All Questions
81 questions
3
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Question about Binyanim – Hebrew linguistics [closed]
I've looked into lots of linguistic works and found discussion of the 7 Binyanim (verb patterns) in much of modern Hebrew linguistics and even going back before. Obviously verbs in Tanakh (and all of ...
2
votes
1
answer
147
views
Torah term for putting others first?
Pretty self-explanatory. Is there any Torah term or phrase that refers to the ethical act of "Putting Others First"?
- 859
1
vote
1
answer
190
views
Was the world really created by the Hebrew letters?
There’s a somewhat-famous Kabbalistic concept, recorded first in the Sefer Yetzirah, that Hashem created the world by using the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Assuming Hebrew indeed evolved from an ...
- 1,904
3
votes
2
answers
149
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How would rabbinic law be derived from a Sefer Torah written in another language?
Much of rabbinic law derives from the hebrew Torah's unique spelling (eg plene vs deficient) and wording (eg "את" to include) etc.
Rashbam writes that he will explain the Torah literally as ...
- 4,020
1
vote
1
answer
216
views
What’s up with the translations of Genesis 49:22?
In Genesis 49 when Jacob blesses his sons the blessing he gives to Joseph is usually rendered (in most translations) as something similar to:
“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, ...
- 75
1
vote
0
answers
129
views
If we know for certain that certain types of Hebrew pronunciation aren't correct to the biblical standard, why still use them? [duplicate]
This question may be controversial but it isn't meant as an insult to any specific community. In fact, it kind of targets everyone if the hypothesis is correct. It speaks to the reality of the exile ...
- 1,413
4
votes
1
answer
151
views
Would Jews speak Lashon Hakodesh by default?
If my memory serves me correctly, I read in the sefer Daas Torah some while back that if one doesn't teach a [Jewish?] child a language it will start talking Lashon Hakodesh on its own accord. Is ...
- 2,328
2
votes
0
answers
72
views
Connection between Loshon Hakodesh and other languages
I remember finding seforim saying
All languages are really just a distortion of Loshon HaKodesh
It's as if Loshon Hakodesh is in gallus (exile) within those other languages. When we identify how a ...
- 195
1
vote
1
answer
270
views
Is the Yemenite pronunciation of Hebrew closest to correct? [duplicate]
Is the Yemenite pronunciation of Hebrew closest to correct? If so, would that mean that we should use the Yemenite pronunciation when davening or leining the Torah?
- 621
0
votes
1
answer
104
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Are there examples of "language transformations" in Hebrew grammar that significantly alter the apparent meaning of a text?
In a discussion on this site, a knowledgeable friend pointed out in comments how there are "many, many language transformations broadly associated with Hebrew grammar", such as "...
- 143
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
Is every word of a translation as important as every word of the original Hebrew?
This question came up during a discussion about Hebrew vs translated texts and I'm curious what the answer or consensus is.
We're taught that every single word and letter is specific and used for a ...
- 1,413
4
votes
1
answer
220
views
What do the words בֶּאֱמֶת אָמְרוּ teach us in the Mishna?
Mishna Shabbat 1:3:
לֹא יֵצֵא הַחַיָּט בְּמַחְטוֹ סָמוּךְ לַחֲשֵׁכָה, שֶׁמָּא יִשְׁכַּח וְיֵצֵא. וְלֹא הַלַּבְלָר בְּקֻלְמוֹסוֹ. וְלֹא יְפַלֶּה אֶת כֵּלָיו, וְלֹא יִקְרָא לְאוֹר הַנֵּר. בֶּאֱמֶת ...
user17319
2
votes
0
answers
60
views
What is the difference between "גזרה רעה" "גזרה קשה"
Is there a difference between the concept of the Hebrew words of "גזרה רעה" an evil decree versus a "גזרה קשה" a difficult decree? See Machzor Rosh HaShana on the annulment of ...
- 733
6
votes
2
answers
208
views
English prayers, mix in hebrew?
Some prayers can be said in any language, and many people use the English translation in siddurim to daven directly, the question is is one allowed to mix in both hebrew and English when first ...
2
votes
3
answers
297
views
Why Hebrew wasn't the spoken language in the Gemara times?
Why was Hebrew NOT the spoken language of the Jewish people after the Mishna? And why was a scholarly text, which was created for individuals who also obviously understood Hebrew, written in Aramaic?
...
- 319
3
votes
2
answers
430
views
How many taamim/cantillation/trop marks are there?
I know there are different nusachot, but is there a maximal amount?
- 1,314
0
votes
1
answer
285
views
Sacred vs Holy: why the same word in Hebrew?
