless_velar_fricative|x]]/ and /[[voiceless pharyngeal fricative|ħ]]/ into English letters.

===Origins of Heth:===
The letter Heth is thought to have come from a pictogram of a fence.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
In official [[Hebrew_language|Modern Israeli Hebrew]], the letter Heth is usually pronounced as a [[voiceless pharyngeal fricative]] ({{IPA|und|ħ}}) in accordance with [[mizrahi|oriental]] Jewish traditions, although it is commonly a [[voiceless velar fricative]] ({{IPA|und|x}}) due to [[Ashkenazi|European]] influence.

===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
Heth, along with [[Aleph (letter)|Aleph]], [[Ayin]], [[Resh]], and [[He (letter)|He]], cannot receive a dagesh. As the voiceless fricative is difficult for most English speakers to pronounce, it is usually Anglizised to /h/. Thus ''challah'' (חלה), pronounced as ''[[Voiceless velar fricative|x]][[Open_back_unrounded_vowel|a]][[Alveolar_lateral_approximant|l]][[Open_back_unrounded_vowel|a]]'' or ''[[Voiceless pharyngeal fricative|ħ]][[Open_back_unrounded_vowel|a]][[Alveolar_lateral_approximant|l]][[Open_back_unrounded_vowel|a]]'' by Hebrew speakers is prounced ''[[Voiceless_glottal_fricative|h]][[Open_back_unrounded_vowel|a]][[Alveolar_lateral_approximant|l]][[Open_back_unrounded_vowel|a]]'' by most English speakers. It is often possible to tell a person's place of origin by their pronounciation, especially of Heth. If it is pronounced softly, like a [[voiceless pharyngeal fricative]], then the person is probably of Eastern origin. If it is pronounced like an English H, then the person is probably a native English speaker.

===Significance of Heth:===
In [[gematria]], Heth represents the number eight, and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means 8000 (i.e. חתשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 8754).

In [[chat rooms]] and [[Internet forum|online forums]], the letter Heth repeated denotes laughter, similar to the English ''[[lol]]''.

==Teth==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ט|letname=Teth|phoenpic=teth|ipa=t (or tˁ)|num=9|gem=9}}

'''Teth''' or '''Tet''' is the ninth letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Theta]] (Θ).

===Origin of Teth:===
The origin of Teth is disputed. It is either derived from the pictograph of a basket, or a wheel. 

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
The letter is pronounced as the English T ({{IPA|und|[[Voiceless_alveolar_plosive|label=t]]}}), although it can be [[Pharyngealisation|pharyngealized]] in traditional [[Yemenite Jews|Temani]] and [[Sephardi]] pronunciation.

===Significance of Teth:===
In [[gematria]], Teth represents the number nine, and when used at the beginning of [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew years]], it means 9000 (i.e. טתשנד in [[Arabic_numerals|numbers]] would be the [[Calendar_date|date]] 9754).

As well, in gematria, the number 15 is written with Teth and [[Waw (letter)|Vav]], (9+6) to avoid the normal construction [[Yodh]] and [[He (letter)|He]] (10+5) which spells a [[Names of God in Judaism|name of God]]. Similarly, 16 is written with Teth and [[Zayin]] (9+7) instead of [[Yodh]] and [[Waw (letter)|Vav]] (10+6) to avoid spelling part of the [[Tetragrammaton]].

Teth is also one of the seven letters which receive a special crown (called a ''tagin'') when written in a [[Sefer Torah]]. See [[Shin (letter)|Shin]], [[Ayin]], [[Gimmel]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Zayin]], and [[Tzade|Tzadi]].

==Yodh==

{{Hebrew alphabet|char=י|letname=Yodh|phoenpic=yodh|ipa=j (also ʔ)|num=10|gem=10}}

'''Yud''' or '''Yodh''' is the tenth letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Iota]] (I), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[I]] (and later [[J]]), and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origins of Yodh:===
Yodh is thought to have originated with a pictograph of a hand (in Modern Hebrew, ''yad''). It may be related to the Egyptian hieroglyphic of an arm (''see [[Hieroglyphs]]'').
<hiero>a</hiero>

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
In [[Hebrew_language|modern Hebrew]], Yodh is pronounced like the English Y ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Palatal approximant|j]]/).

