Learn Hebrew The Fun & Easy Way: Hebrew Handwriting - an introduction to cursive Hebrew

Copyright © 2012 Eti Shani, André Klein

handwriting, vocabulary and instructions: Eti Shani

concept and realization: André Klein

learnoutlive.com

DRM-free

Introduction

LEARNING HEBREW is often approached in a very academic way. While that may be a valid approach for theology seminars, this book (and its siblings in this series) put the fun part first. Yes, Hebrew is more than 2,000 years old, and yes, it's the original language of the Bible, but does that mean we can't find a way to access it in a light and natural way? Of course not.

The topic of this book is cursive Hebrew for beginners, and it is designed to teach Hebrew handwriting in the most straightforward and visual fashion. No previous knowledge is required, but it helps if you are somewhat familiar with the printed Hebrew alphabet. During the course of this book you will learn how to read the 22 Hebrew cursive letters (and the 5 ending letters), how to write them in a step-by-step process, and at the end you'll be able to read whole words in cursive Hebrew and expand your vocabulary.

NOTE: As with all handwriting, cursive Hebrew has many different variations. The styles and shapes used in this beginner's guide are based on Modern Hebrew and modeled after the way cursive Hebrew is currently taught and used in Israel.

This book contains:

- visualizations of the 22 Hebrew cursive letters (and 5 ending letters)

- side-by-side comparison between printed and cursive letters

- step-by-step writing instructions for each letter

- special notes designed to improve memorization

- many examples showing the cursive letters in everyday writing

- additional in-text navigation for easier referencing

The 22 Hebrew Letters

Note: Each of the 22 letters appears in three sections: 1. the letter itself, 2. the construction manual, 3. the example. The first section also includes special navigation links to quickly jump from letter to letter (or to their sofiyot). For more guidelines regarding the proportions of the letters and their relative positions, see the chapter Overview & Summary.

Aleph

aleph

[next]

Aleph Construction

Note: The cursive aleph consists of two parts: a semi-circle and a vertical line

Instruction: Begin with the right part of the aleph, starting at the upper right (a1) and drawing a semi-circle downwards (a2). Then, a bit higher, add the left part by drawing a straight line from the top (b1) to the bottom (b2).

Aleph Example

abah

(father)

Bet

bet

[previous] - [next]

Bet Construction

Note: The cursive bet consists of only one line which looks a bit like a person "sitting" on the ground with cocked legs and bent back.

Instruction: Begin at the upper left (a1) and draw a gentle arc to the lower right, make a sharp turn (a2) and go up again in the same angle to about the middle (a3) of the first line, and gently lead to the bottom (a4).

Bet Example

bah

(came)

Gimel

gimel

[previous] - [next]

Gimel Construction

Note: The cursive gimel is very similar to the cursive e in English, except that it starts from above.

Instruction: Start at the upper left (a1), swoop down into a leftwards loop (a2) and come out on the lower right (a3).

Gimel Example

gahl

(wave)

Dalet

dalet

[previous] - [next]

Dalet Construction

Note: The cursive dalet is very simple if you remember that it's written very much like the English number 3 with a little loop. It is like a mirror image of the cursive gimel, only with a more pronounced top (see our example word below which has both a gimel and a dalet).

Instruction: Start at the upper left (a1), swoop down into a rightwards loop (a2) and come out on the lower left (a3).

Dalet Example

dahg

(fish)

Hey

hey

[previous] - [next]

Hey Construction

Note: The cursive hey is very similar to the regular hey, consisting of two lines, except that it looks a bit more "wavy".

Instruction: Start at the upper left (a1) and draw a semi-circle to the bottom (a2). Continue with the second line in the same fashion (b1 - b2), but smaller and with a slightly sharper angle.

Hey Example

haggadáh

(legend, parable; text recited on Passover)

Vav

vav

[previous] - [next]

Vav Construction

Note: This is the simplest letter, both in its printed and cursive form. It's just a straight line!

Instruction: Draw a straight line from the top (a1) to the bottom (a2).

