Two Jews, three opinions. A Jew on a deserted island builds two synagogues—one for worship and one never to step into. This humorous trope about Jewish differences often underscores a painful truth: we frequently highlight divisions rather than celebrating what unites us. This pattern is not new. Jewish history is rife with stories of disunity, from the Talmud’s attribution of the Second Temple’s destruction to senseless hatred to theological rifts between denominational movements. These divisions are harmful, particularly now, as antisemitism rises globally and Israel faces ongoing conflicts.
What lessons from our past might guide us toward greater unity? The life and work of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda (1858–1922) offer a compelling example. Born Eliezer Yitzhak Perlam into a traditional Eastern European Chasidic family, Ben-Yehuda left behind his upbringing to spearhead the revival of Hebrew as a spoken language. His efforts paralleled the emerging Zionist movement, which sought to reestablish the Jewish homeland, ensure self-rule, and renew Jewish culture. Ben-Yehuda believed that two elements were essential for the Jewish future, writing prior to his departure for Israel, “There are two things without which the Jews will not be a nation—their land and their language.”
Despite skepticism—even Theodor Herzl dismissed Ben-Yehuda’s linguistic vision as “ridiculous” in 1898—he remained steadfast. Upon arrival, he began transforming Hebrew from a written, sacred language with millennia of historical layers into a modern, spoken vernacular. His groundbreaking work included creating a lexicon to adapt Hebrew for contemporary life and the formation of a Language Committee that expanded his efforts, coining new words, and promoting Hebrew education. Starting with his own children, to whom he only spoke Hebrew, Ben-Yehuda’s vision grew into a movement. Supporters would shout “Rak Ivrit!” (“Only Hebrew!”) or hang posters declaring “Ivri – Daber Ivrit!” (“Hebrew/Jew – Speak Hebrew!”) to encourage others to adopt the language.
By the early 20th century, Hebrew had achieved significant recognition, becoming one of the three official languages under British Mandate governance alongside Arabic and English. Today, over ten million people speak Hebrew, with more than half of the world’s Jewish kindergarteners knowing it as their first language. For Hebrew speakers, this shared language forms a powerful bond, connecting individuals across borders and generations. Whether in Israel or the Diaspora, Hebrew serves as a bridge, providing a shared vocabulary and cultural framework that transcends differences. At global Jewish gatherings, even as English often dominates, Hebrew remains a symbol of unity and identity. But it can be much more.
This January 21 is the 21st of Tevet, marking 167 years since Ben-Yehuda’s birth, a day celebrated in Israel as Hebrew Language Day. It is a time to make this a global Jewish holiday, honoring his vision and embracing Hebrew as a unifying force. It is also time for us to focus more resources on strengthening Hebrew language education in the Jewish community. While Hebrew at the Center works year-round to carry out these goals, we urge all of our fellow partners in Global Jewry and every Jewish community to join us – celebrate Hebrew language day and ensure resources are priorities that will leverage Hebrew as a tool for strengthening Jewish identity and global connection. By doing so, we will all be working together to achieve Global Jewry’s mission connecting and strengthening the Jewish people, regardless of native language. And by integrating Hebrew into our daily lives, we enrich ourselves, strengthen our communities, and honor the legacy of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda.
May this be the week the hostages finally return home and the devastating fires in California come under control.
Shabbat shalom,
Andrew
Rabbi Andrew Ergas, EdD, is the CEO of Hebrew at the Center, a member of the Global Jewry Advisory Board, and a lifelong lover of the Hebrew language. To learn more about the organization and its work, or to discuss opportunities to consider how Hebrew can advance your organization’s mission, reach out to Rabbi Ergas at andrewe@hebrewatthecenter.org or visit the website.
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