===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
Yodh is a [[mater lectionis]], like [[Aleph]], [[He (letter)|He]], and [[Waw (letter)|Vav]]. At the end of words with a vowel, it forms a [[diphthong]], such as [eɪ], [aɪ], or [ɔɪ].

===Significance of Yodh:===
In [[gematria]], Yodh represents the number ten.

As a [[prefix]], it designates the third person singular (or plural, with a [[Waw (letter)|Vav]] as a [[suffix]]) in the future tense. 

As a [[suffix]], it indicates first person singular possessive; ''av'' (father) becomes ''avi'' (my father).

====In Judaism====
Two yodhs in a row designate the name of God [[Names of God in Judaism#Adonai|Adonai]] and in pointed texts are written with the vowels of Adonai; this is done as well with the [[Tetragrammaton]].

As Yodh is the smallest letter, much [[Kabbalah|kabbalistic]] and mystical significance is attached to it. [[Jesus]] mentions it in the [[New Testament]] [[Matthew 5:18|when he says]]: "One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Jot, or iota, refers to the letter Yodh; it was often overlooked by scribes because of its size and position as a mater lectiones. In modern Hebrew, the phrase "tip of the Yodh" refers to a small and insignificant thing, and someone who "worrys about the tip of a Yodh" is someone who is picky and meticulous about small details.

Much [[Kabbalah|kabbalistic]] and mystical significance is also attached to it because of its gematria value as ten, which is an important number in Judaism, and its place in the name of God. See [http://www.inner.org/hebleter/yud.htm The Mystical Significance of the Hebrew Letters - Yodh]

==Kaph==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=כ,ך|letname=Kaph|phoenpic=kaph|ipa=k and x|num=11|gem=20}}

'''Kaph''' or '''Kaf''' is the eleventh letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Kappa]] (Κ), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[K]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origin of Kaph:===
Kaph is thought to have been derived from a pictogram of a hand (in [[Hebrew language|modern Hebrew]], ''kaph'' means palm).

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
This letter is pronounced like the English letter [[K]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless velar plosive|k]]/) with a dagesh; when this letter appears without the dagesh in its center then it is usually pronounced like a [[Voiceless_velar_fricative|velar fricative]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless_velar_fricative|x]]/); similar to ''ch'' in German "Bach". 

===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
{{main|Hebrew phonology}}
The letter Kaph is one of the six letters which can receive a [[Dagesh]] Kal. The six are [[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Gimel]], [[Daleth]], Kaph, [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Taw (letter)|Tav]] (see [[Hebrew_alphabet#Ancient_Hebrew|Hebrew Alphabet]] for more about these letters). 

There are two orthographic variants of this letter which alter the pronunciation:

*'''כּ''' &nbsp; kaph &nbsp; /k/
and
*'''כ''' chaph &nbsp; /x/

====Kaph with the dagesh====
When the Kaph has a "dot" in its center, known as a [[dagesh]], then it is pronounced as '''Kaph''', making the same sound that the English [[K]] makes when pronounced. There are various rules in [[Hebrew grammar]] that stipulate when and why a dagesh is used. The [k] is a velar plosive.

====Kaph without the dagesh (Chaph)====
When this letter appears as '''כ''' ''without'' the [[dagesh]] ("dot") in its center then it is pronounced as '''Chaph'''; this is pronounced as a [[Voiceless_velar_fricative|velar fricative]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless_velar_fricative|x]]/).

In [[Hebrew language|modern Israeli Hebrew]] the pronunciation of Kaph is the same as the pronunciation of [[Heth]], but many communities have differentiated between them.

====Final form of Kaph====
At the end of words the letter's written form changes to a ''Chaph Sophit'' (Final Chaph): 
*ך This does not alter the pronunciation; it is pronounced as Chaph (see above).
No longer commonly used in modern Hebrew, biblical Hebrew had a ''Kaph Sophit'' (Final Kaph):
*ךּ This does not alter the pronunciation; it is pronounced as Kaph (see above).

===Significance of Kaph:===
In [[gematria]], Kaph represents the number 20. Its final form represents 500 but this is rarely used, [[Tau (letter)|Tav]] and [[Qoph]] (400+100) being used instead.