Vav Example

vilón

(curtain)

Zayn

zayn

[previous] - [next]

Zayn Construction

Note: The cursive zayn is drawn in a single stroke and looks very much like the number 5, only without the roof.

Instruction: Draw a short straight line from the top (a1) down (a2) and finish with a rightwards swooping semi-circle (a3).

Zayn Example

zayit

(olive)

Chet

chet

[previous] - [next]

Chet Construction

Note: The cursive chet consists of two parts, a curve and a vertical line.

Instruction: Start with the first part by drawing a curve from the upper left (a1) to the lower right (a2). Then, starting from the same area (b1), draw a vertical line towards the bottom (b2).

Chet Example

chaveeláh

(package)

Tet

tet

[previous] - [next]

Tet Construction

Note: The cursive tet looks like the beginning of a spiral or a snail shell.

Instruction: Start in the middle (a1), move down- and leftwards, and spiral out at the upper right (a2).

Tet Example

tahl

(dew)

Yod

yod

[previous] - [next]

Yod Construction

Note: The cursive yod is very similar to the vav we've seen above, except that it's a lot shorter.

Instruction: Draw a short line from the top (a1) down (a2) to about 3/4 of the height of your line.

Yod Example

yam

(sea)

Kaph

kaph

[previous] - [next]

[kaph sofit]

Kaph Construction

Note: The cursive kaph looks like a "mirror image" of the capital letter C in English

Instruction: Draw a rightwards semi-circle beginning at the upper middle left (a1) and ending at the bottom (a2).

Kaph Example

keetáh

(class)

Lamed

Lamed

[previous] - [next]

Lamed Construction

Note: The cursive lamed consists of one single curved line with a little "ear" on the left.

Instruction: Start in the middle (a1), draw a little leftwards loop to the bottom and swoop up to the upper right (a2).

Lamed Example

lohméd

(learn)

Mem

Mem

[previous] - [next]

[mem sofit]

Mem Construction

Note: The cursive mem looks exactly like the capital N in English, but it's written in reverse.

Instruction: Start at the upper right (a1), go straight down (a2), come up to the left (a3) in a sharp angle and go down (a4) in a similar angle.

Mem Example

milón

(dictionary)

Nun

Nun

[previous] - [next]

[nun sofit]

Nun Construction

Note: The cursive nun consists of a single curved line.

Instruction: Draw a curve from the upper right (a1) to the bottom left (a2).

Nun Example

náh'ahl

(shoe)

Samech

Samech

[previous] - [next]

Samech Construction

Note: The cursive samech is a simple circle, just like the English O.

Instruction: Draw a rightwards circle beginning at the top middle (a1), and close it from the left (a2).

Samech Example

sahl

(basket)

Ayn

Ayn

[previous] - [next]

Ayn Construction

Note: The cursive ayn looks like a ribbon (upside down) or a simplified fish standing on its head.

Instruction: Start at the upper left (a1), move into a leftwards loop (a2) and come out on the upper right (a3).

Ayn Example

ahfee-fón

(kite)

Peh

Peh

[previous] - [next]

[peh sofit]

Peh Construction

Note: The cursive peh looks like a spiral (similar to the tet, but mirrored)

Instruction: Start at the upper left (a1) and begin a rightwards spiral coming out at the middle (a2).

Peh Example

pahr-páhr

(butterfly)

Tzadik

Tzadik

[previous] - [next]

[tzadik sofit]

Tzadik Construction

Note: The cursive tzadik looks like the number 3. It has the same shape as the cursive dalet, but it's a bit taller.

Instruction: Start at the upper left (a1), swoop down into a rightwards loop (a2) and come out on the lower left (a3).

Tzadik Example

tzah-meed

(bracelet)

Kuf

Kuf

[previous] - [next]

Kuf Construction

Note: The cursive kuf looks a bit like an umbrella and consists of two lines, a vertical and a curved one.

Instruction: Start with the upper line, by making a curve from the upper left (a1) to the middle right (a2). Under this "roof" add a vertical line from top (b1) to bottom (b2).

