The Power of Words. On Jewish Languages

The Power of Words tells a story of Jewish languages and their role in the life of Jewish communities. Hebrew is at the core of this story—an ancient language of sacred texts and a modern language. As Jews migrated and settled in different countries, they developed new languages and dialects, always in a dialogue with Hebrew and the languages of the environment. Jewish communities were typically multilingual, which fostered a particular sensitivity to linguistic issues.

The history of Jewish languages is a tale of both diversity and cultural continuity. New Jewish languages were written in the Hebrew alphabet and contained elements of the old ones. That way, none of the old languages truly died, transformed into a vital component of the next. This story shows deep attachment to the alphabet and profound respect for the language. It encourages reflection on the role and evolution of languages in the past and today.