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Question
I
am a non-Jew who is interested in learning Bibical Hebrew. A friend suggested
that I look around my area for a synagogue that has adult classes in Bibical Hebrew.
While I would certainly prefer learning in a classroom rather than purely from
text, I was concerned that my presence may be taken as offensive. What do you
suggest?
Answer
Thanks for writing and I am touched by your sensitivity.
You are to be congratulated for wanting to study Bible in the original language. By the way, the best scholarly translation from Hebrew directly to English is the TaNaKH presented by the Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia.
Very few synagogues provide classes in Biblical text Hebrew, but a number of universities, local colleges and seminaries do.
In terms of your presence in a classroom, I am certain that you would be welcomed as a fellow student and yes, you are right, being part of a group is IMHO better than working strictly from a textbook or CDROM although they exist.
If you want to use Google to check out "biblical hebrew" for courses, do so. If you want to tell me where you live, I may know of an appropriate school.
Best wishes in your
endeavor.
Best Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation for Family Education (FFFE)
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