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Musical NotesJanuary 2003From the Desk of Marjorie HochbergIn approximately 250 BCE, King Ptolemy of Philadelphus, the Greek ruler of Egypt, commissioned the translation of the Torah from Hebrew to Greek. According to legend, seventy Hebrew scholars were sequestered in 70 separate rooms to translate the text, and at the end of their labors, all 70 translations were identical to the last word. Their labors were concluded during this Hebrew month, the 8th of Tevet. This legend was so widely accepted that this first translation from Hebrew to Greek was named "Septuagint," meaning "seventy." While at first, this accomplishment was a cause for celebration, rabbis three hundred years later made the 8th of Tevet a fast day, mourning the fact that the Greek translation of the Torah was not accurate in every respect, and that it was being used by early Christians to convert Greek-speaking Gentiles to Christianity. As modern and liberal Jews, we are used to having the Torah, the Gates of Prayer, and most other Jewish texts translated into our first language: English. We consider it a benefit, if not a right, of our Reform tradition, and many of us have learned to appreciate and even prefer the texts we read to be in English. So, why learn Hebrew? Who cares, when we can read everything in translation anyway? Looking "Back to the Future," the Reform movement increasingly embraces a more traditional view of Jewish practices, scholarshilp, including the use of the Hebrew language. In part, that is because we have come to appreciate the spiritual dimensions of traditional practices like participating in Shiva minyans, building our own Sukkot, or saying the Birkat ha-Mazon after meals. In part, that is because living at a time and in a place where Jews enjoy peace, security and safely as never before, we have the luxury to choose to be really Jewish, and that means having access to the language that unites our people all over the world and throughout time. This month, you have the opportunity to begin the journey toward Hebrew literacy with one of two Hebrew Marathons! The Hebrew Marathon is an intensive Hebrew class that teaches one how to read the Hebrew alphabet in 8 hours or less; approximately four hours on Sunday afternoon and about three and a half hours on Sunday evening. I will be teaching a Hebrew Marathon at the Temple on Sunday, January 12th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, concluding Monday, January 13th from 6:00pm to 9:30 pm. I am teaching a second Marathon at the Jewish Life Center at the Foothills Mall on Sunday, January 26th from 1:00-5:00 pm, concluding Monday, January 27th from 6:00 to 9:30 pm. The Marathons are really fun, and they really work! You can learn to read Hebrew in 8 hours. To register for either Marathon, return the registration form on the flyer in this bulletin, or call the Temple office at 327-4501. See you there!
Marjorie Hochberg |
