Is it easy to learn Hebrew?

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No, it's not easy to learn Hebrew. You'll need to learn an entirely new alphabet (In Hebrew it's referred to as the "aleph-bet"), some vocalizations that are not made with Western languages, and how to read the new alphabet with and without vowels. If you want to learn modern Hebrew, there's also a second aleph-bet to learn, which is a completely different-looking, handwritten aleph-bet.

One of the easiest methods I have found for self-education in the language are two books: 1) "Hebrew in 10 Minutes a Day" gives you common words to help you build up your modern, conversational vocabulary; and 2) "Hebrew in Three Months" helps you to learn the grammar and the aleph bet, which is helpful in both modern and biblical Hebrew.

Bear in mind that the Hebrew you'll learn in the above two are mostly conversational and modern Hebrew. There is a difference between modern and ancient (biblical) Hebrew. Some words are the same, but their usage or meanings are different. For example, the verb "to know someone" is different. If I read in the Torah, "I knew Rebekah", it's exactly what you think it means. I knew her. However, if I used the same verb as the one from the Torah in modern conversational Hebrew, I would get slapped in the face because the modern verb means "I knew Rebekah" in a sexual-sense. So you can see that there are some notable differences.

Anyway, you also wanted to know where to find a Hebrew Bible (called the Torah). A good version of this is called, "Etz Hayim" (means, "Tree of Life", in English). It contains both the English and the Hebrew, side-by-side for all parashiot as well as the haftorah for each parsha. It also provides commentary to help understand the meanings of some passages. You can find this book online through the Jewish Publication Society (JPS): http://www.jewishpub.org/

Here's a link directly to the Etz Hayim book: http://www.jewishpub.org/product.php?id=59

If you want to go further in learning, you could try using a "Tanakh", which contains all 5 books of Moses (known as the Torah), as well as the Prophets and the writings (like the Psalms, the book of Esther and Ruth, etc.)

Good luck! d=)


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It depends. I would say that, if you are dedicated and immerse yourself into the language and the culture attached to it, then you will learn it pretty fast. If not, then no. And regardless, you will have a much more difficult time compared to when you were younger, if you are over the age of 18. It's best to learn a language at a young age. There aren't different dialects to Hebrew; however, there are different pronunciations. Throughout the world, since Hebrew is the language of the Torah, certain groups have learned to pronounce things differently. Arabic has faced a similar phenomenon, where sounds and pronunciations from Morocco are incredibly different that those in Iraq. There is Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Hebrew, mostly; however, pronunciation of the Modern Hebrew language in Israel matches the Sephardi pronunciation. Accordingly, many synagogues not identifying too much with ethnicity or origin have modified their pronunciation to Sephardi Hebrew. I'm technically Ashkenazi Jewish; however, those who pray in Ashkenazi Hebrew sound so foreign to me, since I've learned a more Sephardi sounding way (but, I'm also part Sephardi, so it works). In terms of Israel, there is only one. Coming back full circle, it would be easy for you to learn it, since I'm assuming you know Arabic. Forgive me if I'm making an identity mistake, but aren't you from Lebanon, or somewhere else in the Arab world? Hebrew's closest relative is Arabic, and vice versa; though, neither seem to want to admit it. It is apparent in the pronouns (Ana = Ani; Anta = Ata, Anti = At, Hu=Huwa (I think) Hiwa = Hi, ....). Also, similar words like Shalom and Saalam, and Shalom Alekhem and Saalam Alekum. Though, if I'm right, I am curious on why you want to learn....Show more

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An Arab knows it is Hebrew at once ,5 seconds is OK it is easy to a person knows Arabic influentially to learn Hebrew ,specially the knowledge of grammar , it is then concerned with the teacher , all Hebrew teachers I met were excellent , but some times you may meet a teacher who is his pronunciation is not perfect ,then you may have some difficulty,the letter (3) you might hear it as ayn ,the same thing with (7) so it could be h ,saying for instance Hasan instead of 7asan or the 5asan , its also some Palestinians even speak it up they for instance say Amal instead of 3amal . you know its the same as when you listen to some TV interview ,you may see the person in the interview says " Ana ru7t England , weshtarait few things , wesme3t music . the Jews from Yemen speak it prompt , so good luck , notice in grammar both Arabic and Hebrew has the similar rules which is very hard to other Hebrew learners to swallow...Show more