As a [[prefix]], Kaph is a [[preposition]]:
*It can mean "like" or "as". This is an abbreviation of כּמו, ''k'mo'' (like/as)
*In colloquial Hebrew, Kaph and [[Shin (letter)|Shin]] together have the meaning of "when". This is an contraction of כּאשר, ''ka'asher'' (when).

==Lamedh==

{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ל|letname=Lamedh|phoenpic=lamedh|ipa=l|num=12|gem=30}}

'''Lamed''' or '''Lamedh''' is the twelfth letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Lambda]] (Λ), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[L]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origins of Lamedh:===
Lamedh is believed to have come from a pictogram of an ox goad or cattle prod. Some have suggested a shepherd's staff.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
Lamedh is pronounced like the English letter [[L]] when it occurs before a vowel, the [[alveolar lateral approximant]]. Unlike L, however, ל is never pronounced [[velarized alveolar lateral approximant|velarised]] (IPA [ɫ]), i.e. never as in English ''milk''.

===Significance of Lamedh:===
Lamedh in [[gematria]] represents the number 30.

With the letter [[Waw (letter)|Vav]] it refers to the [[Lamed Vav Tzadikim|Lamedvavnik]]s, the 36 righteous people who save the world from destruction.

As an abbreviation, it can stand for [[litre]]. Also, a sign on a car with a Lamedh on it means that the driver is a student of driving (the Lamedh stands for ''lomed'', learner).

As a prefix, it can have two purposes:
* It can be attached to verb roots, designating the infinitive (''Daber'' means "speak", ''Ledaber'' means to speak).
* It can also act as a preposition meaning "to" or "for".

==Mem==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=מ,ם|letname=Mem|phoenpic=mem|ipa=m|num=13|gem=40}}

'''Mem''' is the thirteenth letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Mu (letter)|Mu]] (Μ), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[M]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origins of Mem:===
Mem is usually assumed to come from a pictogram of water (''mayim'' in [[Hebrew language|modern Hebrew]]).

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
Mem is pronounced as a [[bilabial nasal]] stop, ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]:/[[bilabial nasal|m]]/), like the English [[M]].

===Variations on Written form/Pronunciation:===
Mem, like [[Kaph]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Tzadi]], has a final form, used at the end of words. Its shape changes from this: '''מ''' to this: '''ם'''. The pronunciation is not changed.

===Significance of Mem:===
In [[gematria]], Mem represents the number 40. Its final form represents 600 but this is rarely used, [[Tau (letter)|Tav]] and [[Resh]] (400+200) being used instead.

In the [[Sefer Yetzirah]], the letter Mem is King over Water, Formed Earth in the Universe, Cold in the Year, and the Belly in the Soul.

The final form of Mem is used in the middle of a word only once in the [[Bible]]. In Isaiah 9:6, he says:
* '''לםרבה''' (לְמַרְבֵּה) הַמִּשְׂרָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם אֵין-קֵץ.
*''That the rule may be increased, and of peace there be no end.''

As an abbreviation, it stands for [[metre]]. In the [[IDF|Israeli army]] it can also stand for ''mefaked'', [[commander]]. In Hebrew religious texts, it can stand for [[Names of God in Judaism#Lesser used names of God|the name of God]] '''Makom''', the Place.

==Nun==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=נ,ן|letname=Nun|phoenpic=nun|ipa=n|num=14|gem=50}}

'''Nun''' is the fourteenth letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[nu (letter)|nu]] (Ν), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[N]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origins of Nun:===
Nun is thought to have come from a pictogram of a snake (the Hebrew word for snake, ''nachash'' begins with a Nun and snake in [[Aramaic]] is ''nun'') or eel. Some have hypothesized a [[hieroglyph]] of a fish in water for its origin.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
Nun is pronounced as a [[alveolar nasal]] consonant, ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[alveolar nasal|n]]/), like the English letter [[N]].

===Variations on Written form/Pronunciation:===
Nun, like [[Kaph]], [[Mem]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Tzadi]], has a final form, used at the end of words. Its shape changes from this: '''נ''' to this: '''ן'''. The pronunciation is not changed.

