| The Rural Education Administration English Department Website |
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Revival of the Hebrew LanguageHebrew is the language of Israel. Although it virtually ceased to be spoken around 200
CE at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple, it continued to be used by
Jews throughout the ages as the "sacred tongue" in liturgy, philosophy and
literature. In the late 19th century, it emerged as a modern cultural medium, becoming a
vital factor in the national revival movement which culminated in political Zionism. The
acquisition of Hebrew became a national goal; the slogan of the time was "Yehudi,
daber Ivrit" (Jew - speak Hebrew), an exhortation that was drilled into kindergarten
pupils, schoolchildren and adults alike. The British Mandate administration recognized
Hebrew as an official language, together with English and Arabic, and its use was adopted
by Jewish institutions and their educational networks. Hebrew press and literature
flourished with new generations of authors and readers, and today it is a rich, vibrant,
living tongue. From some 8,000 words in biblical times, Hebrew vocabulary has
expanded to more than 120,000 words. Its formal linguistic develop-ment is guided by the
Academy of the Hebrew Language (est. 1953).
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