Speaking Hebrew (Ivrit)
(Above) "I only speak Hebrew here" - from Bob's letter to his younger brother, Alan
“..I was met at the airport and we went by taxi to Jerusalem…“On the way I conversed with the driver in Hebrew and (to be modest) he and everyone else was amazed at my knowledge of the country…"
"My ability to speak Hebrew made me very proud".
July 21, 1957
“ I’m thrilled how easily I understand Hebrew.”
July 23, 1957
"Wednesday night I went in a border control car…we were well armed and had huge dogs that only understood Hebrew... they could kill a person in a second. The border guard introduced me to the dog, and after I spoke Hebrew, we were friends"
(Letter to younger brother, Alan)
August 16, 1957
David's Comments
Our Heritage and our Birthright: The Hebrew Language
The 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet
Elaine Jacobs (maiden name, Mirwis) received a certificate of excellence in Hebrew at 13 yrs old.
Yerachmiel (Bob) Jacobs' Hebrew Flatbush Yeshiva Diploma
Robert (Bob) Jacobs' English Flatbush Yeshiva Diploma
What are the advantages of speaking Hebrew?
To understand the culture of the country and communicate with the people, it is better to know Hebrew - the more the better. Since our Bible and prayers are written in Hebrew, an understanding of the original language deepens our connection to the land and our heritage - OUR BIRTHRIGHT.
How did my father and mother learn Hebrew?
My father started learning Hebrew at five years old when his parents sent him to Yeshiva of Flatbush, where classes in Jewish studies were taught in Hebrew. My Mom also studied and excelled in Hebrew at an early age. If children are not taught Hebrew at a young age, it will be very difficult later on.
As it is written in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) "He who learns as a child, to what is he compared? to ink written upon new paper. And he who learns when old, to what is he compared? To ink written on a rubbed out paper."
What is the best way to learn Hebrew?
The best way to learn is to converse and practice with others in Hebrew. My father's younger brother Alan also went to Yeshiva of Flatbush where Hebrew was taught. But learning Hebrew in the classroom is not enough. One needs to practice. The rule is, the more one uses his Hebrew, the faster he will pick it up. In one of his letters to his younger brother Alan, he opened up with a Hebrew sentence: "I speak only Hebrew", writing vowels under the Hebrew letters so his younger brother could better understand.
Hebrew speaking Dogs
"…we were well armed and had huge dogs that only understood Hebrew... The border guard introduced me to the dog, and after I spoke Hebrew, we were friends" (August 16th letter from Bob to brother Alan).
My father even used humor to impart to his little brother the advantages of knowing Hebrew when in Israel. Today, Alan's grandchildren live in Efrat, Israel, and Alan enjoys speaking to them in Hebrew. He has begun speaking to his dog "Sparky" in Hebrew as well.
Our connection is tied to Hebrew and the Bible
You can translate the holy language but you cannot translate the holiness of the language. The Hebrew language is intrinsically holy. G-d created the world and all existence using permutations of the 22 Hebrew letters.
Links Below to Hebrew Language Tutorials
The links below have not been censored or reviewed but have been attached for the purpose of review.
1957 vs today
In 1957, the new immigrants absorbed into Israeli society and spoke Hebrew immediately. The kids came from all different countries and were absorbed into the newly established State of Israel, and learned Hebrew almost immediately.
Today, many of the new immigrants move into communities with the same ethnicity and continue to speak their native tongue. For example Americans move into a place like Efrat, Hashmonaim, Bet Shemesh or Raanana with other Americans and continue to speak English. Russians move into communities with other Russians and continue to speak Russian.
LINKS:
Bob quoting from the Book of Isaiah in Hebrew: Still remembering at the age of 83: https://vimeo.com/446219882
Cute children’s Aleph-Bet video: https://youtu.be/UiCzoTs1AdE
Hebrew in Three Minutes: https://vimeo.com/454082500
Another Hebrew in Three Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UU6Fe7lqIo
Hebrew Slang – By Roni (Not for Children): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbyBHvtW_E0
Hebrew Games: https://hebrew-language.com/hebrew-games/