===Significance of Nun:===
In [[gematria]], Nun represents the number 50. Its final form represents 700 but this is rarely used, [[Tau (letter)|Tav]] and [[Shin]] (400+300) being used instead.

Nun as an abbreviation can stand for ''neqevah'', feminine. 
In medieval Rabbinic writings, Nun Sophit (Final Nun) stood for "Son of" ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''ben'' or ''ibn''). 

Nun is also one of the seven letters which receive a special crown (called a ''tagin'') when written in a [[Sefer Torah]]. See [[Shin (letter)|Shin]], [[Ayin]], [[Teth]], [[Gimmel]], [[Zayin]], and [[Tzade|Tzadi]].

In modern [[Israel]]i slang, the word Nun has come to mean failure (from Hebrew '''''Ni'''chshal'', he lost).

==Samekh==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ס|letname=Samekh|phoenpic=samekh|ipa=s|num=15|gem=60}}

'''Samekh''' or '''Simketh''' is the fifteenth letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Chi]] (Χ) and [[Xi]] (Ξ), and [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[X]].

===Origins of Samekh:===
The origin of Samekh is unclear. It may have represented a fish like [[Nun (letter)|Nun]] (''samak'' is fish in Arabic), or a tent peg / some kind of prop (''s'mikhah'' in [[Hebrew_language|modern Hebrew]] means to support), and thus may be derived from the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] [[hieroglyph]] ''[[djed]]''.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
Samekh is pronounced like the English [[S]], a [[voiceless alveolar fricative]]. Unlike most letters, its pronunciation remains constant between vowels and before voiced consonants.

===Significance of Samekh:===
Samekh in [[gematria]] is 60.

Samekh and [[Mem]] form the abbreviation for the Angel of Death, whose name in Hebrew is ''[[Samael]]''. It also stands for [[centimetre]].

Samekh is said to have been the miracle of the [[Ten Commandments]]. {{bibleverse||Exodus|32:15|HE}} records that the tablets "were written on both their sides." The [[Talmud]] (tractate Shabbat 104a) explains that there were miracles involved with the carving on the tablets.  One was that the carving went the full thickness of the tablets. The stone in the center part of the letter Samekh should have fallen out, as it was not connected to the rest of the tablet, but it did not; it miraculously remained in place. Scholars disagree, as the Ten Commandments would have been written in the style of the period, and thus Samekh would have been similar to the Phoenician pictogram seen in the table. [[Ayin]], however, would have been the subject of this miracle, as its ancient form was similar to the modern day Samekh.

==Ayin==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ע|letname=Ayin|phoenpic=ayin|ipa=ʕ, ʔ or none|num=16|gem=70}}

'''‘Áyin''' or '''Ayin''' is the sixteenth letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Omicron]] (Ο), and hence the [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[O]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]]. 

‘Áyin, like all Phoenician letters, was a [[consonant]], represented in transliteration by the '''‘''' at the beginning of the word '''‘Áyin'''.  However, the Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic letters that are historically derived from `Ayin all represent vowels.

===Origins of Ayin:===
Ayin is usually assumed to have come from a pictogram of an eye (in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: ''ayin''). There have been claims that there were two original forms; Ayin, and Ghayin, which was a harder form of the letter. See pronunciation.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
Ayin traditionally represents a [[pharyngeal consonant|pharyngeal sound]] that has no equivalent in the English language ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] [[Voiced pharyngeal fricative|{{IPA|1=[ʕ]}}]]). Ayin can be pronounced as a [[glottal stop]] consonant sound, but is generally pronounced as silent (i.e. it is given the same treatment as [[Aleph (letter)|Aleph]]).

===Variations on Written form/Pronunciation:===
In some historical Sephardi pronunciations, `Ayin was pronounced as a velar nasal "ng" consonant sound, while in non-"Mizrahi" modern Israeli Hebrew it is pronounced as a [[glottal stop]] consonant sound in certain cases, but is mostly silent (i.e. it is given the same treatment as [[Aleph (letter)|Aleph]]).  However, certain changes in adjoining vowels often testify to the former presence of `Ayin, even if `Ayin itself is no longer pronounced. Some historians have postulated the existance of an older, more guttural "Ghayin", which was incorporated into the softer Ayin. Arabic maintains the Ayin and Ghayin as two separate letters.

