AboutGaddy Yaari Expertise What I do: I'll help you understand Hebrew phrases or single words, as well as answer questions about Jewish practices.
What I don't do: Tattoo translations. For that, try http://www.stars21.com/translator/english_to_hebrew.html
Experience I am a columnist for a Hebrew-language newspaper, and a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Education/Credentials MBA
BA in the US,
Grade school and high school in Israel
Expert: Gaddy Yaari Date: 6/22/2008 Subject: gender of Hebrew letters
Question Please,
I ran across a chart some time ago on the net, in which a Rabbi broke down the 22 characters according to their gender. I've been unable to find it again, and am currently in the course of a work of art for which such information would be very useful. Can you tell me what the tradition is regarding the gender of Hebrew letters, or direct me to someone who can? Thank you for your time.
Answer Travis,
I am not familiar with the gender breakdown you are referring to. Technically, all characters are feminine because 'Ott' ('charactetr' in Hebrew) is a feminine noun.
However, some of the characters, although feminine, have meanings which are masculine. Aleph, for instance, is a bull. Bet is a house. Both bull and house are masculine nouns. Perhaps that is what the chart you are referring to showed - a gender breakdown of the meanings.
