Page 21 - Ulpan Or E-Tone (16-01-18) Advaced Level

E-Tone™: Ulpan-Or Weekly News Digest

Item #4 (Advanced Level)

Happy Hebrew Holiday

The name of the Hebrew language is only known from the time of the
Second Temple. In the Bible it’s called Jewish, the language of the land of

Judea. The first word Eliezer Ben Yehuda renewed was dictionary, up
until then it was called a word book. Hayim Nahman Bialik renewed more
words than Eliezer Ben Yehuda – three hundred, as opposed to about two

hundred and twenty. The most commonly used word in Hebrew is “no”.
Other ubiquitous words are: “et”, all, none, this, me and the verbs: was and
said. The Hebrew words amen and hallelujah are known all over the world,
and many have also heard of Hava Nagila. In contrast to what you may

have been taught, a connecting Vav can follow a comma, and even a full-
stop. There’s no mistake there. In the past, our politicians didn’t just

engage in governing, but in word innovations as well. The resurrection of
Hebrew speech is a unique phenomenon in the whole world. What for
many generations was a dream, is a reality of life for us today. Happy
Hebrew holiday!

Page 21 - Edition 01-16-18
Copyrighted and owned by Ulpan-Or. Any usage, copying and distribution without express permission from Ulpan-Or is prohibited.