Are Hebrew and Arab writing related?

Answer 1

Yes, they are distantly related.

Although most of the letters look completely different in each Alphabet, they all have names that are very similar, and similar sounds.

In fact, Every Hebrew letter has an equivalent letter in Arabic except for the letter Samekh (ס).

Answer 2

Yes, they are distantly related. Although most of the letters look completely different in each Alphabet, they all have names that are very similar, and similar sounds.
In fact, Every Hebrew letter has an equivalent letter in Arabic except for the letter Samekh (ס):

Here is a historical comparison (not a phonetic comparison):

1. alef א = alif ا
   
2. bet ב = beh ب
3. gimel ג = jim ج
4. dalet ד = dal د (also dhal ذ)
5. heh ה = heh ه
6. vav ו = waw و
7. zayin ז = zay ز
8. chet ח = Hah ح (also khah خ)
9. tet ט = Tah ط (also, Thah ظ)
10. yod י = ya ي
11. kaf כ = kaf ك
12. lamed ל = lam ل
13. mem מ = mim م
14. nun נ = nun ن
15. samech ס = no equivalent. Arabic uses sin س instead. see # 21.
16. ayin ע = ayn ع (also ghayn غ)
17. pe פ = fe ف
18. tsadi צ = Saad ص (also Daad ض)
19. qof ק = qaf ق
20. resh ר = ray ر
21. shin/sin ש = shin/sin ش/س
22. tav ת = teh ت (also theh ث)