Kuf Example

kibbutz

(communal settlement)

Reish

Reish

[previous] - [next]

Reish Construction

Note: The cursive reish has the shape of a boomerang

Instruction: Draw a curve from the top (a1) down (a2).

Reish Example

réshet

(net)

Shin

Shin

[previous] - [next]

Shin Construction

Note: The cursive shin is very similar to the cursive e, except that it's written in reverse.

Instruction: From the lower right (a1) start into a rightwards loop and come out at the lower middle (a2).

Shin Example

shalóm

(peace)

Tav

Tav

[previous] - [next]

Tav Construction

Note: The cursive tav consists of two connected curved lines. It's very similar to the printed tav and also has a little "foot" on the lower left.

Instruction: First draw the upper part, starting at the upper left (a1) and curving to the lower right (a2). Then, starting from the same area (b1) draw a curve towards the lower left (b2).

Tav Example

teh-philáh

(prayer)

Sofiyot (Ending Letters)

Note: In Hebrew there are five special ending letters. As the name implies (sof = end) they only appear at the end of words. There are five of the 22 Hebrew letters which appear in a different way whenever they are found at the end of a word. The same five sofiyot occur both in print and cursive, although they differ in shape.

Kaph Sofit

kaph sofit

[previous] - [next]

Kaph Sofit Construction

Note: The cursive kaph sofit is drawn in a single and looks a bit like an ancient shepherd's staff.

Instruction: Start at the upper left, draw a right-swooping semi-circle (a2) and go straight down (a3).

Kaph Sofit Example

kach

(thus, so)

Mem Sofit

Mem Sofit

[previous] - [next]

Mem Sofit Construction

Note: The cursive mem sofit consists of two strokes and looks like the letter P.

Instruction: Start at the upper left (a1), do a full circle (a2) and add a vertical line from the upper left (b1) to the lower left (b2).

Mem Sofit Example

yam

(sea)

Nun Sofit

Nun Sofit

[previous] - [next]

Nun Sofit Construction

Note: The cursive nun sofit is a single vertical line reaching far down.

Instruction: Draw a straight line from the top (a1) down (a2).

Nun Sofit Example

milón

(dictionary)

Peh Sofit

Peh Sofit

[previous] - [next]

Peh Sofit Construction

Note: The cursive peh sofit consists of a single stroke and looks a bit like a clef.

Instruction: At the lower left (a1), go down and do a rightwards loop (a2) leading straight up and into another rightwards loop (a3) that finishes with a little rightwards curve (a4). The lower part of the letter (from a1 down) has about the same height as its upper part.

Peh Sofit Example

sof

(end)

Tzadik Sofit

Tzadik Sofit

[previous]

Tzadik Sofit Construction

Note: The cursive tzadik sofit is drawn in a single stroke with multiple loops.

Instruction: Start at the lower middle left (a1), do a rightwards loop (a2), go all the way up. There, go into a rightwards semi-circle (a3) leading into a rightwards curve (a4).

Tzadik Sofit Example

botz

(mud)

Overview & Summary

Note: As you can see in the below chart, most letters stay between baseline and top line. Tet, lamed, tzadik, peh sofit and tzadik sofit reach above the top line, whereas kuf, kaph sofit and nun sofit reach below the baseline.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Click/tap here to receive free updates about new Hebrew related ebooks, free downloads and more.

You Might Also Like...

Learn Hebrew The Fun & Easy Way: The Hebrew Alphabet - a picture book for Hebrew language learners (not just for children!) (Kindle Edition) available on Amazon UK - Amazon US - Amazon DE - Amazon IT - Amazon FR - Amazon ES

Learning Basic Biblical Hebrew With 10 Popular Phrases From Exodus (Kindle Edition) available on Amazon UK - Amazon US - Amazon DE - Amazon IT - Amazon FR - Amazon ES

Learn Hebrew With Stories And Pictures: Igool Ha Peleh (The Magic Circle) - includes vocabulary, questions and audio (Kindle Edition) available on Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon DE – Amazon IT – Amazon FR – Amazon ES

