Working with the Hebrew Letters

This section gives a brief overview of the sequence of postures in Ophanim.

Click on the hyperlinks below to view photos of the postures.

The practice of Ophanim is based on the oldest text of the Kabala, the Sefer Yetzirah, which means the "Book of Creation." In this book, the Hebrew letters are arranged in four groups called "Mothers," "Doubles," "Simples," and "Finals."

Mothers:

Aleph-everyday

Mem-everyday

Shin-everyday

Doubles:

Bet-Sunday

Gimel-Monday

Dalet-Tuesday

Chaf-Wednesday

Peh-Thursday

Resh-Friday

Tav-Saturday

Simples:

Related to Hebrew months, counting from the first month of spring)

Heh-1 Nisan

Vav-2 Iyar

Zayin-3 Sivan

Chet-4 Tammuz

Tet-5 Av

Yud-6 Elul

Lamed-7 Tishrei

Nun-8 Heshvan

Samech-9 Kislev

Ayin-10 Tevet

Tzadi-11 Shevat

Kuf-12 Adar

Finals:

Mem-everyday

Nun-Heshvan

Tzadi-Shevat

Peh-Thursday

Chaf-Wednesday

Mother letters are practiced every day. Double letters are practiced on their respective day of the week. Simple letters are practiced during their respective months. Final letters are practiced in conjunction with their regular counterparts or may all be done for an extended daily practice.