Not only that, but because religious Jews believe that the Hebrew Bible is the word of god (which makes the language itself holy) the ultra-orthodox position historically was that “modern Hebrew” is heretical. An example of why they think that is along these lines: ancient Hebrew did not have a concept for a “tie game in soccer” so modern Hebrew borrowed a term from the ancient language that essentially referred to a logical stalemate between the rabbis. Using that theological term for a frivolous activity is seen as a deliberate distortion of god’s holy language.
If by “speak Hebrew” to mean “converse in modern Hebrew” that’s exactly what I’m saying. If you mean it to mean “understand the Talmud” then it’s not exactly based but also not that great a personal failing (note, I am not an Orthodox Jew - the rabbis would disagree with that)
Not only that, but because religious Jews believe that the Hebrew Bible is the word of god (which makes the language itself holy) the ultra-orthodox position historically was that “modern Hebrew” is heretical. An example of why they think that is along these lines: ancient Hebrew did not have a concept for a “tie game in soccer” so modern Hebrew borrowed a term from the ancient language that essentially referred to a logical stalemate between the rabbis. Using that theological term for a frivolous activity is seen as a deliberate distortion of god’s holy language.
So you are saying that the fact I could never learn to speak Hebrew wasn't a personal failing? It was actually based? Nice!
If by “speak Hebrew” to mean “converse in modern Hebrew” that’s exactly what I’m saying. If you mean it to mean “understand the Talmud” then it’s not exactly based but also not that great a personal failing (note, I am not an Orthodox Jew - the rabbis would disagree with that)