The Hebrew alphabet, called the Aleph-Bet, is the foundation of the language. It consists of 22 letters, all of which are consonants. Unlike the Latin alphabet used for English, Hebrew is written and read from right to left.

Each letter has a unique name and sound. Getting to know them is the first step to reading and writing Hebrew. Let's look at all 22 letters.

When you write in Hebrew, you'll use a block script, similar to print letters in English. There is also a cursive script for handwriting, but we'll focus on the block letters first. Remember to form your letters and words starting from the right side of the page and moving left.

Some letters have a different shape when they appear at the very end of a word. These are called final forms. There are five such letters. You use the standard form in the beginning or middle of a word and the final form only at the end.

You might have noticed that all the letters in the Aleph-Bet are consonants. So how do you know which vowel sound to make? Vowels are indicated by a system of dots and dashes called nikud (נִקּוּד). These marks are written above, below, or inside the letters.

In most modern Hebrew writing, like in newspapers and books, the nikud are left out. Native speakers know the words and don't need them. However, they are used in children's books, prayer books, and for teaching the language to learners.

Now that you've seen all the letters, let's review them to help you commit them to memory.

Time to check what you've learned about the Hebrew alphabet.

Mastering these 22 letters is the most important step in your Hebrew journey. Practice recognizing them, saying their sounds, and writing them down.