Kamatz is an acronym for “ אור קדמון אור מצוחצח אור צח —The primordial, bright, and pure light.” This level of illumination is so overwhelming that one cannot fully appreciate or internalize it.

Kamatz or qamatz (Modern Hebrew: קָמָץ, IPA: [kaˈmats]; alternatively קָמֶץ qāmeṣ) is a Hebrew niqqud (vowel) sign represented by two perpendicular lines (looking like an uppercase T) ָ ‎ underneath a letter. In modern Hebrew, it usually indicates the phoneme / a / which is the "a" sound in the word spa and is transliterated as a.

Sep 1, 2022 · I have seen sources, for example the Artscroll transliterated siddur, that say that the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the kamatz vowel is "aw," as in the first syllable of "often," whereas other sources, for example the Artscroll Schottenstein Talmud, say that the pronunciation is "uh" as in the first syllable of "ago."

The vowel hataf-kamatz, the kamatz together with the two-dot Sh’va is also pronounced “aw.” For those unsure of how to distinguish between the two types, I include this document that lists all of the kamatz katan types that appear in Megillat Eichah.

There are three AH vowels in Hebrew. All three make a sound like the first syllable of the word “autumn.” All 3 AH vowels have a horizontal line as part of the vowel. None of the other vowels have horizontal lines; so, if you see one, you automatically assume that it is an AH vowel. 1. Kamatz AH Vowel.

May 3, 2009 · A kamatz gadol, the more commonly found one, is pronounced like a patach, ah, in sefardic. a kamatz kattan is pronounced "aw" as in New Yawk, but not quite so extreme--don't purse your lips so far, it's not a diphthong.

The Ashkenazic pronunciation merges both sounds for into a single sound more or less like the "aw" in "paw." Israelis often "fix" this by using modern spellings that use for the O sound of Kamatz Katan to avoid confusion.

Nov 11, 2024 · According to the Tikkun Simanim (following Minchat Shai), the phrase קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ קׇֽדָשִׁ֨ים (i.e., without a "hey" on the second word) takes a kamatz, whereas the phrase with a "hey" on the second word takes a kamatz katan.

Most Ashkenazim, along with Yemenites, pronounce both approximately as "aw" in claw, draw. Some Ashkenazim pronounce qames gadhol as "aw" and qames qatan as "o". Great confusion has resulted when people from an Ashkenazic background make a partial switch to Modern Hebrew pronunciation.

However, if it follows a chirik, tzere, or segol, and lacks punctuation, it is not transcribed. Also, if it follows a kamatz, lacks punctuation, and precedes a vav, it is not transcribed. ע - is not transcribed; however, see exceptions, below. ִי‏ - (chirik male) - i. ְ - (sh'va nach) - is not transcribed; however, see exceptions, below.