Aramaic

Aramaic is the language in which central holy books were written, such as the books of Ezra and Daniel in the Tanach, the Babylonian Talmud, the Jerusalem Talmud, and the Zohar.

Aramaic underwent many changes throughout the years, from 'Early Aramaic' in the days of Lavan the Aramean (beginning of the second millennium since the creation of the world, around 1600 BCE), until 'Modern Aramaic' which is spoken today in certain villages in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and even Syria. During different periods, Aramaic was a common language in Assyria, Persia, Babylon, Syria, and was even the spoken language in Eretz Yisrael, Syria, and Mesopotamia.

For Torah scholars, the following dialects are familiar: 'Babylonian Aramaic' - in which the Babylonian Talmud was written, 'Galilean Aramaic' in which the Jerusalem Talmud and some of the Midrashim were written, 'Middle Aramaic' in which the Targum Onkelos was written.

Aramaic in Holy Books

Aramaic in Tanach

The first Aramaic speaker in the Tanach is Lavan the Aramean, who is mentioned in the Torah speaking two words in Aramaic - "Yegar Sahadusa". Indeed, the Aramaic language is named after his land of origin, Aram.

In the Book of Kings, when Ravshakeh, the messenger of Sancheriv, king of Assyria, arrives in Jerusalem and calls for its residents to surrender; Ravshakeh is requested by Chizkiyahu's ministers to speak in Aramaic: "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it, and do not speak to us in Judean in the hearing of the people who are on the wall."

In the books of Ezra and Daniel, there are chapters written in Biblical Aramaic, as well as one verse in the book of Jeremiah.

Aramaic in the Talmud

The language of the Jews of Babylon was Aramaic, and in it the Babylonian Talmud was written. This dialect is referred to by scholars as 'Babylonian Aramaic'.

The Jews of the Galilee also spoke Aramaic, but in a dialect slightly different from the Babylonian dialect. The Jerusalem Talmud and some of the Midrashim were written in this language. This dialect is referred to by scholars as 'Galilean Aramaic'.

Targum Onkelos

The translation of the five books of the Torah into Aramaic, written by Onkelos the Convert. Onkelos studied (after converting) with the Tannaim Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua (the teachers of Rabbi Akiva).

Relation of Chazal to Aramaic

In the period of the Amoraim, there were those who praised the Aramaic language, and said: "Do not consider the Syrian [Aramaic] language insignificant in your eyes, for in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, the Holy One, blessed be He, gave it honor. In the Torah: 'Yegar Sahaduta' [Genesis 31:47], in the Prophets: 'K'danah teimrun lehon' [Jeremiah 10:11], in the Writings, as it is written: 'The Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic' [Daniel 2:4]."

Prayer in Aramaic

Nevertheless, they cautioned against praying in Aramaic, because "the ministering angels do not recognize the Aramaic language," as this language is considered unseemly in their eyes. However, certain prayers, such as Kaddish and Kedusha D'Sidra were written specifically in Aramaic so that the common people would understand what was being said in them. And because they contain the sanctification of Hashem's Name and Torah study that includes the entire congregation—Torah scholars and common people alike—our Sages said that upon these the world stands.

In the Words of Our Rebbeim

"...Language cannot be considered an essential foundation in our existence, because already in ancient times Aramaic served as the spoken language of the people: parts of Tanach, almost all of the Talmud Bavli, the Zohar, and more, were written in the Aramaic language." - From a letter of the Rebbe to linguist and philologist Professor Yechezkel Kutscher, in response to sending his writings dealing with the Aramaic language. Volume 11, pages 143, 144, 145.

Further Reading

• Rabbi Yaakov Loiffer, Onkelos HaGer, in the section V'darashta V'chakarta 'HaMevaser-Torani' Erev Shabbat Parshat Vayigash 5781 (2020)

External Links

• Aramaic - The Yiddish of the Middle East (English)