In [[Yiddish language|Yiddish]], the ‘Áyin is used as a vowel, rather than a consonant, and is pronounced /e/.

Ayin, along with [[Aleph (letter)|Aleph]], [[Resh]], [[He (letter)|He]], and [[Heth (letter)|Heth]], cannot receive a dagesh.

===Significance of Ayin:===
In [[gematria]], ayin represents the number 70.

In English [[transliteration]] the letter Ayin can be transliterated as either a glottal stop (Ayin) or a hard [[G]] (Ghayin). Because of this, we get [[Sodom and Gomorrah|Gomorrah]] from ''`Amora'' and [[Gaza]] from ''`Aza'' (which eventually gave us the English word [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gauze gauze]).

Ayin is also one of the seven letters which receive a special crown (called a ''tagin'') when written in a [[Sefer Torah]]. See [[Shin (letter)|Shin]], [[Gimmel]], [[Teth]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Zayin]], and [[Tzade|Tzadi]].

==Pe==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=פ,ף|letname=Pe|phoenpic=pe|ipa=p and f (was ɸ)|num=17|gem=80}}

:''This is about the letter found in some Semitic alphabets. For the Cyrillic letter, see [[Pe (Cyrillic)]].
'''Pe''' is the seventeenth letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Pi (letter)|Pi]] (Π), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[P]], and [[Cyrillic alphabet|Cyrillic]] [[Pe (Cyrillic)|Pe]].

===Origins of Pe:===
Pe is usually assumed to come from a pictogram of a mouth (in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''pe'').

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
This letter is pronounced like the English letter [[P]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless bilabial plosive|p]]/) with a dagesh; when this letter appears without the dagesh in its center then it is usually pronounced like a [[Voiceless_labiodental_fricative|voiceless labiodental fricative]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless_labiodental_fricative|f]]/). 

===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
{{main|Hebrew phonology}}
The letter Daleth is one of the six letters which can receive a [[Dagesh|Dagesh Kal]]. The six are [[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Gimel]], [[Daleth]], [[Kaph]], Pe, and [[Taw (letter)|Tav]] (see [[Hebrew_alphabet#Ancient_Hebrew|Hebrew Alphabet]] for more about these letters). 

There are two orthographic variants of this letter which alter the pronunciation:

*'''פּ''' &nbsp; Pe &nbsp; /p/
and
*'''פ''' Phe &nbsp; /f/

====Pe with the dagesh====
When the Pe has a "dot" in its center, known as a [[dagesh]], then it is pronounced as '''Pe''', making the same sound that the English [[P]] makes when pronounced. There are various rules in [[Hebrew grammar]] that stipulate when and why a dagesh is used. The [p] is a bilabial plosive.

====Pe without the dagesh (Phe)====
When this letter appears as '''פ''' ''without'' the [[dagesh]] ("dot") in its center then it is pronounced as '''Phe'''; this is pronounced as a [[Voiceless_labiodental_fricative|voiceless labiodental fricative]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless_labiodental_fricative|f]]/).

====Final form of Phe====
At the end of words the letter's written form changes to a ''Phe Sophit'' (Final Phe): 
*ף This does not alter the pronunciation; it is pronounced as Phe (see above).

===Significance of Pe:===
In [[gematria]], Pe represents the number 80. Its final form represents 800 but this is rarely used, [[Tau (letter)|Tav]] written twice (400+400) being used instead.

==Tzade==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=צ,ץ|letname=Tsade|phoenpic=sade|ipa=ts or sˁ|num=18|gem=90}}

'''Tsade''', '''Tsadi''' or '''Sadhe''' is the eighteenth letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. It may have inspired the form of the letter [[Tse (letter)|Tse]] in the [[Glagolitic alphabet]] and the [[Greek_alphabet|Greek]] [[Sampi|numeral]] for 900. 

===Transcription:===
Other spellings of the name include ṣāḏê şādhê, çādhê, s`àdhê, tzadi, tzadik, tsodi, and tsodik. See [[Hebrew alphabet]] for a more detailed list of its various transliterations and pronunciations.

