Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, Belarusian lexicographer and journalist (d. 1922)

Eliezer Ben-Yehuda (Hebrew: אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֵּן־יְהוּדָה‬; pronounced [ʔeliˈʕezer ben jehuˈda]), born Eliezer Yitzhak Perlman on January 7, 1858, in Luzhky, Russian Empire, and passing on December 16, 1922, in Jerusalem, was a pivotal figure in the history of the Jewish people and the Hebrew language. He is widely recognized as the principal architect and driving force behind the revival of Hebrew as a modern, spoken language, transforming it from a revered sacred and scholarly tongue into a vibrant vernacular for daily life. His visionary efforts laid the foundation for the Hebrew spoken by millions today, earning him the title of the "father of modern Hebrew."

Ben-Yehuda’s monumental linguistic contributions cemented his enduring legacy. He served as the pioneering lexicographer of the first-ever comprehensive modern Hebrew dictionary, a colossal undertaking known as "A Complete Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew" (המילון המקיף ללשון העברית הישנה והחדשה). This ambitious project, which he initiated in 1908 and tirelessly worked on for decades, eventually spanned 17 volumes. It systematically documented thousands of words, meticulously bridging biblical, mishnaic, and rabbinic Hebrew with newly coined terms essential to articulate modern concepts. Ben-Yehuda personally introduced thousands of neologisms, providing the essential linguistic tools that allowed for the development of a complex, contemporary society.

Beyond his lexicographical efforts, Ben-Yehuda was also a prominent journalist and influential editor. Upon his immigration to Jerusalem in 1881, he founded and edited HaZvi (The Deer), one of the earliest and most significant Hebrew newspapers in the Land of Israel (then under Ottoman rule, often historically referred to as Palestine). Launched in 1884, HaZvi quickly became a critical platform for disseminating Zionist ideas, advocating for the widespread use of Hebrew in all aspects of daily life, and fostering a strong sense of national identity among the Jewish population. Through its pages, he actively campaigned for a unified Hebrew-speaking community, demonstrating the language's practicality and versatility in everyday discourse.

His fervent belief was that a nation needed a common, living language to truly thrive and express its unique culture. To exemplify and promote this, he famously made a radical personal commitment: he and his wife, Devorah, vowed to speak only Hebrew at home, raising their son, Itamar Ben-Avi, as the first native Hebrew speaker in nearly two millennia. This pioneering commitment extended to educational endeavors, where he tirelessly championed the teaching of Hebrew as a spoken language in schools, not merely as a subject of study. His relentless advocacy led to the establishment of the Va'ad HaLashon (Language Committee) in 1890, an institution dedicated to guiding the development and standardization of modern Hebrew, which later evolved into the prestigious Academy of the Hebrew Language. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda's remarkable perseverance and linguistic genius are celebrated for transforming Hebrew from a revered but dormant language into the dynamic, living tongue spoken by millions in Israel and worldwide today, an achievement that profoundly underpins the cultural and national identity of the State of Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions about Eliezer Ben-Yehuda

• Who was Eliezer Ben-Yehuda?

  Eliezer Ben-Yehuda was a pioneering lexicographer and journalist born in the Russian Empire, widely known as the principal driving force behind the revival of the Hebrew language as a modern, spoken vernacular.

• What was Eliezer Ben-Yehuda's major contribution to the Hebrew language?

  His most significant contribution was the compilation of the first comprehensive modern Hebrew dictionary, "A Complete Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew," which introduced and standardized thousands of words necessary for modern discourse.

• How did Ben-Yehuda promote the use of Hebrew in everyday life?

  He promoted Hebrew by being the first to raise a family speaking only Hebrew, by editing the influential Hebrew newspaper HaZvi, advocating for Hebrew education in schools, and establishing the Va'ad HaLashon (Language Committee) to guide linguistic development.

• When did Eliezer Ben-Yehuda live and work?

  Eliezer Ben-Yehuda lived from January 7, 1858, to December 16, 1922. He dedicated most of his adult life in the Land of Israel to the revitalization of the Hebrew language.

• What was HaZvi?

  HaZvi was one of the earliest and most influential Hebrew newspapers in the Land of Israel, founded and edited by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, which served as a crucial platform for promoting Zionist ideas and the use of Hebrew.