Beth ב
Caph כ
Daleth ד
Caph ך
Resch ר
Vau ו
Zain ז
Jod י
Nun ן
Mem ם
Samech ס
Gimel ג
Nun נ
He ה
Cheth ח
Thau ת
Teth ט
Mem מ
Ain ע
Tzaddi צ
The dividing of Hebrew words not being permitted, the five following
letters are cast broad to enable the compositor to justify the lines
without irregular spacing:—
Aleph ﬡ
He ﬣ
Lamed ﬥ
Mem ﬦ
Thau ﬨ
Hebrew has no capitals, and therefore letters of the same shape, but of
a larger body, are used at the beginning of chapters and other parts of
Hebrew works.
Hebrew reads from the right to the left, which is the case with all other
Oriental languages, except Ethiopic and Armenian. In composing it, the
general method is to place the nick of the letter downward, and after
putting the points to the top, to turn the line and set the points that
come under the letters. If the letter has but one leg, the point is
placed immediately under it; but where the letter has two legs, it is put
under the centre.
The Masoretic points or vowels are subjoined under the consonant בּ
(beth).