Hebrew for Kids: Silent Letters (4)

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There is only one official ‘silent’ letter in the Hebrew alphabet, the ALEPH. However, in modern-day Israel, the AYIN is regarded as silent by many. The letter HEI is sometimes silent as well.

The ALEPH – א
English words may begin with a vowel (as, in, are). Not so Hebrew. The one exception is the conjunction ‘VAV’ – as in UGA U’GLIDA, cake, and ice cream. (Normally, the symbol for the vowel ‘U’ in Hebrew is a ‘VAV’ with a dot in its belly.)

When Hebrew words begin with the sound of a vowel, like ADAM, the silent ALEPH is there to hold the vowel. When the ALEPH does not hold a vowel, it is silent. For example, ALEPH BET ALEPH (אבא) spells ABBA (father). The first ALEPH holds the vowel ‘aa,’ the second is silent.

The AYIN – ע
The AYIN is not officially a silent letter; it has a sound. However, most Ashkenazi Jews and a growing number of Sephardi Jews treat the AYIN as they do the ALEPH. Modern Hebrew treats the ALEPH and the AYIN in the same fashion.

And then there is the Hei.

The Letter HEI – ה
The HEI sounds like ‘h’ in honey. The HEI without a vowel at the end of a word is silent. For example, A-HA-VA (הבהא), love, spelled ALEPH HEI VET HEI; the first HEI sound is HA while the second HEI at the end of the word is silent.
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STAY TUNED FOR MORE!
Coming soon, the Hebrew alphabet, one letter at a time!
Each of the Hebrew letters has a story to tell.
But first, so you have a more comprehensive picture, a bit more about the alphabet.

A Taste of Hebrew
For English Speaking Kids

GET ALL SIX ‘A Taste of HEBREW’ books for Kids
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4. Animals in Hebrew – http://amzn.to/2fsHqMy
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MazorBooks also offers two Hebrew Alphabet workbooks:
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2. The Hebrew Alphabet: Read, Write & Color (ages 6 & up) – http://amzn.to/2mJR6G5  

Check out http://www.MazorBooks.com/hebrew.htm for more information

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