Hebrew Question

[Yehoshua]

There is a strong possibility I will be taking Hebrew (both biblical/modern) at the University this fall but right now I am working through "The First Hebrew Primer." Here's my question for anyone with a strong knowledge of Hebrew: When memorizing words should I be memorizing all the vowel points (considering I will be learning Modern Hebrew also which can read without the points). Thank you so much!

 

[G4m]

There is a strong possibility I will be taking Hebrew (both biblical/modern) at the University this fall but right now I am working through "The First Hebrew Primer." Here's my question for anyone with a strong knowledge of Hebrew: When memorizing words should I be memorizing all the vowel points (considering I will be learning Modern Hebrew also which can read without the points). Thank you so much!

Aren't you memorising the words by sound? If so, you are already memorising the vowel points!?

 

[ChavaK]

I would use the vowel points to learn how to pronounce the word, and then learn to recognize the words without them. The text book our local college uses for modern Hebrew does not use them, and neither does modern Hebrew. It seems a bit daunting at first, but you will be surprised how quickely you will learn to recongize the words.

good luck!

Chava

 

[Yehoshua]

I would use the vowel points to learn how to pronounce the word, and then learn to recognize the words without them. The text book our local college uses for modern Hebrew does not use them, and neither does modern Hebrew. It seems a bit daunting at first, but you will be surprised how quickely you will learn to recongize the words.

good luck!

Chava

I have the possiblity of concentrating on modern or classical hebrew. Question: If I do modern doesn't that also encompass classical (the ability to understand) and also be able to use the modern spoken language. Number one is that I undestand the Bible and also Rabbincal writings. Thanks for the help everyone. On a side note I may also major in Jewish Studies. Right now I'm an english major but might switch over. I'm scared though that the degree won't be as "valuable" or "usuable" as an English degree. I guess I have to step out in faith and I will find my path. Thanks again.

 

[ChavaK]

I have the possiblity of concentrating on modern or classical hebrew. Question: If I do modern doesn't that also encompass classical (the ability to understand) and also be able to use the modern spoken language. Number one is that I undestand the Bible and also Rabbincal writings. Thanks for the help everyone. On a side note I may also major in Jewish Studies. Right now I'm an english major but might switch over. I'm scared though that the degree won't be as "valuable" or "usuable" as an English degree. I guess I have to step out in faith and I will find my path. Thanks again.

Hi, what would you plan to do with a degree in Jewish studies? Just curoius!
If by classical Hebrew you mean Biblical Hebrew, there are differences between it and Modern Hebrew but I am not scholar enough to tell you what. I have an Israeli friend who says she sometimes has trouble reading the Tanach because of differences in structure, meaning of words, and nuances in translation. But I would think if you have a good command of modern Hebrew it would serve you well in reading rabbinical or Torah sources.
Of course if you want to study Talmud, you are going to have to learn Rashi script too! And is that difficult!
kol tuv,
Chava

 

[Yehoshua]

I think the only thing I would be able to use it for would be in graduate school (ancient religion, etc). My goal is to be a professor of some sort.

 

[ChavaK]

I think the only thing I would be able to use it for would be in graduate school (ancient religion, etc). My goal is to be a professor of some sort.

A professor of what? Or are you still trying to narrow that down....I take it you are attracted to academia
and are looking for the right "fit"?

 

[Yehoshua]

I am a student at the University of Minnesota and have been going for several years. I really want to pick an area of interest and areas of Jewish history, theology, are of great interest to me personally. I feel I am being called to something greater other than just finding some random job with no real purpose (note: work is work and this isn't meant to demean anyone who works hard at whatever jobs they have. I respect the roofer as much, or even more than many people many higher paying fields). At the same time though I don't need a degree to go out and do good in the world, so right now I am kind of stuck upon which path I desire to endeavor.

 

[shmuel]

Rabinic or Mishnaic Hebrew as well as medieval Hebrew are distinct variants of the language. Modern Israeli Hebrew is based on Biblical Hebrew but with some simplification in grammar. Modern Hebrew does not use the consecutive verb forms that are typical of Biblical narratives. Modern Hebrew has a tense system created from the Biblical verb forms by taking the perfect as past tense, the participle as a present tense, and the imperfect as a future tense. Of course, modern Hebrew has a much larger vocabulary. The vocabulary preserved in the Hebrew Bible is only about a third of the vocabulary needed for a living language.

 

[ContraMundum]

From my perspective, memorizing the vowel points is really easy, especially compared to the grammatical hoops you have to jump through in Biblical Greek.

Personally, I think you should learn everything you can- even the pronounciation, which in many courses is similar to modern Hebrew (which is based roughly on the Sephardic pronounciation in many cases).

Enjoy and good luck. Hebrew is a lot of fun.