Hebrew Alphabet *

The Hebrew alphabet is an abjad script used in the writing of the Hebrew language and other Jewish languages, most notably Yiddish, Judeo-Spanish, Judeo-Arabic and Judeo-Persian. An abjad is a type of writing system in which each symbol stands for a consonant, in effect leaving it to readers to infer or otherwise supply an appropriate vowel.

The Paleo-Hebrew alphabet also known as Proto-Hebrew, was the script used in the historic kingdoms of Israel and Judah, specifically when recording the Hebrew language.

The Square Script

The modern “Jewish script” or “square script”, on the contrary, is a stylized form of the Aramaic alphabet and was technically known by Jewish sages as Ashurit (lit. “Assyrian script”), since its origins were alleged to be from Assyria. The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters. It does not have case. Five letters have different forms when used at the end of a word. Hebrew is written from right to left.

Song about the Hebrew alphabet: – Aleph Bet Song Music and Lyrics By Naomi Shemer

Oifen PripitchikSong by Jonathan Settel

English translation:
On the hearth, a fire burns,
And in the house it is warm.
And the rabbi is teaching little children,
The alphabet.

Refrain:
See, children, remember, dear ones,
What you learn here;
Repeat and repeat yet again,
“Komets-alef: o!”

Learn, children, with great enthusiasm.
So I instruct you;
He among you who learns Hebrew pronunciation faster –
He will receive a flag.

Learn children, don’t be afraid,
Every beginning is hard;
Lucky is the one has learned Torah,
What more does a person need?

When you grow older, children,
You will understand by yourselves,
How many tears lie in these letters,
And how much lament.

When you, children, will bear the Exile,
And will be exhausted,
May you derive strength from these letters,
Look in at them!