What it does
Geresh is a light disjunctive, marking the end of a small phrase unit. It pairs naturally with Kadma, which serves as its conjunctive lead-in. The combo Kadma V'Azla (Kadma followed by Geresh, sometimes called Azla) is one of the named phrase patterns of the trope system.
Where it appears
Common throughout the Torah. Look for Geresh on words that end a small clause inside a larger phrase. The Kadma immediately before it is its servant.
How to remember it
Geresh means "expelled" or "driven out." The mark is a single diagonal slash above the letter, like a small flick. Think of Geresh as kicking the phrase forward into its next beat.
Example from the Torah
Bereishis 12:1
In Bereishis 12:1, several Geresh marks help structure the long command to Avraham, breaking each clause cleanly.
Hear the melody
A synthesized rendering of the melodic shape, not a vocal recording. For a baal koreh's voice on a full aliyah, PocketTorah is a great free resource.
Hand signal (simanim)
Often confused with
Visually almost identical to Kadma. Geresh is a disjunctive (pauses); Kadma is a conjunctive (leads forward). Position helps: Geresh tends to end its word, Kadma can sit anywhere.
Gershayim is the doubled version of Geresh, same idea, slightly stronger pause, two slashes instead of one.