Advice for teachers -
Classical
Hebrew

Detailed example

Comparing Biblical and Mishnaic Hebrew

Mishnaic Hebrew developed from Biblical Hebrew and reflects the influence of the Aramaic language that most Jews were speaking during the Second Temple Era. This was as a result of the exile and disbursement of the Jewish people from the land of Judea at the end of the First Temple Era and in the seventy years between the first and second Temples.

Some of these key grammatical differences include:

1. Using the above chart, identify the words in the extract below that reflect the Aramaic influence seen in Mishnaic Hebrew.
2. Write the words you have identified and next to each one, write the word as it might appear in Biblical Hebrew.
3. Identify which rule applied.

Detailed example

Researching the background of the Mishna

Go to MishQuest and use the information on that webpage to answer the following questions:

1. What is the root of the word ‘Mishna’ and what does it tell you about the way in which it was originally learned?
2. What did the word ‘tanna’ originally mean and what did it later come to mean?
3. Most of the teachings of the Mishna can be attributed to sages who lived during which years?
4. On the webpage, the Mishnaic era is divided into four generations. For each generation list:
• the main place where the sages of that generation lived
• one major rabbinical sage from that generation
• one major event that occurred during that generation.
5. Describe the process of the redaction of the Mishna.
   
6. Who redacted the Mishna? What position did he hold? By what three titles was he known?
   
7. In general, what kind of matters does the Mishna discuss?
8. List the name of each of the Orders (s’darim) of the Mishna and the topic that is discussed in each Order.
9. Which ‘literary structures’ does the Mishna use and when does it use each particular structure?
   
10. Who are some of the commentators on the Mishna? What is the aim, purpose or focus of these commentaries?

Detailed example

Development of the Oral Tradition

This activity focuses on answering the following Essential Question: How have the Jewish people sustained their values in ever-changing societies?

In this activity you will explore how Jewish traditions have been maintained and how some have evolved over the course of history. You will explore the contribution of successive Classical Hebrew texts towards the understanding of particular traditions, laws or rituals of your choice.

A: Create a presentation that shows the development and progression of your chosen topic through the ages and through successive Classical texts. Picture, graphics and video clips should be used where appropriate.

In your presentation, include responses to the following questions:

1. What is the original source of your chosen practice?
2. What is the significance of this practice?
3. How has this practice changed or developed over time since its inception?
4. How have historical developments impacted on the transmission of this practice?
5. Which written works deal with this practice?
6. How have the authors of the identified written works added to the understanding of this practice?

B: Submit a personal reflection after considering the questions below.

1. What have you learned about how laws and rituals are maintained?
2. How do we know what we value?
3. How do we transmit what we value?
4. How do we best remember what we have learned?