The Letter Tav (ת)
We have now reached the 22nd and final letter of the Aleph-Bet – the letter ת (Tav). Unlike the other letters there is not a clear consensus of how to write the name of this letter. It can be written תָיו or without the yod in the middle תָו and some even mistakenly write and pronounce it תָף (taf) (with a softer ending sound).
This letter symbolizes doing things with a goal in mind. We can compare it to a mountain climber, who reaches the peak and accomplishes his goal.
It is interesting to note that this letter which also represents תְשׁוּבָה (teshuva) answer appears after the letter ש (shin) which expresses שְׁאֵלָה (she’ela) question. This is simple to explain: the answer always comes after the question. However, this is not just referring to a simple answer to a question, but to a spiritual answer. The moment that a person reaches such an answer, he feels a kind of wholeness and internal tranquility, just like a person who climbed a mountain and finally reaches the peak.
After the Children of Israel entered the Land of Israel, they stood between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal and heard the blessings and curses from the priests. Every blessing begins with the letter א and ends with the letter ת. For example:
“אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ… וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם קוֹמְמִיּוּת” (im bechukotai telechu… va’olech etchem komemiyut) If ye walk in My statutes… and {I} made you go upright (Leviticus 26:3-13)
This teaches the completeness of the blessings. On the other hand, in the curses it is not this way, which teaches that the curses don’t come from any form of completeness.
People who have the letter ת (tav) in their name have a great level of sensitivity and a desire to achieve quiet and tranquility. Their moods are likely to change quickly and they have an inclination to being home-bodies, having stability, and being modest. They have a fear of and are suspicious of deception. It is difficult for them to forgive and forget the past. On the other hand, they have and ability to do spiritual work and release their frustrations and anger.
They act with gentleness or anger. They are good at making money, are givers, have healthy ambition, are capable of managing things, are courageous, deep, and have a joy of life.