https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/hebrew-the-aleph-bet.xml/articles/hebrew-the-aleph-betxmlarticleThe Aleph-BetTwenty-two letters; five with final forms; read right to left. The first essential step.The New Jew/index.xmlHebrew/sections/hebrew.xmlThe Aleph-Bet/articles/hebrew-the-aleph-bet.xml
https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/hebrew-the-aleph-bet
https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/hebrew-the-aleph-bet.json
<_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/hebrew-the-aleph-bet.xml
hebrew-the-aleph-betThe Aleph-BetTwenty-two letters; five with final forms; read right to left. The first essential step.Summary. The Hebrew alphabet has twenty-two letters, five of which (kaf, mem, nun, peh, tzadi) have distinct final (sofit) forms used at the end of a word. Hebrew is read and written right to left. The standard square script has been the standard since the return from the Babylonian Exile (5th century BCE); Rashi script (used for medieval commentaries) and cursive (used in modern Israel and for handwriting) are derivative. A New Jew should learn the names, the sounds, the shapes (print and cursive), and the numerical value (gematria) of each letter.essentialhebrewalphabetaleph betletters2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z5903hebrewHebrewsummary
Summary. The Hebrew alphabet has twenty-two letters, five of which (kaf, mem, nun, peh, tzadi) have distinct final ([sofit](/glossary.xml#letter-S)) forms used at the end of a word. Hebrew is read and written right to left. The standard square script has been the standard since the return from the Babylonian Exile (5th century BCE); [Rashi script](/glossary.xml#letter-R) (used for medieval commentaries) and cursive (used in modern Israel and for handwriting) are derivative. A New Jew should learn the names, the sounds, the shapes (print and cursive), and the numerical value ([gematria](/glossary.xml#letter-G)) of each letter.
Summary. The Hebrew alphabet has twenty-two letters, five of which (kaf, mem, nun, peh, tzadi) have distinct final (sofit) forms used at the end of a word. Hebrew is read and written right to left. The standard square script has been the standard since the return from the Babylonian Exile (5th century BCE); Rashi script (used for medieval commentaries) and cursive (used in modern Israel and for handwriting) are derivative. A New Jew should learn the names, the sounds, the shapes (print and cursive), and the numerical value (gematria) of each letter.heading
The Letters, in Order
The Letters, in Orderparagraph
Aleph (silent placeholder), Bet (b / v depending on [dagesh](/glossary.xml#letter-D)), Gimel (g), Dalet (d), Heh (h), Vav (v, also marks o or u), Zayin (z), Chet (ch as in Bach), Tet (t), Yod (y), Kaf (k / kh, final form ך), Lamed (l), Mem (m, final form ם), Nun (n, final form ן), Samech (s), Ayin (silent placeholder, traditionally a guttural), Peh (p / f, final form ף), Tzadi (ts, final form ץ), Kuf (k, distinct in pronunciation from Kaf in Yemenite Hebrew), Resh (r), Shin / Sin (sh or s depending on dot placement), Tav (t).
Aleph (silent placeholder), Bet (b / v depending on dagesh), Gimel (g), Dalet (d), Heh (h), Vav (v, also marks o or u), Zayin (z), Chet (ch as in Bach), Tet (t), Yod (y), Kaf (k / kh, final form ך), Lamed (l), Mem (m, final form ם), Nun (n, final form ן), Samech (s), Ayin (silent placeholder, traditionally a guttural), Peh (p / f, final form ף), Tzadi (ts, final form ץ), Kuf (k, distinct in pronunciation from Kaf in Yemenite Hebrew), Resh (r), Shin / Sin (sh or s depending on dot placement), Tav (t).heading
Dagesh
Dageshparagraph
A dot inside certain letters (bet, kaf, peh — the [BeGeDKeFeT](/glossary.xml#letter-B) letters in fuller Biblical grammar) hardens the sound. Bet without dagesh is v; Bet with dagesh (ב vs. בּ) is b. Kaf with dagesh is k; without, kh. Peh with dagesh is p; without, f. The shin/sin dot determines whether the letter is shin (sh, dot on the right) or sin (s, dot on the left).
A dot inside certain letters (bet, kaf, peh — the BeGeDKeFeT letters in fuller Biblical grammar) hardens the sound. Bet without dagesh is v; Bet with dagesh (ב vs. בּ) is b. Kaf with dagesh is k; without, kh. Peh with dagesh is p; without, f. The shin/sin dot determines whether the letter is shin (sh, dot on the right) or sin (s, dot on the left).heading
Final Forms
Final Formsparagraph
Five letters take distinct final forms when appearing at the end of a word: kaf (ך), mem (ם), nun (ן), peh (ף), tzadi (ץ). The shape changes; the sound does not (with one exception in Biblical Hebrew, where mem sofit indicated a different vowel pattern — relevant only for advanced study).
