I read Hebrew, so you're an idiot! (Torah, Tanakh, translation)

[Jayhawker Soule]

It is an unique argument - uniquely stupid - and it should stop.

Today's Hebrew is a resurrected language. No one who speaks or reads it can claim knowledge of Biblical idiom and vernacular solely by virtue of their language skills. What the overwhelming majority of Jews do, and have done since the Diaspora, is read the Biblical text by translating it into their native language.

Does this ability give them special insight? Quite possibly yes. The Hebrew student would know, for example, that the word Adam is used both for humanity and the first human. They would appreciate the rich wordplay found throughout the text.

But what of those who do not speak Hebrew? Must they simply learn to shut up and keep their place?

While the Hebrew student benefits from his translation skills, his counterpart can and should avail himself of the skills of pre-eminent translators. There exists reams Torah commentary by those who have spent a lifetime studing Biblical Hebrew.

The Hebrew student may know that Genesis 1:21 refers not [just] to whales, but to the great sea monsters. But you can and will learn the same thing from the commentary. You'll also learn that the same term appears as the name of a dragon God in Canaanite myth. Perhaps you'll read:

Both the Hebrew word for these creatures (tannin) and the word "Leviathan" appear in Canaanite myths from the ancient city of Ugarit, as the name of a dragon god from earliest times who assisted Yam (god of the sea) in a battle against Baal (Canaanite god of fertility). Fragments of an Israelite version of this myth are present in several biblical poetic texts in which the forces of evil in this world are figuratively identified with "Tannin," the embodiment of the Chaos that God had vanquished in earliest times. By stating that they were part of God's creation, the narrative deprives them of divinity.

[Etz Hayim]

As this example shows, our understanding of Biblical Hebrew and the Torah/Tanakh is not static, but is constantly informed and refined by current ongoing studies of ancient Canaanite text as well as the Dead Sea manuscripts. The result is new insights, new translations, and new commentary.

All of this is available to anyone interested in pursuing it. The ability to read Hebrew pales in comparison. So, when if and when someone attempts to belittle you because you do not know your ayins from your zayins, go grab your Torah commentary from Alter or Artscroll or Etz Hayim or Friedman or JPS, and be assured that the people offering you those translations are far more skilled than your detractor.

And, in your spare time, you might wish to learn Hebrew.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker Soule

And, in your spare time, you might wish to learn Hebrew.

I was thinking of taking that up, but choose to stay an idiot instead.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker Soule

And, in your spare time, you might wish to learn Hebrew.

For my Religious Studies degree, I'll have to take 2 classes in either Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, Japanese or Chinese... the thought of which doesn't really thrill me after struggling through high school French. But maybe I'll take your advice....

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Maize

For my Religious Studies degree, I'll have to take 2 classes in either Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, Japanese or Chinese... the thought of which doesn't really thrill me after struggling through high school French. But maybe I'll take your advice....

Me too. I wanna take that and Greek.

[jewscout]

Jay you have inspired me to use the 6 credits i get for free at VCU with my new job and take a biblical hebrew class

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by jewscout

Jay you have inspired me to use the 6 credits i get for free at VCU with my new job and take a biblical hebrew class

Great. In the meantime, consider supplementing your library with the Alter chumash.

[Deut 13:1]

A thread dedicated to me, thanks Jay. How ironic you start with

It is an unique argument - uniquely stupid - and it should stop.

Then you end with...

And, in your spare time, you might wish to learn Hebrew.

Anyways, another reason to learn hebrew is because of the connection of words. I posted this in another thread.

tell me the definition and relationship between korban and it's root karov. Then tell me how you know the significance of this. I'll give you a hint, by knowing Hebrew. So, yes, you can begin to understand the basic meaning, but in no way can one really know torah without it. It's all in the hebrew...

Notice how what you said is very similar to what you said?

[angellous_evangellous]

Lovely title. Thanks for the thread, [the real] Deut.