BH501a – First Year Hebrew Part 1
Instructor: Rabbi Rich Nichols
Location: Populi (https://mjti.populiweb.com)
Dates: October 27 – December 29 • Fall • 2024
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BH501a is the first part of BH501, Biblical Hebrew, introducing students to the Hebrew letters and vowels, nouns, perfect and imperfect verbs, adjectives, and direct objects. Students will begin learning commonly used Hebrew words in the Tanakh, practice pronunciation, and begin learning to read the Siddur.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this course successfully, the student will be able to:
- Identify and pronounce the Hebrew letters and vowels.
- Read aloud Hebrew prayers and Biblical text.
- Comprehend the most common Biblical Hebrew vocabulary words.
- Identify perfect and imperfect verb forms.
- Identify adjective forms and plural noun forms.
- Develop skill at reading and pronouncing prayers from the Siddur.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE CURRICULUM
This course is required for all MJTI Masters program and some certificate programs.
RELEVANCE
Why Hebrew? Learning Hebrew will enable you to have a clearer sense of the Bible, gain insight into Jewish culture and worldview, and identify with the people of the Tanakh like King David, Isaiah, and the heroes of faith. You will gain skill in reading and understanding the Siddur and Jewish prayer.
PREREQUISITES
Students must take or be enrolled in GR101 Introduction to Graduate Studies. There are no Hebrew prerequisites.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Students need access to a computer, video conferencing equipment (mic, speaker, and webcam), and a dedicated internet connection.
COURSE FORMAT
This class meets twice per week online with weekly textbook assignments.
REQUIREMENTS
Students will be required to meet by Zoom twice each week and complete assignments from the textbook.
REQUIRED TEXTS
- Simon, E., Resnikoff, I., and Motzkin, L. The First Year Hebrew Primer 3rd ed., Berkley, CA: EKS Publishing, 2005.
- Holladay, William, Editor. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1972.