Let my people know

Towards a revolution in the teaching of the Hebrew Bible

Bibliographic Data

ID4179795
AuthorsGhil’ad Zuckermann (0000-0002-7986-9774, The University of Adelaide, corresponding author), Ghil‘ad Zuckermann, Gitit Holzman (Levinsky College of Education)
Year2014
Volume2014
Issue226
Publication date2014-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of the Sociology of Language (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0165-2516 • E-ISSN: 1613-3668
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1515/ijsl-2013-0075
OpenAlexW2026028189
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited3

Acquiring knowledge of the Hebrew Bible and comprehension of the language are major aims of the Israeli education system. Yet for most students, it fails on both counts. This article proposes that these failures are closely connected: both are rooted in an erroneous linkage between Biblical Hebrew and the language spoken in modern Israel. Modern Hebrew – or more appropriately: “Israeli” – is a hybrid of Hebrew, Yiddish and other languages. Its grammar is distinct from that of Hebrew, and it has been the mother tongue of most Israeli-born Jews for about a hundred years. There is a fundamental difference between the acquisition and usage of mother tongues and those of any other language. Since Biblical Hebrew is a foreign language for modern Israelis, it ought to be taught as such. Israeli should be acknowledged as a legitimate, distinct tongue

Art · Biblical Hebrew · Biblical languages · Biblical studies · First language · Grammar · Hebrew · Hebrew Bible · Linguistics · Literature · Sociology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Jewish Identity and Society · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub