Kaf

Kaf means "palm" -- the palm of the hand, the hollow of a spoon, the curved vessel that holds and gives. The Kabbalists teach that Kaf represents the power of actualization, the ability to take potential and shape it into reality through the work of one's hands. The open palm is simultaneously a symbol of giving (extending an open hand to another) and receiving (cupping the hand to accept a gift). Kaf embodies both directions of the flow of blessing. In Kabbalah, Kaf is associated with the sefirah of Keter (Crown) -- the highest, most transcendent point of divine emanation. This connection seems paradoxical: the lowly palm of the hand linked to the most exalted spiritual reality. But the teaching is that God's infinite light must be "held" in a vessel (a kaf, a container) to be received by finite beings. Kaf is that vessel, the shape of divine accommodation, the curvature of grace that allows the overwhelming to become accessible. The gematria of 20 connects Kaf to the concept of exchange and transformation. Twenty silver pieces was the price for which Joseph was sold, a transaction that ultimately led to the salvation of the entire family. The crown (keter) and the palm (kaf) meet in the act of coronation -- a crown is placed by hands, and sovereignty is actualized through deeds. Kaf reminds us that true royalty is expressed through service.

Kaf has two pronunciations. With a dagesh (dot inside), it sounds like "K" as in "king" (כּ). Without a dagesh, it softens to a guttural "Kh" sound (כ), identical to Chet in modern Israeli Hebrew, though traditionally they were distinct sounds. This dual pronunciation follows the pattern of the begadkephat letters (Bet, Gimel, Dalet, Kaf, Pe, Tav) that alternate between hard and soft sounds. Kaf is one of the five letters with a final form. In the middle of a word, it appears as כ (a rounded, C-like shape). At the end of a word, it extends below the baseline as ך (final Kaf or "Kaf sofit"). The final form descends like a tail, making it visually distinct. Be careful not to confuse the regular Kaf with Bet (ב) -- Kaf is more rounded while Bet is more angular with a pointed base.