The Hebrew Alphabet

Learning the Hebrew Consonants

To begin studying Hebrew, you must begin with its character set or script. Click on
a letter below to begin studying how to pronounce, read, and write the letter (start
with Aleph and proceed right-to-left through the entire alphabet):

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Let's Sing It! (for kids)

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Alphabet Flashcards (zipped PDF files) Alphabet Practice Pages (PDF file)

Quick Flashcards (Side 1, Side 2) Practice Grid Pages (blank grid)

Consonants Summary (Alternate) IPod Hebrew Alphabet

Let's Sing It! (for kids) Hebrew Homeschool: Unit One

Some Encouragement for your

Hebrew Studies
Signs and Wonders...
The Hebrew word for "letter" is ot (‫)אוֹת‬, which can also mean "sign" or "wonder." Each letter of the Aleph-Bet,
then, may contain signs that point to wonderful truths about life.

According to midrash, the LORD God Himself taught the alphabet (along with the numerical values,
mathematical relationships, etc. for the letters) to Adam ha-rishon, who then transmitted this knowledge to his
sons, and they passed this to their sons, and so on, until it was taught to Jacob at the School of Shem in
Salem (later renamed Jerusalem). Jacob taught the secrets of the alphabet to Joseph, who used it to decipher
dreams, etc.

The Jewish mystics go so far as to say that the entire cosmos was created from the 22 consonants of the
Hebrew Aleph Bet, called otiyot yesod (‫ )אוֹתיּוֹת ְיסוֹד‬or "foundational letters." Through the otiyot yesod God
formed substance out of chaos and brought forth existence from nonexistence. In other words, the entire
universe is created and sustained by divine language (the Word of God). When the LORD spoke the universe
into existence, His words still echo throughout all of creation, sustaining it and preserving it in being.

Rabbi Oshaya taught: When a human king builds a palace, he does not build it with his skill alone; the
king employs a builder. Moreover, the builder does not bring it out of his own imagination, but consults
a blueprint - a plan and diagram - to know how to arrange the chambers, doors, and passageways of
the palace. In the same way, God as both King and Builder consulted Torah and then created the
world.
- Midrash Genesis Rabbah 1:1

Yeshua the Mashiach is called devar Elohim (‫) ְדַּבר ֱאלִהים‬, the Word of God, and the Aleph and Tav (‫אֶָלף‬
‫) ְוָתו‬, Who upholds all of the created order by the word of His power. It is the Mashiach Yeshua alone Who is
the true yesod (‫ ) ְיסוֹד‬or foundation of life itself. Every holy utterance can be traced back to Him, and He is the
Source and Origin of all that is good, lasting, and righteous. Indeed, Yeshua is called "the zohar of His glory"
(‫)הוּא זַהר ְכּבוֹדוֹ‬, that is, the radiance of the glory of God Himself, who "upholds all things by the word of His
power" (‫( )נוֵֹשׂא כל ִבּ ְדַבר ְגּבוּ ָרתוֹ‬see Heb. 1:3). Since He is the First and the Last, we can see that the otiyot
will all reveal something about Him.

As various acrostics in Scripture reveal, the Hebrew letters and their order are of divine origin. The Hebrew
language is unique in this regard, since you can learn something about God from the Hebrew letters
themselves and their spiritual properties. For instance, some claim that the order of the letters within a word
reveals spiritual properties. For example, if the letters appear in a word in ascending order (i.e., from Tav ->
Aleph), the word connotes compassion (i.e., moving toward Aleph/God), whereas if they appear in a reversed
or descending order (i.e. from Aleph -> Tav), the word connotes the idea of justice. An example of the former
would be the Name "Yah" (‫ ) ָיהּ‬and of the latter, the word "king" (�‫)ֶמֶל‬. Other words are formed in "triangular"
patterns, combinations of these attributes, etc.

A Blessing for learning Hebrew

The following blessing may be recited thanking the LORD for teaching your hand to write the letters of the
Hebrew aleph-bet:

Barukh ha'melamed et yadi le'sapper et ha'otiyot.

Blessed is the One who has taught my hand

to scribe the letters!
Hebrew Script Styles and STA"M
There are a variety of Hebrew script styles used today, though the Hebrew script used for sacred writing is
called STA"M (an acronym for Sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls), Tefillin (phylacteries), and Mezuzot). STA"M is
written using Ketav Ashurit (Aramaic square script) according to a number of detailed rules of how each letter
is to be formed.

There are three basic types of STA"M writing performed by STA"M certified Jewish soferim (scribes):

1. Bet Yosef - Ketav Yosef is the style of Hebrew script used by Ashkenazi Jews. Its source derives from
the Gemara and Rabbi Yosef Caro - author of the Bet Yosef and Shulchan Aruch:

(This is the style used on this website when displaying the STA"M letters).

2. Bet Ari - Ketav Ari is the Hebrew Script written in accordance to the tradition of Rabbi Isaac Luria,
1534-1572 (also known as the Arizal). In Europe most Chassidim use this script for their Sifrei Torah.
Notice that it is identical to the ketav Yosef except for the letters Aleph, Vav, Chet, Tsade, Tsade Sofit,
and Shin, which have slight modifications:

3. Sefardi - This style of Hebrew script is used by Sephardic Jews:

In each case of script style, however, there are many rules governing the formation of the letters (collectively
known as soferut) so that there be no confusion between the letters written in the sacred writings.

Additonal Tools for this Level:

Step-by-Step Hebrew:

Zola's Introduction to Hebrew

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God's Secrets Revealed in Hebrew!

Learn amazing insights into the Hebrew texts of Scripture from a leading
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The Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar!

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Online Hebrew Training Courses!

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Hebrew Essentials Charts / Audio CD

The Hebrew Essentials Chart and Audio CD Set can help solidify your grasp
on Hebrew grammar and reading. The set includes both the Hebrew Alphabet
and the Hebrew vowel system with a "reading matrix" that shows every letter
connected with every vowel. A separate chart lists the basic verb patterns for
simple verbs in the Present, Past, Future and Imperative tenses. Includes a
reading practice page with two Psalms chapters and a classic Jewish tale. All
texts are slowly narrated on a 72 minute training audio CD.

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 Jumbo Hebrew Flashcards. 8.5"X11" Cover Stock, corner
rounded for child safety. 31 cards (22 alphabet letters, Vet, Chaf,
Fey, Sin + final letters). Printed on high-grade card stock. Learn More
Available in Print, Cursive, or Rashi style. Great for teaching or
self study!

Hebrew-English Keyboard Stickers. Map your English

keystrokes to the Hebrew letters using these handy keyboard
stickers! Fluorescent letters allow work in dim and semi-dark Learn More
environments and are also more comfortable typing in lit areas!

Hebrew Word Pictures by Dr. Frank Seekins. The book that

shows how the ancient Hebrew letters declare the Gospel!
Discover the ancient script that reveals penetrating truth about
the Word of God! Includes an Audio CD that will help you learn Learn More
the word pictures and hear all the examples on your home
stereo.

Ancient Hebrew Alphabet Chart. This is the ultimate Alphabet

Chart, with over 20 alphabets arranged so you can easily
compare Hebrew to any of the languages of Biblical and Modern Learn More
times. Using this chart, you will see how Hebrew has developed
over time. High color, laminated: 16.25 X 12.5.

Hebrew Aleph-Bet Shirts. Now you can display the Hebrew

Aleph-Bet wherever you go! Heavyweight and high-quality, our
shirt fits just right. Available in in sizes from Kids XS - Adult 5XL Learn More
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