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B. Hebrew today has two forms: Lashon Hakodesh (pronounced LAH-shown hah-KOH-dehsh), or the Holy Tongue, and Ivrit (pronounced eave-REET), or (modern) Hebrew. Lashon Hakodesh is the language the prophets received in, and the official language of prayer, while Ivrit, a Westernized version of the Holy Tongue, is the language of present-day Israel and the backbone of Zionism.
there are untold layers of Kabbalistic wisdom locked within its 22-letter alphabet. The letters are symbols of spiritual energies...
How can I learn Hebrew?
1. Read it, Write
Hebrew reads right-to-left and features chunky, square letters, the designs of which have evolved considerably through the eons but without losing their essential, significance-rich elements. The Hebrew alphabet consists of consonants only, using diacritics as vowel indicators. Hebrew reading classes for adults can be found at any of the 1,587,429 global Chabad centers (just kidding, there’s only about 2,000). [Read about "What is Chabad?" and go to http://www.chabad.org/centers/default_cdo/jewish/Centers.htm to find a Chabad center in your city.] And once you’re familiar with Hebrew reading, move on to Hebrew writing. The Hebrew manual alphabet is a simplified stick-figure script, making Hebrew writing easy with its simple strokes. The only disadvantage is, if you’re a righty, you’ll get an inky right hand after any considerable writing effort. The Chabad reading classes usually incorporate Hebrew writing skills or offer separate Hebrew penmanship instruction. There are also a variety of computer programs to study Hebrew, available at your local Jewish bookstore and also via online study programs.
2. Make a Move
To Israel, that is—nothing teaches you a language faster than being in a place where that’s all they speak. Or hang around Israelis—you can find ‘em everywhere.
3. Practice makes Perfect
As with acquiring any new skill, constant repetition becomes second nature. With a scheduled daily regimen of Hebrew reading and writing practice, you’ll have it down pat in no time at all.
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