Questions Our Students Ask:
Why do we pray in Hebrew?
Throughout the long history of the Jews, even when we spoke German or Arabic or English, we have prayed and studied in Hebrew. Praying in Hebrew connects us to all the Jews – past, present, and future, as well as the Jews in Austin, in Israel, and all over the world.
Why do we read Torah in Hebrew?
Torah scrolls contain stories, history, law, and other lessons – all written carefully and beautifully in Hebrew script. All over the world, each week, Jews are reading Torah according to the traditions that stem from the times of Ezra and Nehemiah. The public reading of Torah in Hebrew has persisted through all kinds of transitions and troubles. Our ancestors fought for the freedom to read Torah in Hebrew as a community. We are blessed to celebrate our history, our freedom, and our language.
Will I learn to speak Hebrew fluently in Hebrew School?
The simple answer is No. As you know from your other language classes, studying only 40 hours per year can’t teach you to speak any language fluently.
On the other hand….If a student attends at least 80% of Hebrew classes each year for four years AND attends Shabbat services, then that student will probably be able to read the Shabbat prayers aloud – understanding the basic meaning of each prayer.
Why am I supposed to have a siddur (prayerbook) at home?
Education is Repetition. Education is Repetition. The best way to learn the prayers is to study regularly. We recommend reading aloud from the siddur for at least 10 minutes a day at least 4 days of every week. The prayerbook can teach more than just Hebrew. The prayerbook is a also great source for texts about Jewish values.
Why do we have tefillah (prayer services) on Sundays?
Traditionally, Judaism expects us to pray every day, three times per day.
Additionally, praying together during Sunday School fills a number of important educational goals.
1. We celebrate as a community.
2. Praying every week helps students learn and remember the prayers.
3. Each week we learn more about each prayer, the prayer service, and the concept of prayer.
4. Students become increasingly more comfortable with the choreography (the movements) and the setting of the prayer service – as well as with the siddur (prayerbook) and the various melodies and chants of each prayer.
5. We teach many kinds of learners each week. Attending services is a different kind of learning from sitting in a small group in a classroom. Hopefully, we can reach different learners or different parts of each learner by praying together.
6. Students pray with their teachers and role models. Students see that praying – just like learning – doesn’t stop after someone becomes bar or bat mitzvah. Also, students see that no one is ‘too cool’ to pray.
7. Children are naturally ‘spiritual,’ but daily life isn’t necessarily spiritual. Tefillah during Sunday School provides the opportunity for all of us to experience spirituality.