Hebrew Flash Cards: 99 Essential Words And Phrases For Reading And Understanding Basic Biblical Hebrew (PACK 2) (Kindle Edition) available on Amazon UK - Amazon US - Amazon DE - Amazon IT - Amazon FR - Amazon ES

5 Hebrew Dialogues With Vocabulary, Translation And Exercises (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition) available on Amazon UK - Amazon US - Amazon DE - Amazon IT - Amazon FR - Amazon ES

Jewish Legends, Lore and Lullabies From The Treasure Trove Of Hebrew Tales (Kindle Edition) available on Amazon UK - Amazon US - Amazon DE - Amazon IT - Amazon FR - Amazon ES

Learn Hebrew The Fun & Easy Way: The Hebrew Alphabet - a workbook (includes audio) (Kindle Edition) available on Amazon US | UK | DE | FR | ES | IT

Table of Contents

Introduction

The 22 Hebrew Letters

Aleph

Aleph Construction

Aleph Example

Bet

Bet Construction

Bet Example

Gimel

Gimel Construction

Gimel Example

Dalet

Dalet Construction

Dalet Example

Hey

Hey Construction

Hey Example

Vav

Vav Construction

Vav Example

Zayn

Zayn Construction

Zayn Example

Chet

Chet Construction

Chet Example

Tet

Tet Construction

Tet Example

Yod

Yod Construction

Yod Example

Kaph

Kaph Construction

Kaph Example

Lamed

Lamed Construction

Lamed Example

Mem

Mem Construction

Mem Example

Nun

Nun Construction

Nun Example

Samech

Samech Construction

Samech Example

Ayn

Ayn Construction

Ayn Example

Peh

Peh Construction

Peh Example

Tzadik

Tzadik Construction

Tzadik Example

Kuf

Kuf Construction

Kuf Example

Reish

Reish Construction

Reish Example

Shin

Shin Construction

Shin Example

Tav

Tav Construction

Tav Example

Sofiyot (Ending Letters)

Kaph Sofit

Kaph Sofit Construction

Kaph Sofit Example

Mem Sofit

Mem Sofit Construction

Mem Sofit Example

Nun Sofit

Nun Sofit Construction

Nun Sofit Example

Peh Sofit

Peh Sofit Construction

Peh Sofit Example

Tzadik Sofit

Tzadik Sofit Construction

Tzadik Sofit Example

Overview & Summary

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

You Might Also Like...

Table of Contents

Introduction

The 22 Hebrew Letters

Aleph

Aleph Construction

Aleph Example

Bet

Bet Construction

Bet Example

Gimel

Gimel Construction

Gimel Example

Dalet

Dalet Construction

Dalet Example

Hey

Hey Construction

Hey Example

Vav

Vav Construction

Vav Example

Zayn

Zayn Construction

Zayn Example

Chet

Chet Construction

Chet Example

Tet

Tet Construction

Tet Example

Yod

Yod Construction

Yod Example

Kaph

Kaph Construction

Kaph Example

Lamed

Lamed Construction

Lamed Example

Mem

Mem Construction

Mem Example

Nun

Nun Construction

Nun Example

Samech

Samech Construction

Samech Example

Ayn

Ayn Construction

Ayn Example

Peh

Peh Construction

Peh Example

Tzadik

Tzadik Construction

Tzadik Example

Kuf

Kuf Construction

Kuf Example

Reish

Reish Construction

Reish Example

Shin

Shin Construction

Shin Example

Tav

Tav Construction

Tav Example

Sofiyot (Ending Letters)

Kaph Sofit

Kaph Sofit Construction

Kaph Sofit Example

Mem Sofit

Mem Sofit Construction

Mem Sofit Example

Nun Sofit

Nun Sofit Construction

Nun Sofit Example

Peh Sofit

Peh Sofit Construction

Peh Sofit Example

Tzadik Sofit

Tzadik Sofit Construction

Tzadik Sofit Example

Overview & Summary

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

You Might Also Like...