The Problem: Generally in Loshon Hakodesh the accent is on the last letter of the word. In the word Mozenai the accent and Taam is under the Mem in the beginning of the word. Why doesn't the accent go under the last letter of Mozenai?

The Solution: This brings us to one of the rules of Dikduk called Nasog Achor. When a situation exists where the second word has the accent and Taam on the first syllable such as in this case the accent and Taam of Tzedek is on the first syllable. If there is no syllable between where the Taam should be in the first word and the accent on the second word the Taam of the first word is moved back a syllable. Normally Mozenai would have a Taam on the last letter. In this instance it can not be placed there since there would be no syllable in between the Taam of Tzedek and the Taam of Mozenai. Therefore the Taam of Mozenai is moved back to the beginning of the word. It is for this reason that the Taam and accent of Mozenai appear on the beginning of the word.

Generally words that are nouns and end with a Tnuah Ketanah are accented on the first letter and are good candidates for the Nasog Achor rule we have mentioned. This is providing that the last letter of the word is not a silent Heh. words such a Ohel or Tzohar are accented on the first letter of the word. Sadeh is not accented generally on the first letter since it ends with a silent Heh eventhough the last syllable is a Tnuah Ketanah.

Rabbi Mordecai Terebelo can be reached at MTEREBELO@juno.com

Rabbi Terebelo is Rav of Young Israel of Lawrenceville 5th-6th grade Rebbi at Bezalel Hebrew Day School of Lakewood NJ Member Kollel of Beth Medrash Govoha and Director of Partners in Torah Program of Lawrenceville NJ