Five letters take distinct final forms when appearing at the end of a word: kaf (ך), mem (ם), nun (ן), peh (ף), tzadi (ץ). The shape changes; the sound does not (with one exception in Biblical Hebrew, where mem sofit indicated a different vowel pattern — relevant only for advanced study).heading
Gematria
Gematriaparagraph
Each letter has a numerical value, used in Jewish numerology (gematria), in the dating of Hebrew years, and in some midrashic interpretations. Aleph=1, bet=2, gimel=3, dalet=4, heh=5, [vav](/glossary.xml#letter-V)=6, zayin=7, chet=8, tet=9, [yod](/glossary.xml#letter-Y)=10, kaf=20, lamed=30, mem=40, nun=50, samech=60, ayin=70, peh=80, tzadi=90, kuf=100, resh=200, shin=300, tav=400. The current Hebrew year (5786 in fall 2025 / 5787 from [Rosh Hashanah](/glossary.xml#letter-R) 2026) is written תשפ״ו or תשפ״ז.
Each letter has a numerical value, used in Jewish numerology (gematria), in the dating of Hebrew years, and in some midrashic interpretations. Aleph=1, bet=2, gimel=3, dalet=4, heh=5, vav=6, zayin=7, chet=8, tet=9, yod=10, kaf=20, lamed=30, mem=40, nun=50, samech=60, ayin=70, peh=80, tzadi=90, kuf=100, resh=200, shin=300, tav=400. The current Hebrew year (5786 in fall 2025 / 5787 from Rosh Hashanah 2026) is written תשפ״ו or תשפ״ז.heading
Learning the Letters
Learning the Lettersparagraph
Memorize 4–5 letters a day. Use the Shalom Uvrachah primer or Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks for sequenced practice. The [aleph](/glossary.xml#letter-A)-bet song (set to many Jewish melodies; Debbie Friedman’s setting is popular in [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) circles) is widely used in Hebrew school and works for adults too. Hebrew alphabet posters (the user has the Hebrew Alphabet Print & Cursive A3 poster among their purchases) are useful for daily review. Flash cards work.
Memorize 4–5 letters a day. Use the Shalom Uvrachah primer or Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks for sequenced practice. The aleph-bet song (set to many Jewish melodies; Debbie Friedman’s setting is popular in Reform circles) is widely used in Hebrew school and works for adults too. Hebrew alphabet posters (the user has the Hebrew Alphabet Print & Cursive A3 poster among their purchases) are useful for daily review. Flash cards work.heading
Where Denominations Diverge
Where Denominations Divergeparagraph
The [aleph-bet](/glossary.xml#letter-A) is the same across all denominations and all of Jewish history. The pronunciation differs by community — [Ashkenazi](/glossary.xml#letter-A) (the historical European pronunciation, still used in Yiddish and in some Ashkenazi [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) synagogues), [Sephardi](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (used in modern Israel), Yemenite (preserving certain distinctions absent from both Ashkenazi and Sephardi). Modern Hebrew uses Sephardi pronunciation as standard.
The aleph-bet is the same across all denominations and all of Jewish history. The pronunciation differs by community — Ashkenazi (the historical European pronunciation, still used in Yiddish and in some Ashkenazi Orthodox synagogues), Sephardi (used in modern Israel), Yemenite (preserving certain distinctions absent from both Ashkenazi and Sephardi). Modern Hebrew uses Sephardi pronunciation as standard.heading
Sources
Sourcesparagraph
[Talmud](/glossary.xml#letter-T) Bavli, [Shabbat 104a](https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.104a) — on the shapes and meanings of the letters.
Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 104a — on the shapes and meanings of the letters.paragraph
[Sefer Yetzirah](https://www.sefaria.org/Sefer_Yetzirah) — the mystical treatment of the 22 letters.
Sefer Yetzirah — the mystical treatment of the 22 letters.paragraph
[Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Mishneh Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-M), [Hilchot Tefillin 1:8–19](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Tefillin,_Mezuzah_and_the_Torah_Scroll.1) — on the precise script of [stam](/glossary.xml#letter-S).
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Tefillin 1:8–19 — on the precise script of stam.paragraph
[Hebrew: Hebrew Alphabet (Aleph-Bet)](https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/history-wing/modern-jewish-history/other-19/the-hebrew-alphabet-aleph-bet) — Jewish Virtual Library.