===Origins of Tzade:===
The origin of Tzade is unclear. It may have come from a pictogram of a plant, perhaps a [[papyrus]] plant, or a fish hook.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
In [[Hebrew language|modern Hebrew]], Tzade is pronounced as a [[voiceless alveolar affricate]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[voiceless alveolar affricate|ʦ]]/). It may have been pronounced as a [[Pharyngeal_consonant|pharyngealized]] /s/ historically; [[Yemenite Jews]] still ponounce it this way.

===Variations on Written form/Pronunciation:===
Tzade, like [[Kaph]], [[Mem]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], has a final form, used at the end of words. Its shape changes from this: '''צ''' to this: '''ץ'''. The pronunciation is not changed.

===Significance of Tzade:===
In [[gematria]], Tzade represents the number 90. Its final form represents 900 but this is rarely used, [[Tau (letter)|Tav]], [[Tau (letter)|Tav]], and [[Qoph]] (400+400+100) being used instead.

A chupchik can also be placed in front of it ('צ), giving it the IPA sound /[[Voiceless_postalveolar_affricate|ʧ]]/. This is most commonly seen in the Hebrew צ'יפּסים, meaning ''chips''.

As an abbreviation, it stands for ''tzaphon'', North.

Tzade is also one of the seven letters which receive a special crown (called a ''tagin'') when written in a [[Sefer Torah]]. See [[Shin (letter)|Shin]], [[Ayin]], [[Teth]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Zayin]], and [[Gimmel]].

==Qoph==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ק|letname=Qoph|phoenpic=qof|ipa=q or k|num=19|gem=100}}

'''Qoph''' or '''Quph''' is the nineteenth letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the letter [[Q]] in the [[Latin alphabet]], the archaic letter [[Qoppa]] in certain early varieties of the [[Greek alphabet]] and the archaic letter [[Koppa]] in [[Early Cyrillic alphabet|early Cyrillic]].

===Origins of Qoph:===
The origin of Qoph is usually thought to have come from a pictogram of a monkey, with the body and tail shown (''K'of'' in Old Egptian meant a type of monkey). Others have proposed that it originated from a pictogram of someone's head and neck (''Qaph'' in Arabic meant the [[nape]]).

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
Qoph is usually pronounced in [[Hebrew language|modern Israeli Hebrew]] like the English [[K]]; i.e., no distinction is made between Qoph and [[Kaph]]. However, many historical groups have made that distinction, with Qoph being pronounced as a [[voiceless uvular plosive]] by [[Iraqi Jews]] and other [[Sephardi]]m ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless uvular plosive|q]]/) or even as a [[voiced velar plosive]] by [[Yemenite Jews]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiced velar plosive|g]]/).

===Significance of Qoph:===
Qoph in [[gematria]] represents the number 100. [[Sarah]] is described in [[Genesis Rabba]] as "בת ק' כבת כ' שנה לחטא", literally ''At Qoph years of age, she was like [[Kaph]] years of age in sin'' (i.e. when she was 100 years old, she was as sinless as when she was 20).

Qoph is used in an Israeli phrase: after a child will say something false, one might say "B'[[Shin]] Qoph, [[Resh]]" (With Shin, Qoph, Resh). These letters spell Sheqer, which is the Hebrew word for a lie. It would be akin to an English speaker saying "That's a [[L]]-[[I]]-[[E]]."

==Resh==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ר|letname=Resh|phoenpic=res|ipa=r, ʁ or ʀ|num=20|gem=200}}

'''Resh''' is the twentieth letter of many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Rho]] (Ρ), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[R]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origins of Resh:===
Resh is usually assumed to have come from a pictogram of a head (in [[Hebrew language|modern Hebrew]] ''rosh'').

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
In [[Hebrew language|modern Israeli Hebrew]] Resh is pronounced as a [[voiced uvular fricative]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[voiced uvular fricative|ʁ]]/). This sound is hard for English speakers to pronounce, and it is often pronounced by [[Ashkenazi]]m as /[[Alveolar_approximant|ɹ]]/ or sometimes /[[Uvular_trill|ʀ]]/. [[Mizrahi Jews]] will pronounce it as /[[Alveolar_trill|r]]/, or [[Alveolar_flap|ɾ]]/.

