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Last update - 12:59 12/11/2007 The Holy Language Tags: Herzl, Israel, Shimon Peres In order to maintain our identity, we pray, throughout the world, in Hebrew, and in order to maintain our modernity, we use English. "There is just one serious matter in life," remarked a great philosopher of the 20th century, Ludwig Wittgenstein, "and that is the use and the misuse of language." I recalled this remark when I participated, a while ago, in the 120th anniversary of the first Hebrew school in Israel, which was founded in Rishon Le Zion. One of the most famous teachers at the school, Eliezer Ben Yehuda, had insisted that in Israel there would be only one language, Hebrew. Theodor Herzl did not pay much attention to "issues of the tongue." He thought that it may be possible to adopt the Swiss model and speak several languages. Advertisement In fact, during Herzl's time, the Jewish people used several languages: Those in Eastern Europe used Hebrew as the holy language and Yiddish as the daily one, while in other parts of the world Ladino was used as the spoken language. When asked why two and not one language, the answer was rather humorous: "We need the holy language with which to praise the Lord and the secular Yiddish with which to argue with him..." In the first years of the State of Israel's existence, there was a strong demand that the Jewish people in Israel will speak Yiddish as well. Some unfortunate Yemenite immigrants were forced to study Yiddish... Fortunately, this idea was rejected. Today, with the dramatic change of distribution of the Jewish people - half of them living in Israel, while the other half scattered throughout the world, with the most significant representation in the U.S., we are once more using two languages, only this time it is Hebrew and English. Those who live outside of Israel, and who speak the internationally accepted English, do not necessarily speak Hebrew, yet they may pray in the holy language. On the other hand, almost all Israelis speak English. English has, in fact, become the language of science and of the Internet. "Yes, the identity is the space and not the fence or the sword," wrote the great Arab poet, Adonis. In order to maintain our identity, we pray, throughout the world, in Hebrew, and in order to maintain our modernity, we use English. That is the secret of Judaism today - to be simultaneously as ancient as the tongue of the Ten Commandments and as modern as the Internet. Related links: Jewish World news and features On Kabbalah pilgrimage, pop icon Madonna meets Peres U.S. media mogul Ted Turner calls Peres 'beacon of hope' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Religious pressure Tel Aviv supermarket chain agrees gradual Shabbat closure. Overgenerous diplomacy UN envoy: Israel has given Syria a 'huge gift' for free.

Read & React UN envoy: Israel has given Syria a 'huge gift' for free Responses: 121 Nazi sheltered by Austria as too ill for trial, seen enjoying Euro 2008 Responses: 94 IAF kills 6 in Gaza strikes, including gunmen linked to Shalit kidnap Responses: 95 Israeli sources: Hezbollah deal possible next week Responses: 60 UN official who compared Israel to Nazis turns spotlight on Palestinians Responses: 58 Rosner's Domain Guests: Weak relationship between later marriage and intermarriage To Republicans Iran's a threat, to Democrats not so much (WTR) Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Poll: Cease fire in Gaza is an achievement for... Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran More Headlines 21:55 Barak: It is too early to declare calm in Gaza 21:19 IAF Gaza strikes kill 6 including gunmen linked to Shalit kidnap 21:58 Will Olmert and Assad be sitting together at the same table? 19:46 Israeli Arab jailed for 17 years for driving suicide bomber 19:09 Right-wing activist pours boiling water on Meretz MKs in Hebron 23:01 Will next U.S. Congress top current record number of Jewish lawmakers? 19:34 Sex and the Old City / Star of hit TV show Kristin Davis makes first visit to Jerusalem 22:22 Poll: Ashkenazi Israelis more content with their wages than Sephardis 16:09 Report: U.S. urges Israeli pullout from disputed Golan area 20:01 WJC president urges Poland to compensate Holocaust victims 12:54 Bowing to religious pressure, Tel Aviv supermarket chain agrees gradual Shabbat closure 13:06 Israel Police arrest settlers for assault on Palestinian farmers 17:18 Tourism to Israel breaks all-time record in May Previous Editions Select Day 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun

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