The Hebrew literature is cataloged within classical literature and corresponds to the compilation of works (in verse and prose), written in Hebrew by Jewish and non-Jewish authors, whose origins date back to the 12th century BC. C. Within the Hebrew literature stand out the books of the Old Testament, section of the Bible and the Torah.
Especially the Torah occupies an essential part of the Hebrew history and its antecedents, as well as of the customs and traditions of both the Jewish and the Christian people. Hebrew literature is one of the most widespread and extensive cultural manifestations in the world.
The great extension of this genre is due to the fact that it was produced in different historical moments, presenting its maximum splendor between the medieval and modern times. This literature has a very marked religious character; in fact, his most representative works belong to sacred books.
As a consequence of the fact that the Jewish people spread to different parts of the world, Hebrew literature came to be mixed with other genres, which allowed an important literary enrichment. Among the western countries that received the most influence, Spain and Italy stand out.
Origins and history
The first antecedents of the Hebrew Literature date from the expressions and oral lessons from the time of Abraham, considered one of the most important figures in Christianity and Judaism.
This sacred language was transcribed in what Jews know as The Law or the Torah. In this text we find everything concerning the patrimony of the Israelite people: from the origin of the world to the delivery of the tablets with the 10 commandments.
After the post-biblical era, Hebrew literature found another type of flourishing during the medieval period, since it is there when a set of moral and ethical precepts for the behavior that the Jew should have is established.
Other literary genres were also developed, such as poetry, which became fertile ground for secular and non-secular pieces. Even some of these pieces are included in liturgies read by rabbis today.
Later, in the modern era, Hebrew authors went a little further by exploring other genres such as fiction and written essays, which added to the poetry that had already developed for the time.
Although it is typical to see religious elements in Hebrew literature, it is in modernity when other themes that add diversity to this branch are manifested.
In the modern era one begins to write about the inconveniences that the Jews suffer in exile, satires towards the behavior of the rabbis and even criticisms towards certain superstitions of this culture.
The diversity of Jewish works in recent times has also allowed the expression of conflicts of religious and political tendencies among practitioners of Judaism.
With the creation of the State of Israel there is a new need to give diffusion and importance to Hebrew works, especially in the field of literature and language.
The intention is to promote the translation of modern non-Hebrew and Jewish works to this type of language, for the inclusion and knowledge of literary movements in the world.
Some writers do not have international recognition. However, there have been very relevant authors for Jewish literature.
One of them is Shmuel Yosef Agnón, Jewish writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1966 thanks to his stories about the life of the Jews and the process that was experienced during the founding of the State of Israel.
characteristics
- Due to the precepts contemplated in the Old Testament that contemplated the prohibition of the veneration of images, there was no development of pictorial art. On the other hand, there was an important development of poetry and literature.
- Much of literature is related to religion.
- The teachings and precepts that are compiled in the so-called sacred works, such as the Torah, come from the oral tradition of the first Jewish peoples.
- The first works are related to lived facts and personal experiences with God.
- The Hebrew Bible handles historical stories, teachings and morals supported by metaphors. It also has chants and poems made in order to propagate the basic precepts of religion.
- The Old Testament has been translated into several languages, which is why it is considered one of the most widespread works in the world.
The Tanach as the main work
The main books of Hebrew literature are those that make up the Tanach, a Jewish-Jewish work in which the sacred precepts of the Jewish and Christian religions are found.
The Tanach consists of three essential parts: The Law (Torah), the Prophets and the Writings.
The law
Also called Pentateuch, it compiles the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
These describe the most important events, such as the creation of the world, the departure of the Jewish slaves in Egypt and the delivery of the 10 commandments.
The prophets
It receives the name of Nabim. The writings that these books contemplate have to do with the meaning of the prophecies, which rather make an invitation towards the hope of the arrival of a messiah. Highlights the works of Joshua, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
The writings
They are related to chants, poems and historical books, as well as more dramatic and painful works such as those contemplated in the book of Job, in the Bible.
They include the Psalms (considered songs made by the hand of King David), Canta de los Cantares, Ruth, Proverbs (which contain brief teachings and fast learning), Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Maccabees, I Chronicles and II Chronicles.
Literary genres
To better understand what concerns Hebrew literature, it is also necessary to include the genres that developed from it and through time:
Historical
They include real and fictional stories, legends, myths and stories, as well as biographical information about the messiah.
Law
Compilation of norms and precepts to guide the Hebrews from the religious, daily and moral. The most immediate reference is the 10 commandments.
Prophetic
Gender related to visions, oracles and announcements of those who claim to speak in the name of God.
Sapiential
They contain teachings and lessons as lived by the wise.
Poetry
It is the most common genre in Hebrew literature, since it expresses very intimate and personal feelings. In fact, some can be found in Psalms, Lamentations, Job and Song of Songs (attributed to Solomon).
The 5 most prominent authors of Hebrew literature
As at the beginning the Jewish precepts were transmitted orally, the names of some authors were lost in history. However, the following are the most important writers:
1- Isaiah
It is one of the most relevant prophets of Hebrew literature. Isaiah reflects a series of visions and prophecies of what would await the world in the future. It stands out thanks to its refined and structured style.
2- Joshua
Although some of his writings were lost, he was able to recover several of his precepts in which he tells the political and military history of the Jewish people.
3- Dunash ben Labrat
Introduces the Arabic metric to the poetry of this literature.
4- Semuel ibn Nagrella
Author of religious and secular poetry. These works also related to the Talmud and the Torah.
5- Shmuel Yosef Agnón
Win the Nobel Prize for Literature by creating short stories about the experiences in the founding of the State of Israel. His prose combines biblical style and modern Hebrew.
References
- Hebrew literature. (s.f) On EncyclopediaBritannica. Retrieved: February 7 on EncyclopediaBritannica at britannica.com.
- Hebrew literature. (S.f). In Wikipedia. Recovered: February 7, 2018 in Wikipedia from en.wikipedia.org.
- Literatures of the world. (2004). In MailxMail. Retrieved: February 7, 2018 from MailxMail at mailxmail.com.
- Hebrew literature. (s.f) In Wikipedia. Retrieved: February 7, 2018 in Wikipedia from es.wikipedia.org.
- Hebrew literature. (s.f) In UAEH. Retrieved: February 7, 2018 in UAEH deuaeh.edu.mx.