Hebrew: Hebrew Alphabet (Aleph-Bet) — Jewish Virtual Library.paragraph
[The Hebrew Alphabet](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4069287/jewish/The-Hebrew-Alphabet.htm) — Chabad.org.
The Hebrew Alphabet — Chabad.org.paragraph
[Megillah 2b](https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.2b) — Sefaria.
Megillah 2b — Sefaria.paragraph
[Sanhedrin 22a](https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.22a) — Sefaria.
Sanhedrin 22a — Sefaria.heading
Further Reading
Further Readingparagraph
Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks.
Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks.paragraph
Shalom Uvrachah Primer.
Shalom Uvrachah Primer.paragraph
Sarah Bunin Benor, Hebrew at the Crossroads.
Sarah Bunin Benor, Hebrew at the Crossroads.hebrew-why-learn-hebrewWhy Learn Hebrew?/articles/hebrew-why-learn-hebrew.xmlhebrew-vowels-nikkudVowels (Nikkud)/articles/hebrew-vowels-nikkud.xmlhebrew-cantillation-teamim-tropeCantillation (Te’amim / Trope)/articles/hebrew-cantillation-teamim-trope.xmlhebrew-a-practical-learning-planA Practical Learning Plan/articles/hebrew-a-practical-learning-plan.xmlhebrew-cantillation-teamim-tropeCantillation (Te’amim / Trope)deeper/articles/hebrew-cantillation-teamim-trope.xmlAshkenaziאשכנזיDescribing Jews whose families trace to Central and Eastern Europe, and the customs, liturgy, and Hebrew pronunciation of those communities. The broad counterpart terms are Sephardi and Edot HaMizrach.Mishneh Torahמִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָהThe Rambam's monumental 12th-century code of Jewish law — the first work to organize the whole of Halacha systematically, from prayer to Temple service.Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations.how-to-use-this-field-guideRambamרמב״םRabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations.essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-godRashi scriptכְּתַב רַשִׁ"יktav RashiThe semi-cursive Hebrew typeface in which medieval commentaries are traditionally printed — named for Rashi, though he himself never wrote in it.Reform JudaismReform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis.how-to-use-this-field-guideRosh Hashanahרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָהThe Jewish New Year, observed on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei with the sounding of the shofar; it opens the Ten Days of Repentance that culminate in Yom Kippur.holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanahSTaMסת״םAn acronym for sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzot — the sacred texts a sofer writes by hand on parchment, all governed by the same scribal laws.SephardiסְפָרַדִּיA Jew whose family traces to medieval Spain and Portugal — and, in common usage, to the broader communities of the Mediterranean and Middle East that follow Sephardic law and liturgy. The plural is Sephardim.TalmudתלמודThe vast rabbinic work — the Mishnah together with the Gemara's discussion of it — that develops the Oral Torah into Jewish law and thought. It is the central text of Jewish study after the Bible itself.essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-articlealephאThe first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is silent — it carries whatever vowel it is given — and has the numerical value of one.hebrew-the-aleph-betaleph-betאלף־ביתThe Hebrew alphabet, named for its first two letters. It has twenty-two letters, five of which take special final forms, and is read from right to left.hebrew-the-aleph-betbeged kefetבג"ד כפ"תThe memory-word for the six Hebrew letters — bet, gimel, dalet, kaf, peh, tav — whose pronunciation can change depending on whether they carry a dot (dagesh).hebrew-the-aleph-betdageshדָּגֵשׁThe dot placed inside a Hebrew letter, which can harden its sound — turning 'v' into 'b,' for instance — or mark a doubled letter.hebrew-the-aleph-betgematriaגִּימַטְרִיָּהThe traditional system that assigns each Hebrew letter a numerical value, letting words be compared and interpreted through their sums.sofitסופיתThe 'final' form of a Hebrew letter — five letters (kaf, mem, nun, peh, tzadi) change shape when they appear at the end of a word.vavווThe sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, pronounced 'v'; it also serves as a vowel letter for the sounds 'o' (cholam) and 'u' (shuruk).yodיודThe tenth and smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, pronounced 'y'; it also serves as a vowel letter for 'i' and 'ei' sounds.parentHebrew/sections/hebrew.xmlrelatedWhy Learn Hebrew?/articles/hebrew-why-learn-hebrew.xmlrelatedVowels (Nikkud)/articles/hebrew-vowels-nikkud.xmlrelatedCantillation (Te’amim / Trope)/articles/hebrew-cantillation-teamim-trope.xmlrelatedA Practical Learning Plan/articles/hebrew-a-practical-learning-plan.xmlrelatedCantillation (Te’amim / Trope)/articles/hebrew-cantillation-teamim-trope.xml