Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language (Level 3) Fall ’23

Current Status

Not Enrolled

Price

700 USD

Get Started

This course is currently closed

Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language (Level 3)

Conversations with King David: Stories, Prophecy and Poetry

Note: This is course meets once a week over 2 semesters.

SH BHLL 103a, 103b – 4 Credits (2 Credits per semester)*

After having delved into Biblical Hebrew narrative and further engaging the Bible, we can now start exploring other genres such as poetry, and enhance our communication with more complex syntax.

This course builds upon the Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language (level 2) course and takes the student further into building their knowledge of the language: expanding their grasp of the language and their ability to dive into the Hebrew scriptures. Texts from King David’s life will be our guide.

If you have previously studied Biblical Hebrew elsewhere you are welcome to take a placement test to see which level fits you best.

Using the unique and cutting edge immersion method for Biblical Hebrew instruction, this course will sharpen and greatly expand the student’s ability to engage with the original Hebrew texts of the Bible. Taught by native Hebrew speaking Israelis that have graduated from Jerusalem Seminary’s School of Hebrew: Hebrew for the Nations teacher’s course, students will receive an holistic method, exposing them to language and culture simultaneously. These methods dramatically improve flow in the reading and translation of Biblical Hebrew.

* Due to the nature of our immersive Hebrew courses, comprising of multiple instructors, live instruction and student exercises, this course is only available for credit. There is no option to only audit this course.

Syllabus – Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language (Level 3)

Course Prerequisites:
Either successful completion of the Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language (Level 2) course with a final exam grade above 75 or a passing grade in an internal Biblical Hebrew placement test.

Course Instructors: Talia Podkamenski and Nathanael Gerloff, certified School of Hebrew: Hebrew for the Nations Israeli teachers.

Class Times:

The course meets live for one two-hour session a week (on Wednesdays) for 23 sessions, over Fall 2023 Semester October 11th, 2023 through January 3rd, 2024 and Spring 2024 semester March 13th, 2024 through May 29th, 2024. The sessions will be recorded and made available in the days following the classes for those who cannot make the live sessions.

Wednesdays: 17:00-19:10 Jerusalem Time (10:00-12:10 AM Eastern Time)
Meetings schedule

Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Recognize and use more vocabulary in the Hebrew Bible in various contexts and forms.
Identify basic linguistic structures, including noun and adjective endings, verb roots, conjugations, and parts of speech.
Communicate simple thoughts and ideas, describe scenes, tell simple stories, and ask comprehension questions, all in basic spoken Biblical Hebrew.
Engage with the Tanakh – read stories and passages from the Hebrew bible, and know basic key terms in Biblical Hebrew.
Recite several verses from the Hebrew Bible from memory (e.g. Psalm 1) and know a few common Hebrew blessings.
Know Hebrew songs based on Biblical Hebrew.
Know (in Hebrew!) basic regions, cities, and land features of the Hebrew Bible that provide crucial tacit information for the reader of the Tanakh.
Expected Proficiency: B2

Requirements:
Attendance of the course sessions and timely completion of assignments and quizzes (approximately 4 weekly hours of homework and review).