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Donna <>< asked in Society & CultureLanguages · 1 decade ago

Is it easy to learn Hebrew?

And where can I get a simple lesson plan for learning the language or at least being able to read it? Also, where would I get a Hebrew Bible? I forgot what it is called :(

Update:

Isn't the name of the Hebrew Bible the TORAH?

14 Answers

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  • Gary D
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    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=)

    .

    Source(s): I'm Jewish and teach Hebrew classes for my synagogue.
  • leo
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Easy Hebrew

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    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.

  • celena
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Want To Learn Hebrew Fast?

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  • 5 years ago

    For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awBD8

    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

  • 1 decade ago

    I started learning Hebrew when I was 2 years old, so I may not be the best one to explain how it is, but seeing other people start learning in their teens, I can say that it may seem hard at first, but with a bit of practice and commitment to learning, you'll definitely be able to read and write it adequately within a month, maybe a bit longer. Understanding and speaking it, well, you'd have to really work at understanding the grammar and the "rules".

    You can easily purchase a Chumash (it's a Torah, but printed in a book, not written on a scroll) online.

    Hope this helps :)

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    This Site Might Help You.

    RE:

    Is it easy to learn Hebrew?

    And where can I get a simple lesson plan for learning the language or at least being able to read it? Also, where would I get a Hebrew Bible? I forgot what it is called :(

    Source(s): easy learn hebrew: https://tr.im/eNyaz
  • 1 decade ago

    I do not know whether it is easy to study Hebrews but is is one of the oldest language.

    You can try them out from Transparent Language, link given below:

    http://www.byki.com/fls/FLS.html

    They will let you download free software to read and hear the language, in audio form. I used them before when I studied Indonesian Language, it is very good. You can study from your home using the software and for free.

    Regarding the Hebrew Bible, it should be available at the Bible Society of Singapore. They should be located temporarily at St Andrew's Junior College, near Toa Payoh. Call 100 and get their telephone number, Then call Bible Society to check if they have Hebrews Bible.

    If they do not have, check with Tecman, it is a christian book shop located at the 4th storey of Bras Basah Complex, next to the National Library.

    I also enclose the link, this shop has many Bibles of many languages , but best to pick them up , not to order through the internet.

    http://www.tecman.com.sg/Home.html

  • 1 decade ago

    I think you need to go to a Temple to see a Rabi they may have classes and if you want to learn to read the bible they may give you one.It's only easy as you want it to be , some people take a long time to learn any language.

    Source(s): I am Half Jewish , when I got married to a jewish guy many yrs ago, I had to go to a Rabi for classes, But Im sure they will educate you , if you are that sure that you want to learn it.
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Wow... I had 5 years of Hebrew school and just learning the alphabet was hard.

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