The Living Language Hebrew iPad and iPhone apps are now available. Here are 5 excellent reasons to download and get started speaking be’ivrit today.
1) Did you know that Hebrew is the only ancient language still spoken today? Master it and you will be on your way to decoding archaeological relics, maps and artifacts in museums around the globe (impressing friends and travel companions!)
2) Hebrew is a sister language of Arabic. Both are members of the Semitic family of languages, sharing with Hebrew a large number of words, a right-to-left alphabet, and many similar grammatical structures.
3) Hebrew literature begins with Biblical texts but spans thousands of years. Begin with some Modern Hebrew literature in translation and work your way to reading it in Hebrew. Read the world’s best-selling book, The Bible in its original form! Some modern day literary notables include: Hayim Nachman Bialik, S.Y. Agnon, Yehuda Amichai, A.B. Yehoshua and Leah Goldberg
4) Sing along with Israeli music! Israel has participated in 36 Eurovision Song Contests since 1973, winning 3 times since then. Today, Israeli music ranges in styles and forms from traditional to punk to heavy metal. To understand the transformation of the modern Israeli identity, look to the diversity of its music!
5) Order a falafel Be’ivrit (in Hebrew) and impress your dinner date! Extra bonus for knowing how to add in some french fries: im chipsim, bevakasha, an Israeli gastronomic touch.
