Voices of the Past

Historical Romance Author

Maybe you
Friday, September 20, 2024 by Erma Ullrey

Portrait of Eliezer and Hemda Ben-Yehuda

Maybe you’ve often asked yourself, what can one person do?

The story I’m about to share will hopefully inspire you to be that one person!

Born in Russia, Eleazer Ben Yehuda began his education at the age of three. By twelve, he had read sizeable portions of the Torah and other Hebrew teachings. His love for languages included French, German, and Russian.

Around 1900, he and his bride settled in the land of Israel. He declared to her, “You are now hearing the last English words I will speak. From this point on, I will speak only Hebrew—and so will you.”* Understand that at this time, Hebrew was considered a dead language. No one spoke it. The Jewish people had been scattered all over the globe, and Israel wouldn’t become a nation again until 1948.

Imagine what Eleazer’s wife might’ve thought? This is crazy talk! I’ve married someone who is mad. Before this time, she’d considered her husband a scholarly English-speaking man. But now? A lexicographer (someone who edits/compiles dictionaries) by trade, people who knew Eleazer already considered him a bit peculiar. However, their opinions shifted. This strange notion of his catapulted him into a category beyond bizarre.

Given the same instructions as he’d given his wife, their children which eventually numbered eleven, only spoke Hebrew. Their playmates had no idea what to make of the strange words they heard. But, as children do, they found a way to decode what this one-shy-of-a-dozen were saying. Little by little “word, phrases, and idioms … fanned almost-dead embers of memory and emotions”* which ignited the hearts of Jewish people. And so the Hebrew language spread throughout the land.

On September 23, 1922, the League of Nations declared Hebrew the official language of the nation. Eleazer Ben Yehuda died three months later. But his legacy lives on. He revived what was once dead. The Hebrew language had returned and is here to stay, thanks to one man. Once considered odd at best, he is now touted as a visionary.

Can one person make a difference, turn the tide, awaken what had faded into antiquity? Eleazer had a huge impact in the lives of his family and people in every part of the world. Maybe we can’t all be Eleazers. But shouldn’t we try?

I’d love to hear your examples of people who’ve made a difference in your life. Thank you for sharing!

*Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament, Volume 2.

Erma Ullrey – Author

Erma Ullrey is a follower of Jesus Christ. Married for forty-three years, she enjoys four wonderful children, three outlaws, and four precious grandchildren. She worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years. After completing her B.S.H.S., she became a health educator and received international credentials in childbirth education (I.C.E.A.) and lactation consulting (I.B.C.L.C.). She’s served as a women’s Bible study leader, and participates in a local book club as well as local and national writer’s groups.

She posts encouraging blogs at https://merryheartink.substack.com/ and enjoys chatting with her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram friends. And she keeps chickens.

Erma is the winner of several writing awards including: 2024 Scrivenings Press Suspense Finalist, 2024 Genesis Romance Finalist, ACFW; 2023 Finalist, ACFW First Impressions; 2023 1st place Contemporary Romance, Scrivenings Press; 2023 Finalist, Scrivenings Press and Faith, Hope, and Love; 2022 ACFW Genesis finalist; 1st place ACFW 2020 First Impressions; 2st place, 2020 ICAN; 1st place, 2020 ACFW Virginia Crown Award; 1st place, 2019 ICAN; 2019 ACFW Genesis Finalist; 1st place, 2018 OHCWC Blue Seal Award winner (tie); 2nd place, 2018 Georgia Peach.

Erma has a free romantic short story available here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/387r562aa

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