Hebrew

I am once again taking a class trying to learn Hebrew.  I tried a few years ago, but too many distractions were going on in my life at the time and I didn't get very far.  I ran into the Rabbi's wife recently (she's the adult Hebrew teacher).  She mentioned that she was teaching a class again, and before I knew it, I was asking her if I could join them.  I don't think I realized that I really still wanted to learn until that moment. 

I have learned the letters aleph (א) (an easy one that I knew already), nun ( נ) (also easy because I remembered it from the dreidel), mem (מ) (looks like a Mountain), tav (ת) (has a Toe), hay (ה) (has a Hole), and a bunch of vowels which, to make it easier for us (I think), our teacher told us all sound like either ee or ah.  I think one of the "ah's" actually sounds like "aw" when using Ashkenazi pronunciation, which is what I was used to hearing (not that I had the opportunity to hear it that much) growing up. My temple uses Sephardic pronunciation and that's also what is used in Israel.

All I really want to do is to be able to read the actual Hebrew during services, rather than having to rely on the transliteration.  Not everything in the prayer book is transliterated.    

I wrote this post because I have class tonight and it was a good way to get myself to review.

Comments

[Leora]

טוֹב

Hint: if you want to put some Hebrew in a post, go to Mechon Mamre Hebrew - English Bible and cut and paste the phrase you want.

Sounds like you are doing great. Keep posting about this.

[Gail]

Thanks for the encouragement, Leora. We didn't end up having class last night after all. The rabbi's wife didn't show up. Hope everything is ok.

[shira0607]

I've been trying to learn Hebrew as well. Since there isn't anyone close by that can teach Hebrew, I've been using some sources on the Internet. At Aish.com, I'm learning the aleph bet. At SiddurAudio.com, I can follow along with my siddur at home and practice both reading and pronunciation. It has been helping and I no longer need the transliteration. I still become lost but am able to pick up when I see a word and I recognize.

[Leora]

See http://www.cartoonhebrew.com/.

Also, if there is a topic that interests you (Gail or Shira) related to Hebrew or the siddur, I'd enjoy doing a post. I like to write up topics that will be of interest.

[Gail]

Shira: I hadn't heard of sidduraudio.com. Will have to go check it out. That's very cool that you no longer need the transliteration.

Thanks for the sites, Leora. Your posts are always very educational. That's one of the things I really like about your site.