Lesson 7 — Questions, Paths, and Courage
Today’s outcomes
Learn twelve new high-frequency words, use singular and plural demonstratives, recognize the question prefix, distinguish statement negation from prohibition, and read Moses’ command at the sea in meaningful phrases.
1. Cumulative retrieval
Attempt every meaning before tapping. The review items prepare today’s contrasts and Torah reading.
2. New Hebrew 700 vocabulary — ranks 73–84
Listen and echo once, retrieve twice, then produce from English. Similar-looking items will be contrasted below.
3. Pointing words: this and these
Used with or in place of a masculine singular noun.
Used with or in place of a feminine singular noun.
The common plural demonstrative; it is used across genders.
Practice by pointing to one masculine noun, one feminine noun, and several objects.
4. The question prefix הֲ־
The short prefix הֲ־ can turn a statement into a yes/no question. Its vowel may change according to the following sound.
ha-zeh? — “Is this …?” or “Is this the one?” Context completes the question.
Biblical Hebrew questions can also be signaled by context or other question words. הֲ־ is one important pattern, not the only one.
5. לֹא versus אַל
Commonly negates a statement or action.
Commonly introduces a negative command or prohibition.
In today’s verse, אַל־תִּירָאוּ means “do not fear.”
6. Place, path, and action
Places
Egypt · Jerusalem. Both names carry the ־ַיִם sound sequence.
Orientation
way/path · after/behind
Actions
called · lifted/carried · stand up!
Family
brother; compare אָב, father, from Lesson 4.
7. Torah reading ladder — Exodus 14:13a
Moses speaks to Israel at the sea. The lesson uses the first major clause of Exodus 14:13 so each phrase can be mastered accurately.
Moses said to the people
Do not fear
Stand firm and see
the deliverance of the LORD
which He will do for you today
Build and complete
“Moses said to the people: Do not fear. Stand firm and see the deliverance of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today.”
The written divine name יְהוָה is read aloud as אֲדֹנָי.
8. Form discovery
The prohibition אַל is followed by a verb form addressed to the plural people.
The familiar root ר־א־ה appears in the plural command “and see!”
The familiar root ע־שׂ־ה appears in “He will do.”
9. Guided comprehension
- Who speaks to whom?
- Which word introduces the negative command?
- What two positive actions follow?
- What are the people to see?
- Which reviewed root means “do/accomplish”?
10. Active recall and production
- Complete 15–20 mixed questions.
- Say “this” masculine, “this” feminine, and “these.”
- Explain לֹא versus אַל.
- Read the five Torah phrases, then the complete excerpt.
- Retrieve at least 10/12 new items and 8/12 from English.