What is כ?

כ (Kaph, Kaf, or Chaf) is the eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

• Numerical Value: It has a numerical value of 20.

• Pronunciation: It has two possible pronunciations:

  • Kaf (כּ): Pronounced like the "k" in "kite."
  • Chaf (כ): Pronounced like the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch" (a guttural sound). This pronunciation occurs when the letter appears without a dagesh (dot) in the center and is not at the beginning of a word immediately after a vowel. In modern Hebrew, this pronunciation often softens towards an "h" sound, or disappears entirely depending on the regional accent.

• Final Form: It has a final form, ך, used at the end of a word. Its name is Kaf Sofit (final Kaf).

• Meaning: In ancient Hebrew, it is thought to have represented a palm of a hand.

• Gematria: In Gematria, כ represents the number 20. The final form ך, however, is sometimes assigned a different value within extended Gematria systems.

• Uses: Like other Hebrew letters, כ is used in various ways, including in forming words, representing numbers, and having symbolic meanings in Jewish mysticism such as Kabbalah.

• Variations: The presence or absence of the dagesh affects its pronunciation, and different regional accents further influence how it's pronounced.