English and other languages (e.g., Russian & Greek) distinguish between "holy" ("святой", "άγιος") and "sacred" ("священный", "ιερός").
...
- 1,361
1
vote
0
answers
99
views
What is this text over the door?
I'm adding this post for Albert, who posted this in Biblical Hermeneutics. His question:
Hi i got some people rent a house, and they put this signs which i think is hebrew on the top of the entry ...
- 342
0
votes
1
answer
701
views
Does the Hebrew word "Torah" originate from BOTH the words “Hora’ah” (meaning, Teaching) and “Orah” (meaning, Light)?
Does the Hebrew word "Torah" originate from BOTH the words “Hora’ah” (meaning, Teaching) and “Orah” (meaning, Light)?
The accurate meaning of “Torah” is twofold. Firstly it comes from the
...
- 41
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Looking for the Lost tribes : Are Bantus speaking Ancient Hebrew? [closed]
On YouTube many videos link the Bantu languages to the ancient Hebrew. Would you know if any scholar ever studied the link between both languages do understand how they influence each other? Could the ...
- 11
4
votes
0
answers
126
views
Foreign language words similar to Hebrew words [closed]
I started compiling a list about a year ago of all of the times I noticed that an English word was very linguistically similar to a Hebrew word phonetically and semantically (i.e. in meaning). Many ...
- 1,155
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
Tzitzit an appearance in visible form
Rabbi Hirsch seems to have written something like: “tzitzit; indeed it is called tzitzit from the Hebrew root meaning “to appear in physical form.”
Which root is that? And what does this mean in ...
- 7,596
2
votes
0
answers
52
views
Where can I find how many roots the author needs to compose for each book of the Tenach
For example: I am reading now the book of Joshua in Hebrew. It looks to me quite simple language. The author uses often the same terms. Poetry and wisdom-litterature is much more complex. My ...
1
vote
0
answers
1k
views
What is the true definition of the word Kadosh in Hebrew? [duplicate]
This question may be simple but I was curious if we have a true definition for it.
People talk about living in a (Kadosh) or holy way. The word gets used a lot but I don't necessarily think I've ...
user15672
0
votes
1
answer
245
views
Origin of the word dati (דָּתִי) [duplicate]
Is there any Talmudic sources that claim the origin of the Hebrew word “dati” (דָּתִי) comes from the Avestan word daena?
5
votes
2
answers
409
views
Common language and the language of the Scripture used in 1st century BCE?
I read from the internet where most articles say:
A. The common language used by the Jews around 1st century BCE to (at least) the beginning of 1st century CE was Greek and the Scripture they use is ...
- 379
-2
votes
1
answer
281
views
Is there no word for objects/'things' in Hebrew aside from referring to things as 'words'?
I read the following passage and wonder about the first couple of sentences, which are pretty practical and I wonder if they're 'empirically' true. In common Hebrew language, how are 'things' referred ...
- 125
4
votes
4
answers
3k
views
best Hebrew-English Tanakh in printed form, interlinear if possible?
I've been using the Artscroll Interlinear series to read the Torah and it's helping me make a lot of progress in finally learning Tanakh Hebrew. But outside of the five scrolls and the psalms, ...
- 41
0
votes
2
answers
229
views
ענה how to define
I would like to know how to define the root word ענה, what actual meanings are given to this root and what is the common denomitor?
[I’ve found this root in different verses, so I don’t want to ...
- 7,596
1
vote
0
answers
109
views
Rashi, Tosfot - Dialects
Is there a name for the dialect of Hebrew/Aramaic that Rashi and Tosfot use? Have there been any articles and/or books published on how to systematically approach Rashi and the Baalei Tosfot's ...
- 171
2
votes
1
answer
137
views
הם (heym) vs. המה (heyma)
Why does the Torah use the word המה - HEYMA - in these 19 psukim (20 times) instead of the more common and simple form הם - HEYM ?
בראשית ו ד
בראשית ז יד
בראשית מב לה
בראשית מד ג
שמות יט יג
שמות ...
- 7,092
6
votes
1
answer
167
views
הָהֵ֔ם and הָאֵ֑לֶּה difference
I am an English speaking non-Jew but am studying the Hebrew Scriptures and need help in Hebrew language for my studies.
It is quite a simple question but it will help me very much.
What is the ...
- 213
1
vote
1
answer
415
views
Hebrew word "return" in Zechariah
Forgive me, I don't know any Hebrew, nor am I technical enough to write the actual Hebrew letters in this post.
In Zechariah 1:16 and 8:3 God says (as translated in English) "I am returned to ...
- 213
5
votes
1
answer
506
views
Is the letter Aleph (א) also a word that means "to teach, inculcate"?
