HEBREWS LITERATURE

1. Nature of Hebrew Language, Poetry and Prose

 ETYMOLOGY
 Hebrews comes from the Middle English word “ebreu” which come from the old French derived
from the Latin word “Hebraeus”.
 Hebrews were ancestor of Samaritan Jews
 Jews were descendant of Hebrews
 Hebrews claim to be the descendant of Biblical Patriarch Abraham
 Hebrews is a member of the Canaanite group of Semitic languages.
 The church of Hebrew was called Jerusalem temple covered with gold

First temple built

by King
Solomon.
 HEBREWS LITERATURE
 Hebrew literature consists of ancient, medieval, and modern writings in the Hebrew language. It
is one of the primary forms of Jewish literature.
 ANCIENT – literature Hebrew begins with oral literature of the Leshon Hakodesh on the Holy
Language since very ancient times and with teaching of Abraham the first of the Biblical.
 MEDIEVAL – during the medieval period, the majority of Jewish and Hebrew literature was
composed in Islamic North Africa, Spain, Palestine, and the Middle East.
 MODERN – modern Jews developed new forms of fiction, poetry, and essay writing, which are
called “Modern Hebrew Literature”

a) 18th Century
 “LA-YESHARIM TEHILLAH”
 It is an allegorical drama
 1st product of modern Hebrew Literature
 It was written by Moses Hayyim Luzatto.
 “MOSES MENDELSSHON’S”
 Translation of the Hebrew Bible to German inspired interest in the Hebrew
Language that led to the founding of a quarterly review written in Hebrew.
 “SHIRE TIF’ERET” and “MOSIADE”
 Poems made by Nephtali Hirz and Wessely
b) 19th Century
 In 19th century Galicia, poets, scholars, and popular writers who
contributed to the discrimination of Hebrew and to the emancipation of the
Jews of Galicia included:
 Joseph Perl (1773 – 1839)
 Writer and educator who in 1819 published ‘Revealer of Secrets’ the first
Hebrew Novel.
 The book purports to be a collection of letters between various Hasidic
rabbis, but is actually a satire of their teachings.
 Nochman Krochmal (1785 – 1840)
 A philosopher, theologian, and historian
 He began the study of Talmud at an early age.
 He devoted himself to his studies, beginning with Maimonides’ The Guide
for the Perplexed and studying other Hebrew philosophical writings.
 Solomon Judah Loeb Rapoport (1790 – 1867)
 A rabbi, poet, and biographer
 After various experiences in business, Rapoport become rabbi of Tarnopol
(1837) and of Prague (1840)
 He was known by an acronym “Shir”, formed by the initial letters of his
Hebrews name Shelomo Yehuda Rapoport.
 Isaac Erter (1792 – 1841)
  A satirical poet whose collection of essays ‘Hatzofeh le – Bet Yisrael’ is
one of the purest works of modern Hebrew Literature, attacking Hasidic
superstitions and prejudices in a vigorous and classical style.
 Meir Halevy Letteris (1800 – 1871)
 A lyric poet also known for his adaptation of Goethe’s Faust into Hebrew.
- The greatest literature they have produced is embodied in the Bible and the Talmud.

2. Masterpiece of the Jews

 Suggested Pieces:
I. Genesis: The Creation
This account used to describe the seven days of creation:
- in the beginning - God started creation
- the first day - light was created
- the second day - the sky was created
- the third day - dry land, seas, plants and trees were created
- the fourth day - the Sun, Moon and stars were created
- the fifth day - creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created
- the sixth day - animals that live on the land and finally humans, made in the image of God were
created
- by day seven - God finished his work of creation and rested, making the seventh day a special
holy day.
II. Psalms 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with
thy rod; thy staff and me, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with
oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
III. The Ecclesiastes
- The book of Ecclesiastes is the author's response to Proverbs. From their perspective, life is
not as simple as fearing God and choosing wisdom. Life is fleeting and unpredictable and our
existence is a blip of time.
IV. The Story of Joseph
- The story of Joseph is found in the Book of Genesis, from Genesis 37 to Genesis 50. Joseph’s
saga is both expansive and integral to the overall narrative of the Israelites’ descent into
Egypt.
- His progression from dream-interpreting shepherd to minister of Egypt is one of the more
layered and elaborate stories in the Torah.
V. The Story of Ruth
- The book of Ruth is the narrative of love story, yet also has some important Genealogy. The
timeline of this book is intertwined during the period of the judges. It was written about
1046-2035 BC. Key personalities include Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz.
- Its purpose was to demonstrate the kind of love and faithfulness that God desires for us. It
shows the difference between what happens when a nation does not follow in obedience to
the covenant of God and when God’s people follow in faithfulness within the covenant.
VI. The Parables of the Good Samaritan
- The parable of the Good Samaritan is a didactic story told by Jesus in Luke 10:25-37. It is
about a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten and left half dead alongside the road. First
a priest and then a Levite comes by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by.
Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured man.
VII. The Last Seal
 - ‘Silence ion Heaven for half an hour’, this is the end of the seven times in the history of
redemption (the last seal), the completion of God’s plan for humanity in Christian
dispensation.

- It is the end of the story, when God puts a period to history. “Heaven is silent, but earth is
not.”
VIII. Prodigal Son
- In the story, a father has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance and after wasting
his fortune become destitute. He returns home with the intention of begging his father to be
one of his hired servants, expecting his relationship with his father is likely severed. The
father welcomes him back and celebrate his return.
IX. Parables of the Talents
- In Matthew 25:14-30 tells of a master who was leaving his house to travel, and before
leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. According to the abilities of each man, one
servant received five talents, the second servant received two talents, and the third servant
received one talent. The property entrusted to the three servants was worth eight talents.