cholem

Cholem, also known as *cholem yud* (חולם יוד), is a Hebrew diacritic mark used in the Hebrew alphabet to indicate a specific vowel sound. It consists of two dots placed above a letter, typically the *he* (ה) or *vav* (ו), and is part of the Tiberian system of vocalization. The mark represents a long *o* sound, similar to the English "o" in "go" or "home," but with a more open, central articulation.

In modern Hebrew, cholem is primarily used in written Hebrew to guide pronunciation, particularly in religious texts, poetry, and classical literature. It distinguishes between homophones, such as the difference between *he* (ה) with cholem (הו) and *he* without it (ה), which can alter word meanings. For example, the word *shalom* (שלום) with a cholem on the *vav* (שלום) means "peace," while *shalóm* (שלם) without it refers to "complete" or "whole."

The cholem mark is one of several vowel signs in the Tiberian notation system, which was developed to standardize Hebrew pronunciation after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. While modern Hebrew often omits these diacritics in everyday writing, they remain essential in liturgical texts, such as those used in Jewish prayer and study.

In typography, the cholem is represented as two dots (••) above the affected letter. It is distinct from other Hebrew vowel marks, such as *patach* (א), *kamatz* (א), and *shva* (א), each representing different vowel sounds. The use of cholem reflects the broader tradition of preserving Hebrew pronunciation through written notation, ensuring clarity in sacred and literary texts.