Hebrew Alphabet | Torah Hebrew Letters The Original Aleph Bet

Torah Letters - The Alef Beit

Alef

The Alef is a combination of two Yuds and a Vav. Even though the bottom leg isn't exactly a Yud, however it is its original formation. The major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters is that they only need to contain the general appearance of the letters and not the specific details.

Beit

The Beit is a combination of a Dalet into the throat of a Vav. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Gimel

The Gimel contains a head shaped as a square just like a Zayin. Its left leg goes to the direction of the Dalet to be Gomel Dalim as Hazal explained. There are three Tagim that look like Zayinim on top of its head as mentioned in the Talmud. All letters that are similar to the head of the Zayin, which are the Gimel, Zayin, Tet, Nun, Ayin, Tzadi and Shin all require three Tagim on top of their heads. These letters are also known as Shaatnez Getz, an abbreviation in Hebrew for those letters.

Dalet

The Dalet is a combination of a two Vavs. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Hay

The Hay is a combination of a Dalet and a Yud. It is critical to hang the left leg (Yud), otherwise it is pasul. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Vav

The Vav is a letter of its own, basically a Yud with an extended leg.

Zayin

The Zayin is a letter of its own. Kindly refer to the Gimel to learn about the Tagim.

Het

The Het is a combination of a two Zayinim with a tall roof above them, in addition to a pole (antenna) placed on the top left portion of its left Zayin. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Tet

The Tet is a combination of a Caf and a Zayin. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters. Also refer to the Gimel to learn about the tagim.

Yud

The Yud is a letter of its own. Although it is the smallest it is very valuable. Hashem's Holy Name begins with the letter Yud. It's better not to put a Tag on a Yud, because it may appear as a Lamed to a child and make the scroll writings pasul. In Safruth we often depend on a child's view, since his judgement tends to be more fair and balanced. Rabbi Shlomo has tested this, and found that the clearest Yuds that contain a Tag placed precisely on the center of its head, which cannot be mistaken for a Lamed by adults , has actually been read as a Lamed by a child. Therefore, he concluded never to place a Tag on a Yud. The Kashruth of scrolls are first priority and should always be preferred over beauty.

Caf

The Caf contains rounded edges to its back side. This attribute is what distinguishes it from a Beit.

Caf Sofit

The Caf Sofit is a Caf that had its base bent backward till pointed down. The Caf Sofit is also known as Caf Peshuta, which means extended in Hebrew. This factor is true to all sofiot letters, that the only difference between them and the regular version, is if they're bent forwards or bent backwards, usually till straightened.

Lamed

The Lamed is a combination of a Caf and a Vav. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Mem

The Mem is a combination of a Nun and a Vav. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Mem Sofit

The Mem Sofit is a closed Mem, where the Vav is maneuvered till it stands straight.

Nun

The Nun is like a Vav with a head of a Zayin and includes a base. Kindly refer to the Gimel to learn about the Tagim.

Nun Sofit

The Nun Sofit is a Nun where its base is bent backwards till pointing downwards. Kindly refer to the Caf Sofit to learn about the rule concerning Sofiot letters.

Samech

The Samech is a combination of a Caf and a Vav. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Ayin

The Ayin is a combination of two Vavim combined to a base. The left Vav contains a head shaped as a Zayin where Tagim are placed. Kindly refer to the Gimel to learn about the Tagim.

Pei

The Pei is a combination of a Caf and an upside down Vav, where its inner white portion appears like a Beit with a pointed heal. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Pei Sofit

The Pei Sofit is a combination of a Caf Sofit and an upside down Vav. Kindly refer to the Caf Sofit to learn about the rule concerning Sofiot letters.

Tzadi

The Tzadi is a combination of a Nun and a Yud. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters. Also refer to the Gimel to learn about the Tagim.

Tzadi Sofit

The Tzadi Sofit is a combination of a Nun Sofit and a Yud. Kindly refer to the Caf Sofit to learn about the rule concerning Sofiot letters.

Kuf

The Kuf is a combination of a Caf and a Nun Sofit. It is critical to hang the leg (Nun Sofit), otherwise it is pasul. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

Raish

The Raish is a letter of its own. Its top right edge must be round, if not then it is considered a Dalet and is pasul.

Shin

The Shin is a combination of three Vavim standing on one leg. The right and middle heads are bent slightly to differ them from the left head which is to have Tagim placed on it. Kindly refer to the Gimel to learn about the Tagim.

Tav

The Tav is a combination of a Raish and an upside down Vav. It is the last letter of the Hebrew Alef Beit. Kindly refer to the Alef to learn about the major rule concerning letters made up from combination of other letters.

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Rabbi Shlomo Levy

Torah Letters - The Alef Beit