Hebrew: Classical or Modern?

[D+C]

If one embarks on learning Hebrew, is it necessary from the beginning to study either classical or modern? I want to study Hebrew not only to understand the scriptures better but also to better understand the Jewish experience and culture as well as to access 4000 years of history. Many of these aspects are attributed to the very general study of "Hebrew", with no delineation between classical and modern. See the following for examples:
Why Do People Learn Hebrew? | eTeacher Hebrew Official Blog
Why Study Hebrew?

Many thanks!

 

[yonah_mishael]

In my humble opinion, it is best to learn biblical Hebrew first and get a good grasp on the grammar and vocabulary - and then to go into modern Hebrew with a good basis.

 

[D+C]

Many thanks for your help!

 

[WindHund]

If one embarks on learning Hebrew, is it necessary from the beginning to study either classical or modern?

What book will you be using? I studied Hebrew for a couple of years. Recently I saw my teacher, Danny Ben Gigi doing a TV discussion with Benny Hinn in Jerusalem.

 

[bluemarkus]

theres only one hebrew. hebrew never changes. start with whatever fits best for you or where your opportunity is. you´ll soon be talking modern hebrew and slang while also reading tanakh in its original tounge. both is a pleasure and very gratifying. but requires you work patiently, set goals and follow through.

 

[yonah_mishael]

theres only one hebrew. hebrew never changes. start with whatever fits best for you or where your opportunity is. you´ll soon be talking modern hebrew and slang while also reading tanakh in its original tounge. both is a pleasure and very gratifying. but requires you work patiently, set goals and follow through.

If this were true, then I wouldn't sound so strange to Israelis when I speak biblical Hebrew! Try using the word פן ("lest") for explaining why you do something. Or, use the word תחת to mean במקום. They'll look at you funny. The languages are indeed similar in structure (minus vav-consecutives and plus tense in the verb system) and lexis, but they are not identical. We should not sweep over their differences, but rather teach them and use them as we teach even biblical Hebrew.

That said, I don't think it's really possible to internalize biblical Hebrew without learning modern.