Practice Hebrew

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Practice Hebrew

fschmidt
Administrator
This post was updated on .
Biblic Judaism suggests that you practice Hebrew daily.  For those learning Hebrew, this will usually mean covering some material in a book that teaches Hebrew.  For those who are more advanced, this can mean reading some of the Bible in Hebrew.  It isn't so important how much you do each day as long as you do something, some Hebrew practice.

Why do we have this practice?

- To better understand the Bible.
- To make shabbat service more meaningful.
- To provide a daily religious exercise.

Most of the Bible is written in Hebrew.  If you don't know Hebrew, then you are reading a translation which inevitably distorts the original meaning to some degree.  It is clear that being able to read the Bible in its original language is an advantage for understanding the Bible.

Orthodox and Karaite shabbat services are mostly in Hebrew.  So clearly learning Hebrew will help make these services more meaningful.

While shabbat is a weekly religious exercise, serious religions generally include a daily religious exercise.  For example, Orthodox Jews pray 3 times a day.  Biblic Judaism suggests practicing Hebrew as a very practical daily religious exercise that isn't overly demanding.  To learn a language, it is essential not take breaks during which you will forget what you learned.  So the requirement of practicing Hebrew daily will prevent you from forgetting Hebrew and will keep you advancing forward.