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Before Hebrew there was aramaic
and some of the prayers are still in aramaic. I know people who are fluent in both classical Hebrew and Aramaic.
posted by
Norwood
on June 14, 2008 at 7:04 AM
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Sorry, gap
Careless reading on my part!
posted by
Nautikos
on June 7, 2008 at 2:07 PM
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Re: People often wonder at the "magic" of why jew are so successful
Actually, Emma - my husband is MY yenta!!! He's the biggest gossip on the face of the earth! That aside - he tried to learn at my kids' school and now knows how to read which is an improvment (and a miracle that he sat still long enough for the information to sink in!)
Mal
posted by
gapcohen
on June 7, 2008 at 4:13 AM
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I know that Hebrew is far older than 3500 years
Naut - you are correct, but that's not what I wrote; It's been "sacred text" for Jews since the Exodus from Egypt and Revelation on Mt. Sinai in 1500 BCE, making it roughly 3,500 years that the Jews have been using it in prayer and Torah reading.
posted by
gapcohen
on June 6, 2008 at 6:39 PM
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People often wonder at the "magic" of why jew are so successful
Well, research aside it is the commonality of language. Whether they were Poles, or Portugee, they had common language, and something could be hammered out! The Diaspora created trade routes, and who above all others were on those routes? Get your husband the Rosetta Stone Hebrew, it is well
well well worth the investment, and it will make his yenta proud
!
posted by
EmmaCunnan
on June 6, 2008 at 5:51 PM
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I found it difficult enough to attempt spanish (my ex was from South American). Even after 12 years of marriage, I still am not fluent. I cannot imagine attempting hebrew.
posted by
ZenMom
on June 6, 2008 at 5:44 AM
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gap
Fascinating! I'm not Jewish, and certainly don't know Hebrew, but I like languages and might give it a try! One other thing: it may sound presumptious, and I really hate having to correct the learned Rabbi Hammerman, but I know that Hebrew is far older than 3500 years, if not exactly in its contemporary form...
posted by
Nautikos
on June 5, 2008 at 7:22 PM
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