Question: If there so many dialects of Hebrew, Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Mizrahi, Biblical, etc. which one is the true method of pronunciation?

Answer: Thank you for your excellent question. In the Book of Judges (Sefer Shoftim) 12:6, we see that the Hebrew word “Shibboleth” was used as a test to determine if one was from Gilead or from the tribe of Ephraim. The Ephraimites could not pronounce the letter “shin” whereas the Gileadites could. Many commentators have suggested that each tribe had its own way of pronouncing Hebrew. Some have said that it is possible that the various forms of pronunciation we have today each date back to a different tribe.

Others have suggested that the Yemenite pronunciation is the proper one (although there are several versions of the Yemenite accent). However, those same authorities (such as the Minchas Elazar of Munkatch, etc.) still maintained their own pronunciation out of custom. Thus, we see, that it is proper to follow a traditional form of pronouncing Hebrew even if it is not proper, as long as it is an authentic tradition.

The Mishnah makes it clear that one may pray in any language that they understand. One may not pray in a language that he does not understand except for Hebrew. One may pray in Hebrew if he does not understand it. While the ideal is to pray in Hebrew and understand what one is saying, if one prays in English with understanding or if one prays in Hebrew without understanding the obligation is fulfilled, although the practice does fall short.. If one has a deeper inspiration in English, it may be better for him to pray in English.

Rabbi Kolakowski
Richmond, VA