If Jesus spoke Aramaic like the rest of the Jews in ancient times, where did Hebrew come from and why do random Israelis speak Hebrew?

 Certainly! Let’s explore the fascinating origins of Hebrew and the reasons behind its revival as a spoken language in modern Israel.

1. **Ancient Hebrew:

   • Biblical Hebrew, also known as Classical Hebrew, was the language used in ancient times. It is the language in which most of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is written.
   • The oldest form of Hebrew is found in biblical poems, such as the “Song of Deborah” in the book of Judges. These texts date back to around the 3rd century BCE.
   • During this period, Hebrew exhibited little dialectal variety, but there were some variations based on geography.
   • Hebrew borrowed words from other Canaanite languages and even a few from Sumerian via Akkadian.

2. **Mishnaic Hebrew (Rabbinic Hebrew)**:

   • Around 200 CE, a new form of Hebrew emerged called Mishnaic Hebrew. It was the language of the Mishna, a collection of Jewish traditions.
   • However, Mishnaic Hebrew was never used as a spoken language among the people. Instead, it served as a liturgical and literary language.

3. Medieval Hebrew:

   • From the 6th to the 13th century CE, Hebrew continued to evolve. During this period, many words were borrowed from Greek, Spanish, Arabic, and other languages.
   • Despite these influences, Medieval Hebrew remained primarily a written and scholarly language.

4. Modern Hebrew:

   • The most significant transformation occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries.
   • Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, a visionary linguist, spearheaded the revival of Hebrew as a spoken language.
   • Here’s why random Israelis now speak Hebrew:
     • Zionist Movement: As part of the Zionist movement, there was a strong desire to create a national identity for Jews returning to their ancestral homeland.
     • Language Revival: Ben-Yehuda believed that reviving Hebrew as a spoken language was crucial for this purpose. He worked tirelessly to promote its use.
     • Immigration: Jews from various countries immigrated to Palestine (later Israel). They needed a common language to communicate.
     • Daily Life: Hebrew was gradually reintroduced into daily life—schools, newspapers, literature, and conversation.
     • Independence: When Israel became an independent state in 1948, Hebrew was already firmly established as the official language.

5. Arabic in Israel:

   • Israeli Arabs (Arab citizens of Israel) mostly speak Hebrew very well, except perhaps in East Jerusalem.
   • Conversely, a fair number of Israeli Jews can speak Arabic, but it is far from the majority.
   • In Jerusalem, Arabs often speak excellent Hebrew, and it’s sometimes challenging to distinguish between Jews and Arabs based on appearance alone.
   • The situation has evolved over time, and language dynamics continue to shape interactions in this complex region.

In summary, Hebrew’s revival as a spoken language in Israel is a remarkable achievement, bridging ancient traditions with modern life. It serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of language and culture. 🇮🇱📜