===Variations on Written form/Pronunciation:===
As explained above, pronunciation of Resh varies from group to group. Resh, along with [[Ayin]], [[Aleph (letter)|Aleph]], [[He (letter)|He]], and [[Heth (letter)|Heth]], cannot receive a dagesh.

===Significance of Resh:===
Resh in [[gematria]] represents the number 200.

Resh as an abbreviation can stand for [[Rabbi]] (or Rav, [[Rebbe]], Rabban, Rabbenu, and other similar constructions).

Resh is used in an Israeli phrase: after a child will say something false, one might say "B'[[Shin]] [[Qoph]], Resh" (With Shin, Qoph, Resh). These letters spell Sheqer, which is the Hebrew word for a lie. It would be akin to an English speaker saying "That's a [[L]]-[[I]]-[[E]]."

==Shin==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ש|letname=Shin|phoenpic=sin|ipa=ʃ and s (was ɬ)|num=21|gem=300}}

'''Shin''' or '''Sin''' is the twenty-first  and penultimate letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the Greek [[Sigma]] (Σ), Latin [[S]], and [[Cyrillic letters]] [[Es (Cyrillic) |Es]] (С) and [[Sha (Cyrillic) |Sha]] (Ш), and may have inspired the form of the letter [[Sha]] in the [[Glagolitic alphabet]].

===Origins of Shin:===
Shin is believed to have come from a pictogram of a tooth (in [[Hebrew language|modern Hebrew]] ''shen''). Some have suggested that it originally represented a bow.

===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
The letter is pronounced like the English letter [[S]] ([[International_Phonetic_Alphabet|IPA]] /[[voiceless alveolar fricative|s]]/) when the dot is to the left, and when this letter appears with the dot to the right then it is usually pronounced like the English letter combination [[S]][[H]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: /[[Voiceless_postalveolar_fricative|∫]]/).


===Variations on written form/pronunciation:===
{{main|Hebrew phonology}}

There are two orthographic variants of this letter, which alter the pronunciation:

*'''שׁ''' shin &nbsp; /∫/
and
*'''שֹ''' sin &nbsp; /s/

====Shin====
When the Shin has a dot to the right then it is pronounced as '''Shin''', making the same sound that the English [[S]][[H]] makes when pronounced.  The Shin is a [[voiceless postalveolar fricative]].

====Sin====
When the Shin has a dot to the left then it is pronounced as '''Sin''', making the same sound that the English [[S]] makes when pronounced.  The Sin is a [[voiceless alveolar fricative]]. The {{IPA|[s]}} version is thought to have originated from a [[Lateral consonant|lateral]] fricative sound {{IPA|[ɬ]}}, like Welsh ''Ll'' in "Llandudno".

===Significance of Shin:===
In [[gematria]], Shin represents the number 300.

Shin, as a [[prefix]], has the meaning of the English words "that" (as in "A boy ''that'' reads", '''not''' "Pass me that book."), or "which"/"who".
In colloquial Hebrew, [[Kaph]] and Shin together have the meaning of "when". This is an contraction of כּאשר, ''ka'asher'' (when).

Shin is also one of the seven letters which receive a special crown (called a ''tagin'') when written in a [[Sefer Torah]]. See [[Gimmel]], [[Ayin]], [[Teth]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Zayin]], and [[Tzade|Tzadi]].

According to [[Book of Judges|Judges]] 12:8, the tribe of [[Ephraim]] could not differentiate between Shin and Sin; when the [[Gilead]]ites were at war with the Ephraimites, they would ask suspected Ephraimites to say the word '''''shi'''bolet''; an Ephraimite would say '''''si'''bolet'' and thus be exposed. From this episode we get the English word [[Shibboleth]].

====In Judaism====
Shin also stands for the word [[Names_of_God_in_Judaism#Shaddai|Shaddai]], a name for God. Because of this, a [[kohen]] (priest) forms the letter Shin with his hands as he recites the [[priestly blessing]]. In the mid [[1960]]s, actor [[Leonard Nimoy]] used a single-handed version of this gesture to create the [[Vulcan Salute|Vulcan Hand Salute]] for his character, [[Mr. Spock]], on ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]''.

