Class Outline

Arabic language class

Week 1

Intro

Why Arabic? BDB dictionary, many connections, circular learning trajectory: Hebrew —> Arabic —> Hebrew.

My credentials: 4th year Arabic student, teacher as student, able to connect to Hebrew and the cultures.

Students’ advantage: 1. Familiarity with Hebrew (phonetic alphabet unlike English, right to left script, grammar and vocab on many levels; 2. Ability to pronounce the English th (both “that” and “think”), J, emphatic T…

The students’ role: attendance, work outside class, flexibility, helping me become a better teacher – this is a pilot class. I need your help to make this better.

Homework

Practice reading Hebrew Yemenite style.

Alif Baa – Chapter 1

Week 2

Dunash ben Lavrat etc

Dror Yikra

Week 3

Maimonides

Week 4

Arabic Jewish cantillation + music

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Elmer Berger’s travelog

————

Bibliiography

Maimonidean Studies Vol. 4, Yeshiva University
Main 181.06 M223
Ruth Ben Meir (Hebrew) on Ben Tibbon

Register for Class

During my rabbinic studies, I was fortunate to take several courses with Professor Rabbi Davis. He is deeply knowledgeable. His dynamic approach to each topic enlivened the classroom. The Hebrew language classes in particular instilled in me a rich appreciation for the language of our sacred texts and a desire to deepen my own knowledge.

Rabbi Charlene Brooks

Cong. Bene Shalom, Skokie Professor

I am thrilled to be part of Rava-Chicago led my seminary professor and friend, Professor Rabbi Michael Davis! In the style of my beloved teacher, Rabbi Goldhamer, Rava Chicago is providing a house of learning for anyone who comes with an open heart and mind, regardless of gender, race, physical ability, challenges, economic status or other barriers. I am excited to learn, connect and be part of a Jewish institution that will transmit the tradition to all who want to receive it. I look forward to all the new relationships that will emerge.

Rabbi Marcey Rosenbaum

Chaplain / v

Rabbi Michael Davis is a man of many talents, a thoughtful, compassionate communicator, and one of the most important interfaith voices we have today.

Jon M. Sweeney

Catholic author of The Pope Who Quit, optioned by HBO; co-author of Mixed-Up Love: Relationships, Family, and Religious Identity in the 21st Century

The “Arabic as a Jewish Language” course that Prof. Rabbi Michael Davis designed was engaging and enlightening. Combining a basic drilling in the fundamentals of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) while also teaching about the place of Arabic in Jewish thought, literature, and civilization was brilliant. Even though most of the Arabic in Jewish history has been Judeo-Arabic, with a different alphabet and lexicon, teaching about the connection with standard Arabic is essential for cross-cultural and interreligious understanding, reminding us just how deeply interconnected and inextricably intertwined our civilizations are. Those who take this course will never interact with Hebrew poetry or prose the same way—the connections and cross-influence are undeniable.

Jordan Friedman

Rabbinical Student / Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, Jerusalem, Israel

Professor Rabbi Michael Davis was my seminary professor. He is an engaging and entertaining teacher. Rabbi Davis brings ancient languages to life in ways both lyrical and musical.

Rivkah

student