An Online Course with Dr. David Zev Moster
Ten Wednesdays: January 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 2025
2:00–3:30 p.m. ET

Biblical Hebrew I is also offered on Wednesday evenings from 7:00–8:30 p.m. ET.

Would you like to read the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) on your own without the need of a translation? In ten live online sessions, we will cover the “big ideas” in Biblical Hebrew to help you get started and dive into the fundamentals of grammar such as nouns, verbs, prefixes, and suffixes. The course will also introduce you to a variety of resources, including Accordance Bible software and Dr. Moster’s Tanakh Cards, to support your study.* Each session will consist of an instructor-led lesson followed by group workshopping of passages. Readings will be chosen from Proverbs, Psalms, the Megillot, and the weekly Torah portion. You will also be encouraged to complete a short translation assignment outside of class.

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Hebrew is required, meaning the ability to read words aloud and translate some of the most common words and phrases, e.g., וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (vayedabber mosheh el benei yisrael/Moses spoke to the Israelites).

Sessions will be recorded and recordings will be shared with registered participants who need to miss a session.

If you’re not sure whether this course is right for you or if you have additional questions, make an appointment to speak with Dr. David Moster, Director of Biblical Hebrew Instruction.

Cost: $415

Declare your candidacy for JTS’s Certificate in Biblical Hebrew and receive a 10 percent DISCOUNT on your first course. Candidates complete the four-course sequence and optional capstone project. By the conclusion of the program, you will be able to read and understand a book of the Bible from start to finish in the original Hebrew.

Learn about the Certificate in Biblical Hebrew

* A coupon will be provided for the purchase of Accordance Software at the discounted price of $50. The two Tanakh Cards are $15/each.

Dr. David Moster is the Director of Biblical Hebrew Instruction in the Center for Lifelong Learning at JTS and the director of the Institute of Biblical Culture, where he teaches Hebrew and creates YouTube videos for the general public. He is the author of Etrog: How a Chinese Fruit Became a Jewish Symbol (2018). He received his PhD from Bar-Ilan University, an MA from New York University and BA, MA, MS, and rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University