Shalom

[varsity]

As you can see by my faith icon, I am not a Messianic Jew. However, I have been studying Hebrew with both Messianic and traditional Jews for a number of years now. In fact, this weekend marks the 8th anniversary of my first visit to a Messianic Jewish congregation. I have a number of Messianic Jewish friends as well as gentile friends who are active participants in a Messianic Jewish synagogue. My interest in coming to this forum is not to discuss theology because as I understand the rules, I will not be allowed to teach or debate. So my theological contributions will have to be elsewhere. My interest here is to find out how many here know Hebrew. I don't have a specific question at this time, but I want to identify as many potential resources as possible.

Editted to correct the anniversary mention above. On some reflection I realized that I first attended a Meesianic Jewish service on Thanksgiving weekend 1998. I began to attend regularly at Purim 1999.

[Keemah]

I am not fluent in Hebrew by any means, but I have studied it.

[Sephania]

We have a few here that study it at varying degrees.
There is many though, are you interested in liturgical Hebrew, or Modern Hebrew or my favorite Ancient Hebrew?

:)

[HadassahSukkot]

I'm learning mainly to read scripture as well as ancient Hebrew.. I do want to learn Modern Hebrew as well, but I have to be established with German first before I head that direction. ;)

I took a course at shul, did pretty well but It's mainly reading I'm able to do, and VERY slow at that, with helps (dictionary to cross check myself and concordance).

[HaNotsri]

I am not fluent in Hebrew, but I can read and write it (cursive just fine). I understand more of what I read then I can speak out. I've studied for five years

[varsity]

I am not fluent in Hebrew by any means, but I have studied it.

What books and/or other materials did you use?

[varsity]

We have a few here that study it at varying degrees.
There is many though, are you interested in liturgical Hebrew, or Modern Hebrew or my favorite Ancient Hebrew?

I am interested in Biblical Hebrew as preserved in the Masoretic text, prayer book Hebrew (what you call liturgical Hebrew, I think!), and modern Hebrew. I would like to study rabbinic Hebrew as soon as I can get a book that is currently undergoing a reprinting.

I don't know what Ancient Hebrew is. Is that like the Gezer calendar or the Siloam tunnel inscription?

[zhilan]

A bit off topic, but those of you who study it, how hard is it to learn?

[varsity]

Since this is a Messianic Jewish forum do the moderators or at least most of them know Hebrew? Would a knowledge of Hebrew be a requirement or at least a "plus" for being a moderator?

[varsity]

A bit off topic, but those of you who study it, how hard is it to learn?

Unless you have a talent for learning languages, it will take a consistent program of study. I try to spend at least a little time each day, and I probably spent at least ten hours a week doing my lessons.

[HadassahSukkot]

Since this is a Messianic Jewish forum do the moderators or at least most of them know Hebrew? Would a knowledge of Hebrew be a requirement or at least a "plus" for being a moderator?
I am learning. I spent last summer (not this summer) studying enough in addition to what I have been learning on my own from studying scripture with the bible helps.

Unfortunately though, I will be moving overseas and it is more important at this time to learn German so that I can function in society there, enough to stay safe, healthy and aware of my circumstances; so I'm having to put Hebrew on the backburner for now.

I want to take Hebrew once I move, so I will be seeking a tutor when I get there. I am praying that there will be someone there in the right place when I am settled enough to start. We will also be looking for a congregation that uses more hebrew than just the liturgy, so I can learn more.

I have downloaded the scriptures in Hebrew to listen to in addition to the English to improve my hearing & understanding, though I have as of yet not found a New Testament in hebrew. Anyone know of one - let me know please! (not audio cassette though, because I can't take my cassette player with me and they've kind of phased out over there)

I think it is a plus for study to know Hebrew, but I don't feel someone who has knowledge and moderation skills *must* Have Hebrew under their belt. G-d leads us in all things, and I think as He restores us, we will learn as the need arises.

[HadassahSukkot]

Unless you have a talent for learning languages, it will take a consistent program of study. I try to spend at least a little time each day, and I probably spent at least ten hours a week doing my lessons.
yes, this and having someone who speaks Hebrew naturally.

I'm one of those people who tends to learn languages more audibly than visually, and I can tell if the pronunciation is a little off (though I can't always put my finger on it) - so you can say i'm a little persnickity about that. I was when I was learning Spanish, I made sure I spoke the dialect as flawlessly as possible (almost to the point of obsessing trying to pronounce mentally before I did verbally), and I am doing the same with German.

