Let my people know!

Abstract

The Hebrew Bible should be taught like a foreign language, argues Prof. Ghil‘ad Zuckermann, endorsing Avraham Ahuvia’s recently-launched translation of the Old Testament into what Zuckermann calls high-register “Israeli”. Tanakh RAM fulfills the mission of “red ’el ha‘am” not only in its Hebrew meaning (Go down to the people) but also – more importantly – in its Yiddish meaning (“red” meaning “speak!”, as opposed to its colorful communist sense). Ahuvia’s translation is most useful and dignified. Given its high register, however, I predict that the future promises consequent translations into more colloquial forms of Israeli, a beautifully multi-layered and intricately multi-sourced language, of which to be proud.