Column #93. Contents of this weekly column are (mostly) based on the sefer: EIM LAMIKRA HASHALEIM, by R' Nissan Sharoni, Ashdod, a guide to correct pronunciation of Hebrew, specifically in davening and Torah reading.

As I've said before, besides the wonderful sefer by R' Nissan Sharoni that has been the main source for this column, are the wonderful comments of several readers, which have greatly enhanced this column over the many months it has been running.

Here's a comment from AA, which may or may not be tongue-in-cheek:
In response to the difference between VAYIKATZ and VAYIKETZ: While I have no textual proof for this, could the reason there is a slight linguistic difference be because Noach was drunk? It is VAYIKETZ NO'ACH MI'YEINO, while I think the other examples are all from regular sleep - ¸VAYIKATZ YAAKOV N'SHNATO AND VAYIKATZ PARO V'HINEI CHALOM:

And DK/BE writes on the DOT in the ALEF issue (and something else)...
I agree that in the word:(V'YA-DIR) there is a very brief pause between the ALEF and the DALET. This is accomplished by lengthening the time spent on YA, or perhaps with an extremely short silent pause between YA and DIR.

I do not agree that it is a "glottal" pause. www.dictionary.com define "glottal catch" as "an effect produced upon the breath or voice by a sudden opening or closing of the glottis (the opening between the vocal cords at the upper part of the larynx)". That would you mean that you pronounce it: V'YA-A-DIR or V'YA-EH-DIR, with an "almost" syllable between YA and DIR. But the SH'VA (under the ALEF) is necessarily NACH, as in the word: NECHMAD; only in this case, there is an ALEF over the SH'VA NACH, which contributes no sound at all. The difference in pronunciation between V'YA-A-DIR and V'YA-EH-DIR(that is, V'YADIR with or without the ALEF-SH'VA, but other than that with the exact same NIKUD) is that when spelt with the ALEF, the DAGESH in the DALET is KAL, so that its effect is only to make the DALET hard, (that is with a D sound, rather than TH as in 'then'). When V'YADIR is spelled without the ALEF, the DAGESH in the DALET is CHAZAK, which means that in addition, it has the affect of doubling the DALET. Therefore, in this case (that is, with no ALEF-SH'VA) you wouldn't have to elongate the V'YA of V'YADIR to close the first syllable.
(Ed. note: It took me three readings to understand DK's point, so if you didn't follow on your first reading, don't be discouraged - read it again, slower.)

Back to DK's comments...
On another topic: In BIRKAT KOHANIM, there are five poly-syllabic words ending in -CHA or -KA. The first of these is pronounced MILRA, and the other 4, MIL'EIL. Most Kohanim I've heard get them all wrong. Perhaps you might comment. Also, note that in the word Y'VA-RECH'CHA, the CHA is emphasized, and there is a secondary(lighter) emphasis on the Y'VA.
Thanks, DK, and I think I will comment. (I think we've done this before, but it doesn't hurt to repeat. This presentation is for Kohanim, for the SHALI'ACH TZIBUR who calls out the words for the Kohanim, and can often guide them to correct (or incorrect) pronunciation), and for parents who bless their children.

Y'VARECHECHA HASHEM V'YISHMARECHA: Y'EIR HASHEM PANAV E'LECHA V'CHUNECHA: YISA HASHEM PANAV E'LECHA V'YASEM LECHA SHALOM:

Three p'sukim; 15 words.

First word - accent on the last syllable. Third word - accent on the RE (next to the last syllable). 7th & 8th words - next to the last syllables. ei-LE-cha and vi-chu-NE-ka. 12th word, ei-LE-cha again. Follow the TROP marks for correct stresses.

[The Parshat Chayei Sara Homepage]
[The TORAH tidbits Homepage] [How to use TORAH tidbits]
[About The OU/NCSY Israel Center] [About TORAH tidbits]
[www.ou.org]