In Jewish tradition the letter Shin is inscribed on the [[Mezuzah]], a vessel which houses a scroll of parchment with Biblical text written on it. The mezuzuah is situated upon all the doorframes in a home or establishment. Sometimes the whole word ''Shaddai'' will be written.

In the [[Sefer Yetzirah]] the letter Shin is King over Fire, Formed Heaven in the Universe, Hot in the Year, and the Head in the Soul.

====Sayings with Shin====
The '''Shin-[[Bet (letter)|Bet]]''' was an old acronym for the Israeli [[Shabak|Department of Internal General Security]].

A '''Shin-Shin Clash''' is [[IDF|Israeli military]] parlance for a battle between two tank divisions (tank in Hebrew is ''shiryon'').

'''Sh'at haShin''' (The Shin Hour) is the last possible moment for any action, usually military. Corresponds to the English expression ''the eleventh hour''.

==Taw==
{{Hebrew alphabet|char=ת|letname=Taw|phoenpic=taw|ipa=t (also θ, s)|num=22|gem=400}}

'''Taw''' or '''Tav''' is the twenty-second and last letter in many [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] alphabets, including [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]], [[Hebrew alphabet|Hebrew]], and [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]. The Phoenician letter gave rise to the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Tau]] (Τ), [[Latin alphabet|Latin]] [[T]], and the equivalent in the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].

===Origins of Taw:===
Taw is believed to have come from a simple mark; a cross or asterisk-like marking.
  
===Hebrew Pronunciation:===
The letter Taw is usually pronounced in modern Hebrew as the English letter T ([[International_Phonetic_Alphabet|IPA]] /[[Voiceless alveolar plosive|t]]/). T is an alveolar plosive, although Tau may sometimes be pronounced as a dental plosive.

===Variations on Written form/pronunciation:===
The letter Taw is one of the six letters which can receive a [[Dagesh]] Kal. The six are [[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Gimel]], [[Daleth (letter)|Daled]], [[Kaph]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and Taw (see [[Hebrew_alphabet#Ancient_Hebrew|Hebrew Alphabet]] for more about these letters). Three of them ([[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Kaph]],  and [[Pe (letter)|Pe]]) have their sound changed in modern Hebrew from the fricative to the plosive by adding a dagesh. The other three have the same pronunciation in modern Hebrew, but have had alternate pronunciations at other times and places. Taw was pronounced in tranditional [[Ashkenazi]] pronunciation (a form which still is common today, especially among [[Diaspora]] Jews) as an [[Voiceless alveolar fricative|alveolar fricative]], like the English [[S]], without the [[dagesh]], and had the plosive form when it had the dagesh. In some [[Sephardi]] areas, such as [[Yemenite Jews|Yemen]], Taw without a dagesh was pronounced as /[[Voiceless_dental_fricative|θ]]/ without a dagesh and the plosive form ({{IPA|[t]}}) with the dagesh. See [[Beth (letter)|Bet]], [[Daleth (letter)|Daled]], [[Kaph]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Taw (letter)|Taf]].

===Significance of Taw:===
In [[gematria]] Taw represents the number 400, the largest number that can be made without using the Sophit forms (see [[Kaph]], [[Mem]], [[Nun (letter)|Nun]], [[Pe (letter)|Pe]], and [[Tzade]]).

A chupchik can also be placed in front of it ('ת), giving it the IPA sound /[[Voiceless_dental_fricative|θ]]/ or /[[Voiced_dental_fricative|ð]]/.

====In Judaism====
Taw is the last letter of the Hebrew word ''emet'', which means [[truth]]. The midrash explains that ''emet'' is made up of the first, middle, and last letters of the [[Hebrew alphabet]] ([[Aleph (letter)|Aleph]], [[Mem]], and Taw). ''Sheqer'' (falsehood), on the other hand, is made up of the 19th, 20th, and 21st (and penultimate) letters. Thus, truth is all-encompassing, while falsehood is narrow and deceiving. In [[Jewish mythology]] it was the word ''emet'' that was carved into the head of the golem which ultimately gave it life.

====Sayings with Taw====
'''From Aleph to [[Taw (letter)|Taw]]'''  describes something from beginning to end; the Hebrew equivalent of the English ''From A to Z''.