B’H, for anyone who has ever been frustrated with the standard Hebrew keyboard on Windows, there is now a wonderful new tool that makes typing in Loshon Kodesh simple and sensible.
This is a free computer tool that lets you type Hebrew based on how the letters sound, as well as nekudos. You don’t have to hunt for the letters. It just makes sense.
What does it do?
Type by Sound: You type the English key that sounds like the Hebrew letter. For example, you press M to get a מ (Mem), R to get a ר (Resh), B to get a ב (Beis), and so on.
Automatic Final Letters (Sofis): You don’t have to use the Shift key for a final letter. Just type your word normally. When you press the Spacebar, the last letter will automatically change to its sofis form. For example, if you type s-l-v-m and then press Space, it will become שלום. The מ automatically becomes a ם!
Easy Access to Vowels (Nikkud): You can easily add a kamatz, patach, shva, and other nikkud without any complicated steps.
Smart Keys: Some letters are handled very cleverly. For example:
Tap the ‘a’ key once for an א (Alef).
Tap the ‘a’ key twice quickly for an ע (Ayin).
Tap the ‘s’ key once for a ש (Shin).
Tap the ‘s’ key twice quickly for a ס (Samech).
It’s 100% Free and Safe: This was created for the tzibbur and feedback is always welcomed! I want to make it as easy as possible for the oilam. There is nothing to pay for and it works entirely on your computer without needing any internet after installing it.
It’s simple: After downloading Turn your Caps Lock ON.
When Caps Lock is on, you type in this new, easy Hebrew. When you turn Caps Lock off, your keyboard goes back to typing regular English. You can switch back and forth instantly.
This is the phonetic Hebrew keyboard we’ve all been waiting for.
How to Use It:
The Easy Way (Recommended for most people):
Go to the download page that will be provided.
You will find a ready-to-use program. Just download this single file to your computer.
Double-click on the file you downloaded to run it. That’s it! No installation is needed. A small icon will appear in the bottom corner of your screen to show that it’s working.
This is the simplest option. You just download one file and run it.
The Other Way (If you want to see the code and instructions yourself):
This way has two steps. It’s for people who are comfortable with an extra step and want to see the “recipe” for how the program works.
First, you need to install a small, free helper program called AutoHotkey. This program is what reads the instruction file. It’s a one-time, safe installation.
Second, you download the Hebrew typing file itself (it’s a plain text file).
Once the helper program is installed, you just double-click the Hebrew file to start it.
To Start Typing in Hebrew:
Just turn your Caps Lock ON. When you want to go back to regular English, turn Caps Lock OFF. It’s that easy to switch back and forth.
More info: https://github.com/Sliicy/Hebrew-Phonetical-Keyboard
What if I want to type English with caps lock on?
Great question!
I assumed that most people use shift to do a single character. But the program can be closed while that’s done. I’m always looking for feedback. I was thinking of using scroll lock instead of caps lock but not all laptop keyboards have the scroll lock button easy to access.
How can i close the program when i want to use caps lock?
It’s technically a nice idea, but wouldn’t it make more sense for one to become accustomed to what is the “standard” Hebrew keyboard layout, so he will be able to type on any [Hebrew enabled] computer?
Yes but we live in the 21st century and there are so many shortcuts being made to make things easier and easier to do, so instead of learning the keys and having to use stickers, I find that this method makes it much faster for me to type. Also, this method gives you the option for Nekudos.
But I’m also considering making a separate version just for Hebrew keyboards with the intention of only adding Nekudos (by holding Shift)…
Thanks for your work! Auto hotkey happens to be a useful program for many tasks.
I haven’t done it in a while, but I remember you used to be able to put nekudos using the Hebrew keyboard by putting on caps lock and holding shift then the number keys are nekudos. Does that not work any more? Don’t want you to have to work to make another version for nothing.
It still does
Strange, doesn’t work for me, on Windows 11 w/ latest updates.
Ridiculous!
Firstly, a “solution” to a problem that doesn’t really exist (if you know the English keyboard learning the Hebrew is not difficult; just a little practice)
Secondly, no one created the Hebrew keyboard off the English keyboard! It was created independently based on the frequency of the usage of the letters. So, for example: it happens to be that T and א are the same key – if using a bilingual keyboard. No genius decided that T and א have something in common!
P.S. There are programs that teach you the keyboard if you need.
Either way, I just want to make it easier for anyone who wants to phonetically type based on sound. Also this gives you the option of doing Nekudos.
For anyone, Yungerleit, Bochurim who want to just type without having to learn a whole memorization system, this is for them!
And actually, ironically, the QWERTY keyboard design was originally made so that it would be harder for people to type quickly, because this was jamming typewriters.
Someone worked hard on something leto’eles harabim (or even if it was for himself), and you feel a need to bash him like a schoolyard bully? Read what you wrote again. Would you say that to his face when he excitedly introduces you to his project? If you don’t feel a need for it, don’t use it! If you want to tell the world you don’t need it, say “This wouldn’t be of such value to me because… but I can see why some would benefit”. And no feelings hurt! It’s Tammuz. We need to remember why we don’t have a bais hamikdash. Always good to reread a comment before hitting send.
Thank you very much
Gut Voch
would somebody please calm down.
@Somebody
It’s a great solution to something that has frustrated me no matter how many times I’ve practiced it. Don’t bash him/her. It’s a cool thing they’ve found or coded.
Hey no need for all the criticism, it’s a nice idea that will be helpful to some people, if you don’t like it don’t install it. That being said, if you are going to be typing a lot of Hebrew (chiddushei Torah for example) it probably pays to learn the correct keyboard layout.
PS if you only need to type very little Hebrew and you can’t remember what key is what, you can turn on the on-screen keyboard and the letters will change to Hebrew when you change the typing language.
Not sure why his way is easier. Either you’re familiar with the Hebrew keyboard, or you’re not.
I personally like the idea
For people like myself who not familiar with Hebrew keyboard to type something it takes for ever . With this Idea makes it fairly simple
Thank you
If anyone heard of a program called Davka Writer they have a similar version of this phonetic keyboard layout. I have gotten use to typing with that keyboard so when typing Loshon Kodesh I only use Davka Writer. Now I can also use word when typing Loshon Kodesh.
Thanks so Much!
Cool project!
I’m curious who did this,
It’s not for everyone, just the people it’s good for…
For example, if you are in yeshiva/kollel and are not exactly a touch typist, this may be great for you.
I’m releasing an Android app soon IY”H and needed to have Hebrew with Nekudos so I can make corrections for the Hebrew texts I’m using with it…
There is no reason to download an additional app that runs for this functionality. There is the ability tondownload additional keyboard layouts built into windows and there is a phonetic hebrew layout availability.
I dont usually type much hebrew, but when I do, I struggle with it. I just tried out this new keyboard and so far I’m blown away with how easy it is use and navigate
יישר כח גדול מאד
My pleasure!!
It was worth making it just for this!!!
If you have any suggestions or want to leave feedback, request changes, etc, just raise an issue on the GitHub page!
This is amazing!! Truly awesome idea! Thank you for making this!
An idea: Maybe there should be a pop-up window that lets you pause the script/exit the script (instead of requiring you to go to the taskbar tray)
Again, yasher koach!
Hi I downloaded and tried this today, and already loving it! Thank you for creating this and posting it for free l’toeles harabbim. You should be blessed!
Thank you for posting this here—otherwise, I would probably have never heard of it. Pay no attention to the naysayers; for a light user such as myself, the only other choice would have been to keep using unwieldy Hebrew keyboard websites. May you continue to always be involved in good works such as this.