This Aish article about the meaning of the word "Adam" states the following:
The letter aleph is also a word which means to teach or inculcate. It similarly indicates leadership, as implied by ...
- 525
2
votes
0
answers
171
views
Usage of final nun with kamatz
Frequently, in Tanac"h, the 3rd person female plural uses an end nun with a kamatz ןָ rather than nun-heh נָה.
Is there any reasoning of preference of one usage vs. the other?
- 71.5k
5
votes
0
answers
143
views
Why does Echad mi Yodeia switch languages in middle?
Why does echad mi yodeia switch from hebrew (eg. אֶחָד מִי יוֹדֵעַ? אֶחָד אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ: אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ.) to arameic (eg. שִׁבְעָה יְמֵי שַׁבָּתָא), back to hebrew (eg. ...
- 518
0
votes
1
answer
113
views
Grammatical determination of Zochreinu (as in זָכְרֵנוּ לְחַיִּים)
Can someone please help me determine the form of the word זָכְרֵנוּ as it appears in the Amida in the Ten Days of Repentance. Looking at the translation I was guessing it to be the imperative plural ...
- 103
2
votes
0
answers
122
views
How come Torah does not have a distinctive word for "wife"?
[Edited] In Bereshit, Torah says the woman will be called Isha, that comes from Ish and is parallel to Ish. Later, Torah says Adam gave to אשתו a new name Chava. Now אשתו appears (out of nowhere) as "...
- 28k
0
votes
1
answer
226
views
How do the Rabbis rationalize Hebrew as being a divine language given from Hashem when we also believe Aramaic to be a sister language?
This is one of those issues that has always bugged me.
Hebrew and Aramaic are both languages found within the Torah/Tanakh. If Hebrew is a divine language and given to us from Hashem as his word, why ...
user15672
16
votes
4
answers
863
views
Why the Sanhedrin has a Greek name?
This bothers me since a long time. The biggest Jewish halachic authority, arguably, the peak of the Torah world which can be ever imagined, which has its most basic definitions in the Chumash (70 ...
- 1,353
0
votes
2
answers
530
views
Torah meaning in the connection between חזיר (pig) and חזרה (return or repeat)
The shoresh for the word Chazarah (return or repeat see here) is the same as that for the word Chazir (pig).
The Hebrew language is not just a convention to name objects; in Hebrew, the name of the ...
- 805
2
votes
1
answer
639
views
Meaning of abbreviation tblch"t / tblch"a
What do these abbreviations stand for? I have seen them beside the names of righteous females. Does it mean that she should have long life? What is the equivalent for males?
- 20.2k
2
votes
4
answers
4k
views
What is the meaning behind the word "House" when we call the Jews "The House of Israel"?
The House of Israel is a phrase which gets repeated often but I never get many people explaining the small details behind the name.
The Jewish people are called the "House" of Israel. Is there a ...
user13783
2
votes
0
answers
52
views
Would anyone know of good places in the NYC area which teach Biblical Hebrew?
I was not raised with any foundational Hebrew education. Most of the places that I've researched which teach Hebrew are all "Modern Hebrew" (spoken in Israel) courses and not Torah Hebrew (The ...
user13783
2
votes
0
answers
149
views
"Bli neder" and shevuot
As far as I understand from the discussion here, a "neder" is a vow forbidding or consecrating objects, whereas a "shevua" governs personal actions. For example, one would make a neder to declare wine ...
- 20.2k
7
votes
3
answers
647
views
How is there Torah about Hebrew letters if the letters are not original?
Occasionally I hear Torah that relates to the iconography of Hebrew letters, like the significance around the fact that the yud is a small point, and how the hey has two openings, allowing repentants ...
- 383
1
vote
2
answers
411
views
What do you call a female Chosid?
I have encountered a lot of different words purporting to be the feminine version of Chosid (Hasid/Hassid/חסיד). I have seen or heard:
Chosides (~Chosidit?)
Chasideh/Chasida
Most recently, "...
- 20.2k
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Plural of yasher koach?
Many expressions in Hebrew take different forms when referring to women or groups. What is the correct way to say yasher koach/ײשר כּח to multiple people?
- 20.2k
6
votes
2
answers
942
views
What language did Pharaoh speak?
Specifically, I am looking for sources that address this issue/topic. Namely, if he spoke fluent Hebrew, as the Torah records his words, how did he know the language? If, on the other hand, he spoke ...
- 2,682
6
votes
1
answer
503
views
How holy is Aramaic?
I've always thought that Hebrew is the Lashon HaKodesh, the language G-d speaks, and the language of Judaism. And that Aramaic is also important but somewhat secondary.
But based on this answer, it ...
- 4,666