Hebrew language ( (עברית [‘Ivrit])
586 Bc saw first destruction of holy city of Jerusalem and that time Hebrew was slowly replaced by Armaic language. But it continued to occupy its holy position as only language to read Talmud the scared texts, thus it became religious language of Jewish population.
Early 19th century saw revival of Hebrew as modern language and it became an integral part of Jewish all over the world uniting them. the popular languages Yiddish, Arabic and ladino were replaced by this language effectively. Modern Hebrew is an official language and administrative language of modern state of Israel. Over 6 million people consisting mainly of Jews but also some of the Arab communities are native speaker of Hebrew. The language is regulated by academy of Hebrew language situated in Israel. ISO639 code for the language is HEB
Hebrew language in its ancient form has been found to be very similar to its neighboring languages the Phoenicians and Canaanites. Hebrew also shares linguistic features with Aramaic and also central Arabic language. In Addition to words and other linguistic forms Hebrew has been largely influenced by Aramaic writing style. This letters have changed from their earlier Phoenician forms in the era of Mesopotamian and Jewish time’s. Bible written in Hebrew is the earliest form of written work of this language. Hebrew has derived its form from borrowed words and expressions from Aramaic language and even in religious works this is evidently noticed. Hebrew played significant role in international trade as Jews commonly spoke this ancient language for purpose of confidentiality and bonding amongst themselves.
Hebrew Language
Hebrew Alphabets
Made up of Two Semantic alphabets traditional Hebrew which is called early or classical Hebrew and square or modern Hebrew. Hebrew words are written like Arabic from left to right. Aleph is beg gaining of alphabets and Tav is the end. In fact aleph abet is common name for Hebrew alphabets. There are 22 alphabets. Surprisingly Hebrew has no vowels in written language. Since there are no vowels or very less of them in language rabbis had to devise an innovative method of dots and dashes called NKUDOTS. This dots and dashes are added below or above the line s so they do not distort main word.
There is a special way of writing called STAM found in religious torah scrolls where letters are written with special crown kind of structure on letters so that they can be pronounced diffrently
Modernization of Hebrew
Special Efforts made by Elizer –ben –yehuda in year 1855 which carried on to 1922 is worth mentioning and he is known as Reviver of Modern Hebrew. He was Revolutionary during tsar reign on Russia and later fled to Palestine. He joined Jewish National movement to Unite Jews all over the globe and reviving of Hebrew as connecting language was part of the movement. He developed anew style of Hebrew which all Jews across the world could speak in. The committee of Hebrew language was establishes which later on took name of Academy of Hebrew language as it exists today. The result of his and his team’s hard work can be seen in form of dictionary called Complete dictionary of Modern and Ancient Hebrew.
Russian influence is quite evident in modern Hebrew, Russian suffix’ aciais ‘used for nouns, other strong Influences are English, Yiddish, Arabic and Palestinian languages. Modern Hebrew script is called square which is derived from early Aramaic script. This script is also found in cursive form and is used in written Hebrew. Shmul Yosef Agnon was Nobel laureate who promoted Hebrew.
Hebrew is spoken in many parts of the world mainly by Jewish population in Canada, USA, Argentina, France, Australia, Russia, Germany, south Africa, UK and Ukraine. Mainly language of Religion, Hebrew is also introduced in Jewish schools as part of study ad mandatory for anyone to learn Jewish religious books. Strong efforts are made by Jewish organizations to keep this language alive through various free language learning programs like National Jewish Outreach Program and free lessons through various synagogues especially In Europe and USA.
Dialects of Hebrew include Standard Hebrew which is also known as general israeli and europanised hebrew (Oriental Hebrew arabized and yemenite Hebrew)
Major Arcana of tarot & Torah
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0. Fool
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Aleph
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Bull / Ox
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Age of Taurus
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1. Magician
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Beth / Bet
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house
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location
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2. High Priestess
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Gimel / Gimmel
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camel
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means of transportation
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3. Empress
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Daleth / Dallet
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door
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passage through / womb
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4. Emperor
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Heh
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window
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letting in light
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5. Heirophant
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Vav / Vau / Vahv
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nail / hook
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joins parts together
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6. Lovers
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Zain / Zayin / Zy-in
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sword
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cuts / discrimination
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7. Chariot
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Cheth / Chet
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the fence enclosing enclosing a field
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home
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8. Strength
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Teth / Teht
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snake
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source of illusion / reincarnation
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9. Hermit
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Yod / Yud
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open hand
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power
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10. Wheel of Fortune
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Kaph (a curve)
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closed hand
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to hold on to
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11. Justice
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Lamed / Lahmed
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ox-goad / to teach and instruct / education Justice is not blind!
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goads Aleph
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12. Hanged Man
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Mem / Mehm
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sea
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birth
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13. Death
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Nun
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fish
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to sprout and grow / fertility
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14. Temperance
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Samekh / Sah-mech
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tent peg
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upholds
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15. Devil
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Ayin / Eye-in
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eye / foundation
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seeing appearances only
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16. Tower
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Peh
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mouth as the organ of speech / the power of utterance
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speech / talking
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17. Star
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Tzaddi / Tzah-dee
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fish hook
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draws #13 fish out of #12 water
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18. Moon
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Qoph / Koph / Ooph
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back of head
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discernment / thought
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19. Sun
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Resh
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face of man
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countenance
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20. Judgement
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Shin
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tooth
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serpent’s fang / the Holy Letter (refers to #8)
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21. World
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Tav / Tau / Tahv
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signature / mark
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salvation
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