Hebraicum

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The Hebraicum (abbreviation for examen hebraicum ) is a language test that proves basic language skills in Hebrew , such as the Graecum for the Greek and the Latinum for the Latin language. A distinction is made between an ancient Hebrew language , which refers to the language of the Hebrew Bible , the Old Testament , and an ancient and modern Hebrew language , which, in addition to knowledge of ancient Hebrew, also demonstrates knowledge of modern Hebrew ( Ivrit ) . In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the ancient Hebraicum is a prerequisite for the intermediate examination in a diploma course in Christian theology at most theological faculties ; An ancient and modern Hebrew language course is acquired as part of the Jewish studies course . In accordance with these different purposes, state school offices, university faculties or institutes, church institutions and the Jewish University in Heidelberg conduct the Hebraicum examination. In general, secondary schools, colleges or religious institutions offer Hebrew classes at that leads to Hebraicum; However, there are also offers for self-study.

history

The triad of examina Hebraicum, Graecum, Latinum ultimately goes back to the concept of the tres linguae sacrae in Christianity, which is derived from the trilingual inscription on the cross of Jesus, as it is attested by John ( John 19.20  EU ) and by Christian scholars of the Middle Ages as Isidore of Seville and Hrabanus Maurus was propagated. However, Hebrew was first spread in the Christian area by the humanist Johannes Reuchlin and so upgraded that it found its way into school lessons. In the 19th century, a formal ancient Hebrew examination was institutionalized in analogy to the examinations in ancient Greek and Latin, which is still a standardized requirement for a full study of Christian theology, but is also required as an essential preliminary work in Jewish studies . Since Hebrew could not always be offered in all schools, the theological faculties were forced to take a university examination to prepare their candidates for the requirements of their studies. In the second half of the 20th century, with the establishment of the courses in Jewish Studies and Jewish Studies at the philosophical faculties of individual universities, a Hebraicum that also encompasses modern Hebrew was established.

Old Testament Hebrew

School levy

At a few state or state-recognized schools in Germany, Old Testament Hebrew is offered as an optional subject, so that in general, after three years of teaching according to the curriculum, the Hebraicum can be acquired with sufficient performance and proven by a corresponding entry in the Abitur certificate. Students take the Hebraicum to familiarize themselves with the Hebrew language and the literature and culture of ancient Judaism, or possibly also to prepare for a planned study of Christian theology or Jewish studies , probably rarely for an intended rabbi training.

Abitur supplementary examination in Hebrew

Due to the discontinuation of the Hebrew subject at numerous German schools, the Hebraicum (like the Latinum and the Graecum) can often only be acquired as an Abitur supplementary examination , also known as the Abitur extension examination , which can be obtained after the Abitur and the start of studies following university language courses or self-study is also accepted by an examination committee, which the respective state education authority or regional council appoints for this purpose and consists of state-certified teachers for the subject of Hebrew. However, this offer has been reduced in recent years; There are different regulations in the individual federal states.

Old Testament (classical) university Hebraicum

The Old Testament or classical Hebraicum is a university certificate proving a basic knowledge of the Old Testament Hebrew, which is issued on the basis of an examination at a theological faculty. On the one hand, this examination is to be distinguished from the Abitur supplementary examination , which is also prepared at universities, but lies exclusively in the hands of an examination committee appointed by the respective education authority or regional council. On the other hand, it should not be confused with the introductory course in Biblical-Semitic thinking , which is often taken as a preliminary examination of the Hebraicum and proves initial knowledge of the Old Testament Hebrew.

It is usually taken as a faculty-internal examination before an examination committee of the faculty of a university (e.g. as part of a theology course) and consists of a written exam and an oral exam. In terms of scope and requirements, the exam corresponds to the exam in the state supplementary school leaving examination . For example, a translation of around 10-14 lines of a narrative text is usually required, in contrast to a poetic text from the Psalms , for whose correct translation also requires exegetical knowledge. The oral exam takes about 15-20 minutes.

Diocesan supplementary examination in Ancient Hebrew

The diocesan supplementary examination of Old Hebrew , also called ecclesiastical Hebraicum , is an examination related to the Old Testament Hebrew, which is held by the Catholic Theological-Propaedeutic Seminar Ambrosianum , Tübingen , and by the Catholic-Theological Faculty of the University of Tübingen as well as at all Catholic-theological faculties and the recognized by most Protestant theological faculties. In this respect, it is to be equated with the Old Testament Hebraicum at a theological faculty. The examination is usually taken internally in front of an examination committee of the theological-propaedeutic seminar. The examination requirements and procedure are the same as those of the classical Hebraicum .

Old and modern language (Judaic) Hebraicum

The Hebraicum for the subject of Jewish Studies / Jewish Studies demonstrates basic knowledge of both ancient and modern Hebrew and is offered at almost all institutes for Jewish Studies and Jewish Studies. It forms the basis for the subsequent reading seminars on rabbinical, medieval and modern Hebrew texts in the relevant courses.

The structure of the Judaic Hebraicum examination is similar to the classical Hebraicum examination (see above): In a written examination (usually three hours), an old and a new language Hebrew text must be translated into German; In addition, grammatical forms have to be analyzed. There is also an oral exam lasting around 20 minutes. The text material used is - in contrast to the classic Hebraic - predominantly unvocalized. The previous Hebrew lessons at the relevant institutes are adapted to this level of requirements.

The successfully passed examination is either attested by a certificate issued by the institute carrying out the examination, which contains the subject and the grade of the examination, or is documented in the transcript of records attached to the Bachelor’s certificate . In the bachelor's degree, the Hebraicum examination is also the final examination of one or more language modules; The Hebraicum grades are therefore final grades, which are usually included in the overall Bachelor grade. At the discretion of the institute or lecturer, guest auditors can be authorized to take part in Judaic Hebrew courses, but they do not acquire certificates for examinations, since according to the examination regulations, only regular students are entitled to officially take final exams.

recognition

Since there are different forms of Hebrew, the recognition is also quite different. In theory, the university Hebraicum is only valid for certain courses at this same university, but in practice there are hardly any difficulties with the recognition of the Hebraicum in the same course at another university or in another federal state. Usually a Hebraicum acquired at the theological faculty of a state university is also recognized for other courses such as Semitic Studies, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, etc. On the other hand, a Hebraicum from universities in free church sponsorship or a certificate from commercial institutes is often not recognized by the theological faculties because the academic level is either not guaranteed or cannot be verified.

The university institutes for Jewish Studies / Jewish Studies recognize the Judaistic Hebraicum examinations in accordance with the applicable examination regulations. The purely old-language Hebraicum examinations of other university institutes and faculties, including the Abitur supplementary examination, are usually credited as the old Hebrew part of the Judaic Hebraicum; they do not replace the required modern Hebrew knowledge.

See also

Web links

School education and Abitur supplement test

"Classic" university Hebraicum

"Church" Hebraicum

Judaic Hebraicum

Learned institutions of Judaism

University institutes for Jewish studies