Learn Basic Hebrew
Have you ever tried to learn Torah, only to discover that you are totally reliant on translations? Would you like to be able to learn Torah independently? It will take some work, but it’s worth it. In this course Rabbi Avraham Fischer will teach you the fundamentals of textual Hebrew: basic grammar, parsing a text, vocabulary and using reference tools. This will open a world of deeper understanding of Tanach, commentaries, Mishnah, Jewish thought and more.
Recommended textbook: The First Hebrew Primer, but work sheets will be provided by Rabbi Fischer.
Please note: Participation in this 14-part course requires a payment of $50 (approximately $3.50 a lesson). You may submit payment by:
1. Visiting our DONATION PAGE and choosing a payment option.
2. By credit card via PAYPAL. Simply click on the link and follow the instructions. The amount is already listed.
Once paid, please contact us at office@webyeshiva.org to complete registration.
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew, Lesson 1
During this lesson we will learn
- how to parse a verse
- tips for identifying Hebrew nouns
- some basic aspects of Hebrew nouns
We will use Bereshit (Genesis) chapter 12 verses 1-5
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 2
In this lesson we will learn more about Nouns:
- the Direct Object
- Word Pairs, also known as the Construct State
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 12, verses 6-9
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 3
In this lesson we will continue our study of Nouns and Pronouns:
- Pronouns
- Nouns with Possessive Endings, singular and plural
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 12, verses 10-16
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 4
In this lesson we will complete our study of Nouns:
- Prepositions
- Object Pronouns
- Adjectives
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 12, verses 17-20
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 5
In this lesson we will begin our study of Verbs:
- Gender
- Agreement
- Verb Roots
- The Perfect Tense
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 13, verses 1-5
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 6
In this lesson we will continue our study of Verbs:
- The Imperfect Tense
- The Reversing Vav
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 13, verses 6-12
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 7
In this lesson we will continue our study of verbs:
- Commands
- Participles
- Infinitive
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 13, verses 13-18
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 8
In this lesson, we will Review what we have learned about verbs so far.
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 14, verses 1-7
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 9
In this lesson we will learn about:
- Hollow Verbs
- Numbers
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) 14:8-12
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 10
In this lesson we will learn about:
- Shortcuts for reconstructing a verb’s root
- Special cases of the letter Heh
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) 14:13-20
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 11
In this lesson we will learn:
- Two more Verb patterns, with variations
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) 14:21-24
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 12
In this lesson we will learn:
- More variations in the Hifil Pattern
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) 15:1-7
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 13
In this lesson we will learn:
- how verbs can combine with direct object suffixes
- about passive verb patterns
We will use Genesis (Bereshit) 15:8-16
Learn Basic Hebrew: Learn Basic Hebrew Lesson 14
In this lesson we will learn:
- the 7th Verb pattern
- tips for using the dictionary
We will use Genesis (Bereshit 15:17-21)
Rabbi Avraham Fischer Rabbi Fischer introduces beginning students to the fundamentals of Hebrew language and understanding the Biblical text. Born and raised in New York City, he has a BA in English Literature and Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva University, and an MA in English Literature from NYU. After serving as Rabbi and educator at a small congregation in New Jersey, Rabbi Fischer and his family came on aliya to Israel in 1986. He was Director of Jewish Studies at the WUJS Institute in Arad, and continues to teach at a number of educational programs in Israel and online. Using the name Arthur J. Fischer, he has also acted and directed in community theatre and has appeared in a number of films made for the haredi community. Avraham also develops materials and methods for teaching Biblical Hebrew to the English- speaking public. Avraham is married to Cheryl, and they live in Bet Shemesh.