On the Rudiments of Hebrew

BOOK ONE

The elements must be treated first. Our ancestors fled from this task, which in my opinion is nearly infinite. Or perhaps they thought it beneath their dignity that, having left behind the highest disciplines of divine and human affairs, they should turn themselves toward childish elements like schoolmasters. Taking pity on such holy letters, I grieved that scholars in my time have lacked knowledge of the Hebrew language for too long. Therefore, favoring their talent, I have dared—perhaps too rashly—to be the first of all to place such a heavy weight on my shoulders. At the same time, I offer myself to the barking of those who would bite me; if only it were only Jewish critics! Reuchlin anticipates attacks from both Jewish scholars who might resent a Christian teaching Hebrew and conservative Christians who viewed Hebrew studies as dangerous or heretical.

Nor did I consider it foreign to the dignity of a learned man to descend to elementary associations, following the example of Aurelius Opilius. He did not disdain to follow first philosophy, then the art of rhetoric, and finally grammar. Suetonius Tranquillus A famous Roman historian and biographer. testifies to nothing different regarding Ateius Praetextatus the philologist. There is a similar story regarding Valerius Cato, who was called the "Latin Siren." Therefore, I confess that studying the system of letters is a task for children. I also confess that I have advanced so far in my career that people judge me to be partly a philosopher and partly a legal expert.

They believe this for two main reasons. First, because of the things we published under the name of "Capnion" original: "Capnione". Capnion is the Greek translation of Reuchlin's name, meaning "smoky." concerning the "Wonder-Working Word." original: "de uerbo mirifico". This refers to Reuchlin's 1494 book, which explored the Kabbalah and the divine power of Hebrew names. From that work, they persuade themselves that something approaching true philosophy can be drawn out. Second, because for many years now, I have held the dignity of the triumvirate Reuchlin served as one of the three main judges of the Swabian League, a powerful alliance of princes and cities in Southern Germany. over the strong Swabian confederated princes, an office I reached not through ambition but by pure election. People see that I preserve that honor unshaken and sacred to this day.

Nevertheless, I am not at all ashamed of this elementary art. From the very beginning of my youth, it has been my practice and habit to join playful disciplines to great contemplations. I have always taught by learning—if not teaching the highest men, then at least those of the lowest rank. For in the eighteenth year of my age, I began the literary studies of Priscian of Caesarea A famous 6th-century Latin grammarian whose work was the standard textbook for centuries. at the school in Paris. Two years later, among the Rauraci The people living in the region of Basel, Switzerland., I compiled a dictionary which I called the Breviloquus meaning "The Short-Speaker." This was Reuchlin's popular Latin dictionary, published around 1475.. At that same time in Basel, on this side of the Rhine, I learned the Greek language under Andronicus Contoblacas, who was Greek by nation.

Four years after leaving that place, I sowed the seeds of that language among the Gauls, first at Genabum (which they now call Orléans). There, over a long period, I also applied myself to Civil Law and was decorated by the doctors with the honor of the Papinianists A title for advanced law students, named after the famous Roman jurist Papinian.. This was in the year of our Lord 1479. See, my brother, with what care I have led my life. For the entire sum I spent on learning, I acquired by teaching. I simultaneously learned the laws of the Latins and taught the precepts of the Greeks, concerning which I then [wrote] a Greek grammar...

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