Indirizzato a

This course is open to anyone over the age of 18.

The only prerequisite for this course is a working knowledge of English – the language of instruction. In any event, if it turns out that a student is unsuited for a particular level, the teacher will immediately transfer him or her to the appropriate class (at no extra charge).

Presentazione

The course is also available in Spanish, Portuguese and French.


The classwork itself focuses on reading the Bible in its original language. Over the course of the semester, students learn the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, familiarize themselves with the elementary noun and verbal paradigms, and acquire 450 common Biblical Hebrew words.

Even grammatical topics are taught within the framework of some of the Bible’s most compelling stories. By the end of the term, students will possess a basic vocabulary, be able to read and pronounce all the letters and vowels of the alphabet, and have a working knowledge of the language’s elementary syntactical features. Last but not least, you will acquire a deep sense for the original Hebrew meanings of the Biblical stories.


Additional features

In addition to the weekly virtual class, students have access to the following learning tools:

- Recorded Lessons – All the lessons are recorded and available on demand.
- Q&A and extra practice sessions - A weekly teacher moderated session for Q&A and discussion group.
- Forum – A 24/7 online forum to answer all your course-related questions.
- Technical Support –Available 24/7 to assist you.

Attestato

Academic Credit by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Students are more than welcome to take our Biblical Hebrew courses for 3 academic credits from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. For full academic requirements, please download our Information Pack and read the Academic Requirements appendix B.

Date e orari

November 2017:
Sun, November 12, 2017 Fri, August 03, 2018.

Europe (CET)
•Group No. 1406 - Sunday, 15:00 - 15:55
•Group No. 1396 - Tuesday, 17:00 - 17:55
•Group No. 1433 - Wednesday, 16:00 - 16:55

December 2017:
Sun, December 10, 2017 Fri, August 31, 2018

Europe (CET)
•Group No. 1421 - Sunday, 18:00 - 18:55
•Group No. 1416 - Monday, 19:00 - 19:55
•Group No. 1430 - Tuesday, 17:05 - 18:00

January 2018:
Sun, January 14, 2018 Fri, September 28, 2018

Europe (CET)
•Group No. 1446 - Sunday, 17:05 - 18:00
•Group No. 1448 - Wednesday, 16:00 - 16:55
•Group No. 1445 - Thursday, 19:00 - 19:55

February 2018:
Sun, February 11, 2018 Fri, November 23, 2018

March 2018:
Sun, March 11, 2018 Fri, December 21, 2018

April 2018:
Sun, April 15, 2018 Fri, January 18, 2019

May 2018:
Sun, May 13, 2018 Fri, February 22, 2019

June 2018:
Sun, June 17, 2018 Fri, March 29, 2019

July 2018:
Sun, July 15, 2018 Fri, April 26, 2019

August 2018:
Sun, August 12, 2018 Fri, May 31, 2019.

September 2018:
Sun, September 02, 2018 Fri, June 21, 2019.

October 2018:
Sun, October 14, 2018 Fri, July 05, 2019.

November 2018:
Sun, November 11, 2018 Fri, August 02, 2019.

December 2018:
Sun, December 09, 2018 Fri, August 30, 2019.

Durata

Class meets once a week over a 8-month period.

Programma

1. The Hebrew Alphabet: Then and Now

Welcome! After introducing ourselves, we will start to learn about the history of the Hebrew alphabet. We will discuss its relationship with the Latin alphabet and learn our first 8 Hebrew letters.


2. The Hebrew Alphabet, Continued

In our second lesson we will continue to learn about the Hebrew alphabet and cover the rest of it. At the end of the lesson we will be able to recognize all 23 of the Hebrew letters.


3. The Hebrew Vowels

After learning the letters and consonants we will begin to learn about the Hebrew vowels. We will start with the history of the Hebrew vowels notation and get familiar with the first vowel, [a].


4. The Vowels E-I-O-U

In this lesson we will continue with the rest of the Hebrew vowels and learn about the vowels [e-i-o-u]. We can already start to read short verses from the story of the creation (Genesis 1).


5. The 'Dagesh' and Syllable Division

After discussing the Hebrew consonants and vowels we will learn how Hebrew marks gemination (doubling of a consonant) and how to divide words into syllables. We will also read and discuss verses from the story of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3)


6. Nouns and Adjectives

Now, after we are able to read and pronounce the Hebrew sounds, we will turn to discussing the morphology of Hebrew words. We will start with the nouns and adjectives and learn about their basic forms and grammar. We will learn these issues while continuing. the discussion on the story of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3)


7. The 'Shewa'

In this lesson we will go back a little to the realm of the sounds and learn about another vocalic sign, the 'Shewa'. We will discuss this sign within the framework of the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).


8. Hebrew Word Structure

The question discussed in this lesson is - how does Hebrew create words? We will learn about the Hebrew terms 'Shoresh' (root) and Mishqal (pattern). We will also read and discuss a few verses from the story of the flood (Genesis 6-8).


