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Hebrew Roots, Jewish Routes
Why does Hebrew matter?
In answering this question, Hebrew Roots, Jewish Routes addresses the many ways engagement with Hebrew enriches Jewishness—culturally, religiously, ethnically. Whether you know Hebrew or not, linguist and cultural anthropologist Jeremy Benstein takes us on a journey into the deeper significance of Hebrew in the life of Jews and Judaism. With fluency a distant goal for so many, Benstein provides another engaging with Hebrew by focusing on the three-letter Hebrew roots – the “nuggets of knowledge” -- that are the building blocks of the language. For instance, tzedakah , usually translated as “charity,” actually relates to notions of justice ( tzedek ) and responsibility, not acts of generosity, thus encapsulating an entire economic world view. With many examples throughout the book, and in nineteen innovative "Wordshops," Benstein shows us both why and how to connect to Hebrew, as a vehicle to enrich our connection to Judaism and its values.
More than just a book about a language, this is a book about the Jewish people and the challenges we face as seen through our shared language, Hebrew.
In answering this question, Hebrew Roots, Jewish Routes addresses the many ways engagement with Hebrew enriches Jewishness—culturally, religiously, ethnically. Whether you know Hebrew or not, linguist and cultural anthropologist Jeremy Benstein takes us on a journey into the deeper significance of Hebrew in the life of Jews and Judaism. With fluency a distant goal for so many, Benstein provides another engaging with Hebrew by focusing on the three-letter Hebrew roots – the “nuggets of knowledge” -- that are the building blocks of the language. For instance, tzedakah , usually translated as “charity,” actually relates to notions of justice ( tzedek ) and responsibility, not acts of generosity, thus encapsulating an entire economic world view. With many examples throughout the book, and in nineteen innovative "Wordshops," Benstein shows us both why and how to connect to Hebrew, as a vehicle to enrich our connection to Judaism and its values.
More than just a book about a language, this is a book about the Jewish people and the challenges we face as seen through our shared language, Hebrew.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published June 5, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 6, 2019
As a language geek, I loved this book. It inspired me to start memorizing triliteral-roots in the hope of deepening my understanding of Hebrew and Yiddishkeit. My only complaint is that there weren't enough of the root 'workshops'. If the book was nothing but these workshops with some additionally commentary I would have loved it even more.
Dr. Benstein, if you read this, consider writing a follow up to this that focusing only on the roots, linking them to commonly used words featuring them and perhaps give a little drash on words that use them with less than obvious links to their primary meaning.
Dr. Benstein, if you read this, consider writing a follow up to this that focusing only on the roots, linking them to commonly used words featuring them and perhaps give a little drash on words that use them with less than obvious links to their primary meaning.
April 9, 2023
The author's love of Hebrew shines through. A treat for Lashon Lovers!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews