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The Legendary Mosquito of Hebrew: יַתּוּשׁ or יְתוּשׁ?
Ever argued over how to say “mosquito” in Hebrew? Is it יַתּוּשׁ or יְתוּשׁ? Turns out, the debate goes back centuries. The word יתוש...
The UAB Team
6 days ago2 min read
From Cities of Refuge to Bomb Shelters in Tel Aviv:The Long, Twisted History of the מקלט
Where does the word מקלט (shelter) come from—and when did we even start building ממ"דים ? Surprisingly, in the literature of the Sages,...
The UAB Team
Aug 53 min read
From Frozen Manna to Modern Dessert: The Chilly Origins of גלידה
Is the Hebrew word גלידה connected to the Italian gelato ? It certainly sounds similar—but the real story starts not in Rome, but in the...
The UAB Team
Jul 312 min read
Perek אחד עשר or אחת עשרה? Why Both Are Correct – and Not the Same
Ever stumbled trying to say a chapter number in Hebrew? You’re not alone—and here’s the twist: both “פרק אחד עשר” and “פרק אחת עשרה” are...
The UAB Team
Jul 132 min read
“Shalom Uveracha”: How Did People Really Speak in Israel 100 Years Ago?
A new project by the Academy of the Hebrew Language seeks to trace the evolution of Hebrew expression during the revival period of the...
The UAB Team
Jul 84 min read
From Flow to Routine: The Story Behind שִׁגְרָה
The Hebrew word שִׁגְרָה is commonly used to describe the usual, regular order of things—what we might call a routine . It’s often...
The UAB Team
Jun 302 min read
Is It Okay to Say ביחד and בחינם?
People often ask us: what's correct— יחד or ביחד , חינם or בחינם ? The answer is: both! All of these forms are valid and documented in...
The UAB Team
Jun 252 min read
From Scroll to Screen: The Many Lives of the סֵפֶר
What do you picture when you hear the word סֵפֶר ? For most of us, it's a printed book: bound pages, a cover, something you can place on...
The UAB Team
Jun 183 min read
The Tiny Words That Make Hebrew Tick: Why You Need to Master Prepositions (Yes, Those!)
Let’s be real: when you decided to learn Hebrew, you probably didn’t dream about… prepositions. They’re small. They’re sneaky. They’re...
The UAB Team
Jun 92 min read
First Fruits, First Rights, First Place: What Hebrew Really Says About Being First
Title: On Shavuot , also known as יום הביכורים (Numbers 28:26), people would bring ביכורי קציר חיטים (Exodus 34:22) to the Temple—the...
The UAB Team
May 283 min read
Why You Must Learn to Write in Script Hebrew (Yes, Even in 2025)
Let’s be blunt: if you’re serious about Hebrew, you can’t just read it and speak it—you need to write it too. And no, typing in block...
The UAB Team
May 272 min read
“Yes You Can?” — The Wild Grammar Life of יכול
If you thought the verb יכול (to be able to) was straightforward, think again. This seemingly innocent verb hides a whole bunch of...
The UAB Team
May 183 min read
Why We Insist on Exams at UAB — and Why That’s a Good Thing
Let’s be honest: the word exam doesn’t exactly inspire joy. For many adult learners, especially those from North America, exams bring...
The UAB Team
May 133 min read
From "Medinah" to "Medinah"
The Journey of One Hebrew Word – From the Bible to Modern Israel "Medinah uMedinah kichtavah, ve’am va’am kilshono" ("Each province in...
The UAB Team
May 24 min read
Why Is Plato Called 'אפלטון' in Hebrew?
How an 'אל"ף' Found Its Way Into Words Throughout History. In certain Hebrew and foreign words, you might notice an 'אל"ף' at the...
The UAB Team
Apr 282 min read
What to Look for in a Language Learning Program
Choosing the right language learning program can be a pivotal step in achieving fluency. With numerous options available, it is crucial...
The UAB Team
Apr 224 min read
Short and Sweet: The Role of Abbreviations in Hebrew
From Ancient Texts to Modern Slang, How Hebrew Loves to Keep It Short The Use of Abbreviations in Hebrew The use of abbreviations has...
The UAB Team
Apr 33 min read
"Why Do You Need Exams to Learn Hebrew?"
Why UAB Values Language Exams: A Unique Approach to Learning Hebrew Understanding the Purpose of Exams at UAB Most private ulpans, and...
The UAB Team
Mar 253 min read
The Academy of the Hebrew Language’s Word of the Year: חטופים
Runner-up: גבורה. In third place: הותר לפרסום. The most suggested word, הפקרה, was disqualified to avoid “political clashes.” Other...
The UAB Team
Mar 63 min read
Jews Started Using Punctuation Late—And It Was Kind of a Mess
Why Is a Period Called That, When Did Spaces Appear, and Where Did the Comma Come From? A Look at Hebrew Punctuation History We tend to...
The UAB Team
Feb 103 min read
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