Queen Makedah

About Biblical Hebrew 101

The Biblical Hebrew 101 Course (Lashon HaKodesh) uses the Motzkin Biblical Hebrew textbook series to teach reading and comprehending the Hebrew Tehillim (psalms), Siddur prayers and Torah through using the primary texts themselves - Hebrew prayers like the Shema, Ashrei (Ps. 145), the Priestly Blessing and later actual passages from the Torah.   This will give a strong foundation to students who wish to pray, praise/worship in Hebrew, read, study and understand Torah in congregation or at home.  It will also support learning in modern conversational and more advanced Biblical Hebrew classes.

Calendar

Biblical Hebrew Classes meet Sunday mornings in for 2 twelve-week semesters from October 4, 2026 to May 31st, 2027.  

• 1ST SEMESTER is  October 4 -  December 20th.  Break for High Holy Days - Month of September 2026 (through the end of Succot 10/2).
• 2ND SEMESTER is January 10 - May 31st.  Spring Break/Passover holy day season - Month of April (preparation for finals).  

Class Times & Pacing

Biblical Hebrew 101 Alef - Sundays 10:30 am - 11:15 am EST

• Book I | Alef Isn’t Tough (1st Semester)
• Book II | Alef Isn’t Enough (2nd Semester)

Biblical Hebrew 101 Bet - Sundays from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm EST 

• Book III | Bet is for B’reshit (1st Semester)
• Book IV | Tav is for Torah (2nd Semester)

Learning Goals & Objectives (by book)

Book I | Alef Isn’t Tough 

Goals and objectives: 

1. Beginning students will learn how to pronounce Hebrew letters and vowels and the fundamental tools to read words - blending sounds and decoding Hebrew words - enabling them to begin recognizing biblical vocabulary and reading over thirty essential Hebrew blessings and prayers such as the Priestly Blessing (Nu. 6:24-26) and the Veyichulu (Genesis 2:1-3).  
2. More advanced students will use the course to review:

• Grammar rules of biblical Hebrew for more correct reading practice
• Reading fluency of excerpts from Tehillim, Torah and prayerbook excerpts
• Vocabulary - common Biblical Hebrew root words and vocabulary
• Writing practice - both block and script

Book II | Alef Isn’t Enough

Goals and objectives:  Students will continue reading practice and writing exercises using prayers from Torah and the Siddur.  Students will increase reading fluency,  comprehension, translation skills, root word recognition through other common Shabbat/Holy Day prayers, blessings, psalms such as the Shema (Dt. 6.4-9) and the Amidah (a prayer from 2nd Temple period).

• Build reading fluency and comprehension through alef-bet review
• Read common blessings and prayers for Shabbat/Holy Days
• Solidify reading ability 
• Writing block and script letters
• Enhance vocabulary learning 20 root words
• Increase familiarity with roots 
• Develop translation skills  
• Grammar rules

Book III | Bet is for B’reshit

Goals and objectives:  Linda Motzkin, in coordination with the URJ Hebrew Literary Task Force, uses her tried-and-true methods to build upon the knowledge developed in Books 1 and 2. Students will expand their grammar, vocabulary and comprehension by translating prayer books and biblical texts. Each chapter provides a range of different Torah texts for comparison. Extra enrichment material, such as commentary on the Torah selections, is provided as well.  This combination of exercises and stimulating content is the key to the success of this series. Bet Is for B'reishit challenges students to learn while providing interesting subject matter to keep them motivated. With additional resources like a full glossary, verb lists and grammar charts, Bet Is for B'reishit is the next step for any adult on the path to becoming Hebrew-literate.

• Read Biblical Hebrew passages & prayers with more fluency/ease
• Increase vocabulary for greater comprehension
• Learn basic grammar rules, sentence structure, parts of speech, root words, frequently used vocabulary
• Connect Biblical Hebrew to everyday conversation
• Translation of biblical text

Book IV | Tav is for Torah

Goals and objectives:  Tav Is for Torah picks up where Bet Is for B'reishit leaves off. In this fourth book in Linda Motzkin's Hebrew for Adults series, students will put all of the skills they have learned to use. Through translation exercises, students will expand their vocabulary and strengthen their grammar skills. Since the beginning, the Hebrew for Adults series has used prayer books and Torah texts to create fun and interesting activities. This has given the students not only a motivating way to learn Hebrew, but also a wealth of historical knowledge. Tav Is for Torah is designed to enable Hebrew-literature adults to become students of Torah.  

Tuition  

Tuition is $700 per year (with a 15% discount for early registration) or $350 per semester.  Students have the option to pay for tuition monthly or annually.  

• Monthly Tuition for all programs is $65/monthly for individuals for one calendar year via Patreon at www.patreon.com/queenmakedah, subscribing at the VIP GOLD level 
• Annual Tuition for all programs is $700 yearly with a 15% discount if paid before the start of fall classes. So, before October 1st, 2026, tuition costs are $600 for the academic year or $350 per semester.  
• Tuition can be paid a) at the instructor's Patreon site (select yearly vs. monthly), b) via PayPal (click here)  (Oriyah Music) or c) via Cash App to $queenmakedah.  (Email the instructor at morahmakedah@gmail.com for a Paypal invoice). 
• All Access Pass - Once enrolled, students will receive access to all courses: Ulpan Or Conversational Tutoring Program, Ulpan Or Modern Hebrew classes and/or Biblical Hebrew classes.  
• UPGRADE: For instructions on upgrading your Patreon account, visit this link here.

REGISTRATION:  Registration is open.