So... You Want to Learn Hebrew - Step 1

One of the steps to Learning the Truth for the Christian is to go back to the Source. The Source of the information that has led to the basis of our religion is the Hebrew language. It is at the Source that we find Love, Loyalty, Faith, Belief, Values and Ethics. In the beginning, the information was relayed as verbal stories and data. The Hebrew language was documented as simple characters that are very similar to cave drawings. This hub, however, is not going to focus on the past. In this hub, we will review the letters of the alephbet and the basics on understanding the meaning of each letter. If your goal is to translate and get the same result as you find in the Bible you use, this is not the hub for you. The goal of the translation from the information in this hub is to give you the basis for allowing God to Speak to you through the Scriptures. Your translation should give you a personalized Message from God. For me, the process of translating the Scripture is not to sit down and read it across like you read a book. It is a process that requires the commitment of time, focusing on what the Ruach Ha Kodesh Guides you to write. As you work through the process, it is virtually as if a hidden world has been opened up before your eyes. There is a Love that sweeps over you and Protects you as you seek the Truth.

The first step is to gather resources from which you will learn the basics of the Hebrew alephbet. There are many resources to help you with this. It is my contention that memorizing the aspects of the alephbet deters you from the spontaneity and innocence of translating the verses. My suggestion for resources to get you started would be:

• a chart of the Hebrew letters with simple description of what each letter means
• a Hebrew to English dictionary that is itemized by letter not sound
• a Tanakh or Chumash for verifying the Hebrew version of each Scripture
• a transliterated version of the Bible
• a notebook for jotting down the things you Learn and your thoughts
• a magnifying glass!

When God Led me to study the Hebrew, I was living in Georgia. I was like a starved child! I couldn’t get enough information on the Hebrew and the Jewish traditions. This aspect of my character has not changed! The Knowledge of the Judaism has enhanced and reinforced my Christianity as nothing else could on this earth. This history and Knowledge is a part of Yeshua, Himself. Forever, I crave God’s Voice in the information He provides to me. Local libraries will have books on anything from the Hebrew to traditions to prayers. Your area Messianic congregation will have Knowledge of the traditions and Hebrew if they are willing to Share. You will be surprised at how easy and prolific the information is once you begin your search. Each person must venture out on this search on their own. It is all well and good to work together to get information, but the final Results and Depth of Reward will be for each individual.

After obtaining the basics, God Led me back to Washington State. On a trip across the bay on the foot ferry from Port Orchard to Bremerton, I met a young man who was intently studying the Seder. The Seder is the “hymnal” for the Jewish Sabbath and other ceremonies. I sat down next to him and asked where he had gotten the Seder. He described a Messianic congregation that he loved, but couldn’t attend anymore. The next Saturday, I went to the Sabbath at the Messianic congregation. Although I was never really accepted by the congregation, they will never Realize what they did for me. God’s Gift to me in that congregation was Spiritual friends, a deeper Understanding of the Scriptures and how to Look at them, a view of what my religion should have provided to me and didn’t as far as Fellowship and the Caring for one another.

May God Bless your Endeavors as you begin your Search for the Truth. Hope to see you in Step 2 after you've gathered some "equipment"!