9. A Few More Vowels

In this lesson we will complete the phonological part by learning a few more vowels: the short vowel [o] ('Qamatz Qatan) and the reduced vowels. We will learn how to recognize them while discussing the story of Jacob’s dream (Genesis 28).


10. The Definite Article

How does Hebrew mark the difference between “a boy” and “the boy”? This is the question that will we try to answer in lesson 10. We will return to reading and discussing verses from the story of the creation (Genesis 1) and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).


11. The Definite Article, Con't & Some Prepositions

In this lesson we will continue to discuss some other aspects of the definite article. We will also learn how Hebrew combines the definite article with some prepositions, while discussing verses from the story of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3).


12. Construct Chains

What is the difference between “a wood chest” and “a chest of wood”? In this lesson we learn how Hebrew marks the “of” relationship. We will illustrate this relationship discussing some verses from Genesis.

13. Plural Construct Chains

How does Hebrew mark the “of” relationship in plural words? In this lesson we will answer this question. We will also read and discuss the story of Cain and Abel.


14. Independent Personal Pronouns

I, you, he, she… In this lesson we will learn about the Hebrew independent personal pronouns. We will illustrate these pronouns within the framework of the story of Cain and Abel.


15. Pronominal Suffixes

In this lesson we will learn how Hebrew marks the differences between: “my horse”, “your horse” and “his horse”. We will also discuss how Hebrew symbolized the connection between the dove and Noah (Genesis 8).


16. The Definite Construct

The question that we will answer in this lesson is how Hebrew marks the difference between “THE son of Jesse” and “A son of Jesse.” We will illustrate these constructions within the framework of the story of Hagar (Genesis 21).


17. Nominal Sentences

Why doesn't Hebrew need a verb in order to create a sentence? In this lesson we will learn how Hebrew creates nominal sentences. We will also discuss what happened between Jacob and Rachel near the well (Genesis 29).


18. Nominal Sentences, Con't

In this lesson we will meet different ways to create nominal sentences in Hebrew. We will demonstrate how the author of Proverbs 6:23 plays with nominal sentences in order to design a challenging proverb.


19. Review: Ruth

The goal of this lesson is to slow down a little bit and to look backward to what we achieved until now. We will review the previous grammatical materials with the framework of the story of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1). How can the characters’ names illuminate the story? – This will be one of the questions that we will ask ourselves.


20. Qatal Verbs

After discussing Hebrew nouns and adjectives, in this lesson we will start the third part of the first course 'The verb'. We will learn about the morphology of the suffix conjugation called “Qatal“. We will see that there is a clear connection between the different persons and the independent pronouns.


21. Translating Qatal

What is the meaning of the Qatal form, and how do we translate it into English? These will be the questions that we will ask in this lesson. We will also learn how Hebrew marks the definite direct object. We will illustrate these topics using a variety of verses from the Bible.


22. Translating Qatal, Con't

In this lesson we will continue with the questions concerning the meaning and the translation of the Qatal form. We will discover how this form performs in different sentences and how Hebrew is different from English in this point.


23. Review: Ruth, Con't

Why did Naomi want to change her name to Mara? What happened to Ruth and Naomi when they returned from Moab? These will be part of the questions that we will answer in this review lesson. The discussion will enable us to review the previous lessons. (Ruth 1-2)


24. Yiqtol Verbs

The second verbal form that we will learn is the prefix conjugation called “Yiqtol“. In this lesson we will learn how to recognize this form and how Hebrew marks the different persons in it. We will discover that also in this form there is a clear connection between the different persons and the independent pronouns.


25. Translating Yiqtol

What is the meaning of the Yiqtol form, and how do we translate it into English? These will be the questions that we will ask in this lesson. We will illustrate these topics using a variety of verses from the Bible.


26. Translating Yiqtol, Con't

In this lesson we will continue with the questions concerning the meaning and the translation of the Yiqtol form. We will discove how this form performs in different sentences and how Hebrew is different from English in this point.


27. Review: Ruth, Con't

What is the semantic connection between the “resting place” and Naomi’s plans for Ruth? (Ruth 3:1) How is the author of the book playing with the connotations of the verbs 'to know' and 'to lay down'? These will be some of the questions that we will answer in this review lesson. The discussion will enable us to review the previous lessons. (Ruth 3)


28. Wayyiqtol Verbs

The third verbal form that we will learn is the form Wayyiqtol. In the first part of this lesson we will learn how to recognize this form. In the second part we will discover what the meaning of this form is and how to translate it into English. We will illustrate its usages using a variety of verses from the Bible.


29. Weqatal Verbs

The fourth verbal form that we will learn is the form Weqatal. In the first part of this lesson we will learn how to recognize this form. In the second part we will discover what the meaning of this form is and how to translate it into English. We will illustrate its usages using a variety of verses from the Bible.


30. Where We've Been

“Where We've Been” is the name of our last meeting in this course. In this meeting we'll go back through the course and see the long way that we have come from our first lesson until now. Now that we are able to begin walking through the Bible, it is the time to say: Shalom!, and see you in our coming course!