How to Write the Letter Alef?

the letter Aleph

In order for the letter Aleph to be kosher, it must consist of five components: the main body, an upper yud with its leg, and a lower yud with a tag (stroke) connecting it to the body.

In the Arizal script, the right yud is not shaped like a standard yud, but rather like an inverted dalet. In the Vellish script, the tag of the right yud does not face downward, but rather towards the left.

For writing to be classified as "Mehudar A" in Beit Yosef and Arizal scripts, the Aleph must include four kotzim (crowns) marked in green. However, in Sephardic script, some scribes are not strict about the kotzim on the body of the Aleph and are concerned only with the kotzim on the yudin.

Some scribes, in Ashkenazi scripts (Beit Yosef and Arizal), create a slight bend at the bottom of the body of the Aleph, while others create a slight bend at the top. As long as the kotzim are present, even if the bend is missing, the writing may still be considered "Mehudar A".

Some scribes add a small upward stroke resembling a yud’s tag on the upper yud of the Aleph, as mentioned by the Pri Megadim. Others do this only in large script, as brought by the Mikdash Me’at. However, the absence of this feature is not a flaw, and most scribes do not include it.

Additionally, in Ashkenazi script, it is proper for the leg of the right yud to be connected to the body at its midpoint. In Vellish script, the practice is to connect it slightly below the midpoint. If the connection is near the middle, there is no issue. But if the yud is connected at the edge of the body, the letter cannot be considered Mehudar A or even standard Mehudar.

If one of the legs of the Aleph is connected directly to the edge of the roof, the letter is still kosher at various levels, but not mehudar.

The book Kesivah Temimah writes that one should align the upper tag of the upper yud diagonally with the lower tag of the lower yud, so that they are straight opposite each other. Many scribes are not strict on this point, and its absence does not detract from the level of hiddur.

Practical Summary:

Mehudar A:

1. The letter must have four kotzim in addition to the five main components.

   
   
   
   

2. The right yud should be connected to the body at or near its center, certainly not near the edge.

   
   
   
   

Mehudar / Mehudar B:

1. Most of the Aleph's kotzim should be present. It is acceptable even if the left kots on the body is not clearly visible.

   
   
   
   

Kosher Lechatchila A:

1. There is no requirement for kotzim on the Aleph.

   
   
   
   

2. The yudin must not be connected to the body at its edge, though close to the edge is acceptable.

   
   
   
   

Kosher Lechatchila B:

Sometimes parts of the Aleph’s yudin are connected at the edge, provided that both yudin are not connected at the edge, which would invalidate the letter.

Invalid (Pasul) or Borderline Kosher:

2. The central line of the letter is not always straight, but not like a letter Reish.

   
   
   
   

3. The upper yud may sometimes be too high like a Vav, or too long like a Reish.

Yud Like Vav

Yud Like Reish

4. The right yud of the Aleph is reversed, or its leg does not extend from the right edge of the roof.

Kosher:

The letter is classified as kosher according to halachic authorities, even though it may contain elements that are only acceptable bedi’avad (after the fact)—such as a body of the Aleph that resembles a Reish, or yudin that are significantly larger than usual.

If both yudin of the Aleph are connected to the body at the same exact point, the Aleph is not considered kosher unless explicitly ruled so by a halachic authority (posek).