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Rabbi Gordon's Monthly Message

Hebrew!עברית   

The story of the Hebrew language is a remarkable one, a story about which every Jew has reason to feel special pride.   In contrast to the fairly recognizable English from Shakespeare slightly more than 400 years ago, ancient Hebrew dates back to well over 3,000 years.  (Do the math!)  And Hebrew’s modern revival is no less remarkable.  Modern Hebrew was transformed from virtually a language of study only to one now spoken / understood by approximately 7,000,000 people, all in merely five to six generations over about 120 years.  Modern Hebrew and ancient Hebrew are more or less as similar and different as Shakespeare is to modern English, as British English is to American English.   

Moreover, ancient Hebrew was highly developed by a highly literate society.  Not only are narratives in the TaNaCH (Hebrew Scriptures) composed on a reasonably high level and periodically interspersed with fancier words, the vocabulary, meter, syntax, and structure of the prophets and the psalms are even more elevated, as poetry usually is.   

As long as Jews lived in the ancient holy land, their culture and their language dominated.  Foreign influences, especially Hellenism, changed the culture and language somewhat.  But Jews who lived outside the holy land, forced there by conquerors or economic difficulties and opportunities elsewhere, were radically affected by the dominant culture and language of the lands they lived in.  Over time, Jews became an increasing minority presence in the land, and as the overwhelming number of Jews resided in various lands outside of Israel, they no longer spoke Hebrew. 

Yet Hebrew still lived.  The regular Shabbat, holyday, and weekday public reading of the Torah, with a meticulous correcting of errors, the Hebrew of prayers, and the Hebrew of Torah, Mishnah, and Midrashic study was passed down generation after generation – for nearly 2,000 years of exile.  Then one man dedicated himself to reviving the Hebrew language of the Jewish people, just as others had their cultural languages.   

Eliezer ben Yehudah (1858-1922) committed himself to a modern Hebrew revival through his study, his new linguistic creations, and by speaking Hebrew to his child.  His devotion, amidst the death of his first wife and several children by disease, deserves continuous recognition.  Today, 5.5 million Jews in Israel, and another million non-Jews in Israel, and perhaps a million Jews with day school education outside of Israel (especially Spanish-speaking Jews of Mexico and South America) are able to understand Hebrew to various degrees. 

Nevertheless, American Jews are not Hebrew-literate.  Even the overwhelming majority of those who attend services regularly and who can read Hebrew do not understand the words when the Torah is read or when they daven in prayer.  Either they lack the desire to learn, are afraid they will not be able to, or have not found the opportunity.  I am offering you the opportunity and urging you not to be afraid, with the hope that I can tap into some of your secret desire. 

I am offering you the opportunity to share this place in Jewish history.  Here is what I can promise:  If you invest in a once-a-week class, and set aside another hour to review (or even better two half hours) each week, after one year you will have learned a substantial part of the basics of Hebrew.  You will likely have enough knowledge to navigate some of the siddur, and after two years, far more of the siddur, and the Torah, and will be able to connect to Hebrew when you go to Israel.  I do not mean that you will be fluent; that takes a bit more time.  But the learning will make a big difference in these areas. 

Notes: 

Hebrew reading ability required.*

            No one may enter after the 1^st class, unless they catch-up to the level of the class.

            Due to the nature of continuous progression, missing classes matters. 

            Book(s):  $50 (these books will be useful for three years!)

            Class fee:  to be determined / 15 sessions (1^st session Fall-Winter 2010;                          2^nd session Winter-Spring 2011)

            If you are unable to afford the class, speak to me; we will not turn you away for financial reasons.

Several people have expressed serious interest.  Now the task is to find the best time for a class.   If you are interested, please send in the form that follows:

Name __________________________________________  Phone # ______________________ 

Email address __________________________________________________ 

Please check all times that you are available, as the greater the flexibility, the larger the class. 

_____ Tuesday morning 9:00 – 10:15 / (10:30) 

_____ Wednesday morning 9:00 – 10:15 / (10:30) 

_____ Thursday morning 9:00 – 10:15 / (10:30) 

_____ Monday evening 7:00 – 8:15 / (8:30) 

_____ Wednesday evening 7:00 – 8:15 / (8:30) 

*I am willing to offer my Hebrew Reading Class in June-July.  5 weeks, twice a week.  $50.

If you are unable to afford the class, speak to me; we will not turn you away for financial reasons. 

Monday June 7 & Wednesday June 9 or Thursday June 10

Monday June 14 & Wednesday June 16 or Thursday June 17

Monday June 21 & Wednesday June 23 or Thursday June 24

Monday June 28 & Wednesday June 30 or Thursday July 1

Monday July 5 & Wednesday July 7 or Thursday July 8 

Please call the office (314-576-5230) to register for the Hebrew Reading Class. 

קיץ נעים  means have a pleasant summer – but if you take this course, you won’t need the translation!

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