Izzy here. Do you know what the number one complaint about Hebrew Quest that I hear is? That I talk too slow. Until now! Here's Kari.
"Have you ever met Izzy in person? Because if you do, he will very likely ask you how many Hebrew Quest lessons you’ve completed. Don’t be like me and fake an important phone call and run away to avoid having to say “Um, none.” I’m going to share a face-saving tip with you so that when Izzy asks you this question, you will have a number instead of an excuse. You can actually change the speed at which these lessons are played. So if sitting through an hour-and-a-half-long video sounds like some special room in Dante’s afterlife, just change the speed to 1.5X or 2X and finish the lesson in half the time with all of your eyeballs intact! You can find this setting by clicking on the icon that looks like a gear, and then by clicking on the Speed menu. If, like me, you are short on time, or perhaps you are not a total beginner at Hebrew, you can speed up the lessons, still gleaning the very rich and deep insights Izzy provides, while not leaving your unattended children to recreate The Lord of the Flies in your living room. Win-Win!"
Kari also created a short instructional video that you can watch here. The bonus is that you can laugh at the sample of me talking like a chipmunk.
And if you want to hear the rest of the story, read on. I deliberately talked slowly on Hebrew Quest, for a number of reasons. For one thing, when you're learning a new language your brain needs extra time to recognize and process words. For another, my vision from the start has been for Hebrew Quest to reach an international audience - both people for whom English is a second language, and for non-English speakers through translation. And for both of those broad categories, slow and clear speech is essential. At the same time though - listen, I feel your pain. I have an extremely hyperactive brain. I think and process really fast. Which means I have a really hard time sitting through sermons if the preacher drawls. It also means I listen to audiobooks on 1.5 or 2x. So just between you and me, with this handy tip from Kari, I might actually make it through Hebrew Quest myself. ;)
(Oh and if you haven't seen Hebrew Quest yet, you need to stop missing out! Watch here.)
Dennis' Story
Dennis is following Yeshua in a Hebrew way! Here's his story.
"My journey with the Lord began with my water baptism at 12. I was not baptized at birth because my family denomination required you to be at an accountable age to accept Jesus as Lord. From that moment on I knew that my journey would not be alone. There were various times where the Lord protected me from disaster all the way through my school years ending with a college degree in Chemistry and Math. My career began with a Fortune 500 company. As I began to be promoted to greater leadership roles with key breakthroughs; I knew the Lord’s Hand was involved.
In 1979 I was promoted to a key marketing position at the corporate office. My family of a beautiful wife and two wonderful children, were attending a well-established church in the community having many members who held company corporate positions. In that year the Lord was stirring in my heart that my Christian journey was shallow though I was a Sunday school teacher and was by the world standards a “good guy”. I read a book by Dennis Bennet “Nine O’clock in the Morning” which described the Charismatic movement with an Episcopalian church in Washington State. After reading that book, I wanted and desired the baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues so I too could be used of the Lord in mighty ways. My effort on my own was futile and in desperation, I prayed: “Lord, put someone in my path who is Charismatic and not a flake, Amen”. Well about 3 weeks later while working in the corporate office, I discovered our division marketing manager looking at a little black book in the men’s lavatory. When I inquired, he said, “Praise God, this is the Bible and I am born again!” I could not believe it. His old life style was certainly not Christian. So I spent time with him and saw his zeal for Jesus. He invited me to an Assembly of God church. On Sunday night April 22, 1979 I received the Holy Spirit and spoke in my Heavenly language. I have never been the same! The Bible came alive; I knew my relationship with my Father in Heaven was real and alive.
Fast forward and passing many wonderful encounters in my journey walking close to the LORD. Also passing a tough time of divorce where my wife of 19 years found another man and took custody of my son and daughter. If it were not for my strong faith, I would not be writing this testimony. He brought me through and gave me my bride now of 27 years of marriage. I am hers and she is mine; we are one in our love for Jesus.
In 2004, I was crying out to Jesus wanting to know Him more. His reply: “I am a Jew”. From that point on my journey was a quest to know Jesus as Yeshua, an itinerant brilliant rabbi of the 1st century. I began a 3 year study under Dwight Pryor, in blessed memory, of 80 lessons on understanding who Yeshua was and His message to His people. They were all audio lessons and I transcribed every one of them [it is hilarious to look at my spelling of Hebrew words then, some were really out-there]. I started digging into the Hebrew words and discovered a teacher who showed me how the ancient Hebrew letters were pictographs. Discovering that the Hebrew language is unique and powerful. I wanted to know more.
Well I then discovered this teacher whose passion for Yeshua overwhelmed me. He was so young and so knowledgeable. He had an unusual name: Izzy Avraham. What!?! I purchased his Hebrew Quest – all cd’s. Izzy was so helpful in helping me to teach from the Hebrew Quest for a year with my church home group. I started with 40 students who loved the lessons on the letters of the Aleph Beit. They just adored Izzy and his creative presentation of the letters. However as we stepped through the following cd’s, the class dwindled to 6 by end of the year. Most did not learn the Hebrew alphabet so how could they go on?
So welcome to all to the Holy Language Institute. We will journey together and grow in our knowledge of God’s beautiful word and will enter that space where Izzy is: Growing in our knowledge and love Him who first loved us."
Did you appreciate this story? If so, please say thank you by sharing yours. Here's how.
Hats off to Robert for this meme! Make your own Hebrew meme here or here and send it to meme@holylanguage.com and we'll share yours too.
Blessings to you,
Izzy Avraham
Founding Teacher
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