The often-told story of the Hebrew language is that it was “brought back from the dead” in the late 19th century, in conjunction with the rise of Zionism. But with very few (if any) other examples of successful language revival around the world, it is worth re-examining whether that is indeed what happened to Hebrew: was it really dead in the Middle Ages? What did it take to “revive” it? And what makes its history so unique?

In this lecture, we’ll examine those provocative questions from a scientific perspective, while challenging ideological tenets often held by both Jewish and non-Jewish commentators. We will explore how the knowledge gained from modern speech-and-language sciences can help us understand the controversial history of the Jews and of their holy language.

The lecture presupposes no knowledge of linguistics or Hebrew.

This lecture takes place virtually via Zoom.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.