The Hebrew language is an ancient language, spoken and written by the people of Israel as early as the beginning of the first millennium. It is the language of the Old Testament and Jewish scripture. Though Jews started speaking other languages as well from the end of the First Temple Period onwards (Aramaic, Greek and as well as other European vernacular languages in later eras), Hebrew remained the language of the Scriptures and prayer, and was called "The Holy Tongue".
Jews continued to learn, to read and write in Hebrew throughout the last two millennia even though it was not their spoken language, specifically because it was their ancient holy language.
Photographs: The Worms Mahzor (festival prayerbook), Germany, 13th century, NLI. The prayerbook was used by the Worms community until the synagogue's destruction on Kristallnacht, November 1938. It was rescued by the city archivist who hid it in the cathedral, and was transferred in 1957 to the NLI.
, 1272, Simhah ben Yehudah the Scribe.jpg)
, 1272, Simhah ben Yehudah the Scribe, opening page.jpg)
, 1272, Simhah ben Yehudah the Scribe, Purim festival.jpg)
, 1272, Simhah ben Yehudah the Scribe, 'Va Yohav'.jpg)
-
A NATIONAL LANGUAGE
The Jewish Zionist movement came into being during the last quarter of the 19th century together with the rise of the Nationalist Movements in Europe. The revival of Hebrew as a spoken language was one of the important goals of the Zionist movement. Today, Hebrew is the official language of the State of Israel and is the primary spoken language in the country.
Photograph: Hatikva, Hymn of the state of Israel, written by Naphtali Herz Imber, autograph, 1907-8, The National Library of Israel.
Ha Tikva - The Israeli Anthem, an autograph by N.H. Imber