Chet

Chet, the eighth letter, represents "life" -- the Hebrew word "chai" (חי, meaning "alive") begins with Chet, and the gematria of chai (Chet + Yod = 8 + 10) equals 18, which is why the number 18 is considered auspicious in Jewish tradition and why monetary gifts are often given in multiples of 18. Chet is thus the letter of vitality, the life force that flows through all creation. The shape of Chet resembles a doorway or a canopy -- two vertical pillars joined by a roof. The Kabbalists see this as the chuppah (wedding canopy), the sacred space where two become one. Chet represents the union of opposites that generates life: male and female, heaven and earth, form and content. The Zohar teaches that Chet is formed by joining a Vav and a Zayin at the top, combining the principles of connection (Vav) and sacred time (Zayin) to produce the miracle of living existence. As the eighth letter, Chet transcends the natural order of seven (the days of creation). Eight represents the supernatural, that which goes beyond nature -- brit milah (circumcision) is performed on the eighth day, and Hanukkah lasts eight days. Chet embodies the Jewish belief that life itself is a miracle that transcends mere natural law, a gift from the infinite that cannot be fully explained by the finite.

Chet produces a guttural "ch" sound, made in the back of the throat, similar to the "ch" in the German "Bach" or the Scottish "loch." This sound does not exist naturally in English. To produce it, constrict the back of the throat and push air through. It should not be confused with the English "ch" as in "church." When writing Chet, it looks like a He (ה) but with the left vertical stroke touching the horizontal top bar, closing the gap. This is a critical distinction -- if the left leg of a Chet does not touch the roof, it becomes a He, changing the word's meaning. In print, Chet appears as a bridge or doorframe shape.