I don't want to stick out. I want to blend in. Safety in numbers & all that... ;)

[Sephania]

I am interested in Biblical Hebrew as preserved in the Masoretic text, prayer book Hebrew (what you call liturgical Hebrew, I think!), and modern Hebrew. I would like to study rabbinic Hebrew as soon as I can get a book that is currently undergoing a reprinting.

I don't know what Ancient Hebrew is. Is that like the Gezer calendar or the Siloam tunnel inscription?

Yes, Siloam tunnel inscription era ( 700 bc) and before, mainly I am interested in the pre-Babylonian exile alef-bet, as I believe it lost much of it's meaning after returning from the cradle of Heathenism. :)

[varsity]

Yes, Siloam tunnel inscription era ( 700 bc) and before, mainly I am interested in the pre-Babylonian exile alef-bet, as I believe it lost much of it's meaning after returning from the cradle of Heathenism. :)

I'm guessing that when you say alef-bet you mean script. From what I have read the pre-exilic script used by the Hebrews was essentially the same as that used by other Semitic tribes in Canaan. Likewise the earliest Hebrew is usually thought of (by scholars) as another Canaanite dialect that differed no more from other Canaanite dialects than the Hebrew of the Northern Kingdom differed from the Hebrew of Jerusalem.

[HadassahSukkot]

Generally the Aleph-bet can be called "[insert which kind] script" or "[insert which kind] Aleph-Bet" - because it is a form of the aleph bet...

here are a few examples I have on hand of differing scripts:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/antsy/alephbet/cursive.gif
-Cursive

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/antsy/alephbet/HebrewAlphabet-withFinals.jpg
-Modern Hebrew, also known as block script

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/antsy/alephbet/HebrewLate.jpg
-late hebrew

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/antsy/alephbet/HebrewMiddle.jpg
-Middle Hebrew

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/antsy/alephbet/HebrewPaleo.jpg
-Paleo-Hebrew, also known as Phoenecian

[HadassahSukkot]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/antsy/alephbet/proto-Hebrew-aramaic.gif
-Proto Aramaic script

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/antsy/alephbet/rashi.gif
-Rashi script, so named because this script was used in the Talmud for Rashi's commentary


There are more, but these are the ones I have saved thus far.

[Sephania]

Yes, they are indeed many, and it takes awhile to learn them all.

What was the original question again?
http://www3.christianforums.com/images/customavatars/avatar22550_4.gif (http://zayit.christianforums.com/)<--------------------I like this earlier script, that is why I put it on this pin I made.

[HadassahSukkot]

You made that?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/antsinmypants/Emoticons/signs/19.gif

It's beautiful and I've been meaning to ask where you got it...!

[varsity]

Generally the Aleph-bet can be called "[insert which kind] script" or "[insert which kind] Aleph-Bet" - because it is a form of the aleph bet...

Or to use computer jargon borrowed from the printing industry we can call them fonts. Whatever you call them the unpointed Tanakh written in any of them is still the same, and a printed Tanakh with points uses block. Unless one wants to read inscriptional or other ancient materials from the original sources (provided that you can get a photocopy) there is no need to know other than the block and cursive scripts.

Now back to the original question, which I now realize was ambiguous. Perhaps it is better to inquire what books have been completed or partially completed, or how much vocabulary is known (100 words, 1000 words, 5000 words, etc.) or how much grammar, oarticularly verbs, has been mastered.

[Sephania]

Gosh, I feel like I came to school unprepared and got a pop quiz.

Best I can answer is I have studied in synogogue liturgical/modern, and can read it fairly well. My pronounciation is good, I have one of those mynah bird ears ;) and have studied from a few online places and have a few books and cd's. Two from a Israeli Hebrew Professor. I listen to th CD's for pronounciation about 2-3 times a week. I could read and speak it well enough for the equvilent of a adult bat Mitzvah.

I hope that qualifies me enough.

Oh, and that's my final answer. :)

[P_G]

I can read and speak Hebrew not well :)

I require all the vowel markings to be there because I sound out most words.
Oh and my spoken Hebrew I have a very thick Pennsylvia Dutch accent making me virtually unintellageble to most native speakers unless it is something one uses on a pretty regular basis.

Having said that the ministry I belong to does offer online Hebrew classes both beginer and intermediate on InSpeak on Sunday nights. Our Hebrew teacher has been teaching Hebrew for years and years (mostly to kids) and she is one of the nicest sisters I know anyplace!

If you are interested let me know - classes are free

PG