← Ruth

Living Hebrew

Everyday Hebrew for life in a Jewish community — greetings, numbers, family, and the words around the Shabbat table. Short dialogues you can actually use. Many of these words you already know from prayer.

1. Getting acquainted

אHello and how are youTwo people meet outside the synagogue. · 9 words

2. Numbers

אCounting to tenCounting people for a minyan — the quorum of ten. · 12 words

3. Family

אThis is my familyShowing a photo at the Shabbat table. · 11 words

4. At the Shabbat table

אAt the Shabbat tableArriving as a guest for Friday-night dinner. · 9 words

5. At the synagogue

אAt the synagogueA first time in the sanctuary — who's who, and what's where. · 8 words

6. Out and about

אOut and aboutLost on the street — asking for directions, and for a little patience. · 10 words

7. Days & time

אDays & timeWorking out the week — today, tomorrow, and when Shabbat comes. · 8 words

8. Food & blessings

אFood & blessingsAt the table — matching each food to the blessing it takes. · 8 words

9. A Jewish morning

אGood morningTwo people greet each other first thing in the morning. · 6 words

10. Meeting people

אMeeting someone newTwo people introduce themselves at a community event. · 6 words

11. At the shop

אAt the marketBuying fruit at the market stall. · 7 words

12. Invitations

אCome for ShabbatInviting a friend to Friday-night dinner. · 6 words
שPutting words togetherTo a man or a woman, verbs in the present, building a sentence — gentle, unscored.

Modern Hebrew is normally written without vowel marks. Inside each lesson you can hide the vowels to see the words as you'll really meet them.