Description

Learn Biblical Hebrew the Right Way Based on 3,300 Years of Jewish Scholarship

The Hebrew Root Dictionary offers an unparalleled gateway into the language of the Bible, grounded in an unbroken tradition of Jewish scholarship spanning over three millennia. Designed to deepen your understanding of the Hebrew Bible, this essential resource defines Hebrew words with clarity and depth, drawing directly from the insights of the historical Jewish sages.

A Treasury of Hebrew Wisdom

Each Hebrew root is explored through multiple definitions, reflecting the teachings of Jewish commentaries from antiquity to the modern era. The dictionary provides access to the indigenous understanding of the language as spoken by the Hebrew Prophets themselves. With the guidance of classical commentators such as:

• Talmud: Rabbinic discussions offering linguistic, legal, and moral insights into Hebrew words.
• Midrash: Rabbinic commentaries exploring deeper, often allegorical meanings of biblical texts.
• Rashi: Clear and concise commentary focusing on Hebrew roots and biblical narratives.
• Maimonides (Rambam): Philosophical interpretations of Hebrew terms and their significance.
• Ibn Ezra: Grammatical expert focusing on the plain meaning (peshat) of texts.
• Radak: Author of Sefer HaShorashim, a critical work on Hebrew roots.
• Nachmanides (Ramban): Commentary integrating mystical and rational meanings of words.
• Targum Onkelos: Aramaic translation of the Torah providing interpretive insights.
• Kuzari: Highlights Hebrew as the divine language of revelation.
• Rav Hirsch: Etymological analysis linking Hebrew words to ethical concepts..

Features and Benefits

• Root-Based Organization: Discover the foundational structure of Hebrew through roots, the building blocks of the language.
• Multi-Faceted Definitions: Gain nuanced insights into each root, reflecting its definitions from multiple authorities.
• Authentic Tradition: Learn from the same sources that have guided Torah scholars for centuries.
• Universal Appeal: Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned student of Hebrew, this dictionary is an indispensable tool for your biblical studies.

Intellectual History
The appendix of the Hebrew Root Dictionary: Third Edition offers a Brief Intellectual History of Jewish Scholarship, summarizing key periods:

1. Biblical Period: The revelation of Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, Writings) as the foundation of Jewish law, wisdom, and tradition.
2. Talmudic Period: Development of the Talmud, preserving oral traditions and Jewish law.
3. Medieval Scholarship: Contributions from scholars like Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Maimonides in commentary, philosophy, and law.
4. Philosophy and Mysticism: Integration of rationalism and Kabbalah during the Golden Age of Spain.
5. Modern Era: Advances in linguistic and historical analysis influencing contemporary biblical studies.

This section contextualizes the dictionary’s sources within the broader history of Jewish thought.

About the Author

Rabbi Nahorai Kotkin is a career educator and the Chief Translating Officer for Bible4Community. Ordained at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and by Rav Ephraim Greenblatt zt”l, Rabbi Kotkin has dedicated over a decade to teaching people of all ages and backgrounds about the Bible’s linguistic and theological nuances. His work bridges the ancient wisdom of Rabbinic tradition with the needs of modern biblical students, making complex ideas accessible and inspiring.