Hebrew Lion

Language Instruction & Services

Hebrew Audio and Video

female with microphone looks like she is making a videoYou can pick up and absorb so much Hebrew just by watching videos, listening to music, or even setting your GPS to Hebrew. Jump in, mouth the words, and belt out the parts you recognize—feels incredible!

Here are tips help you to leverage audio and video to accelerate your Hebrew learning.

Radio Players

What music moves you? Play Hebrew in the background while you go about your day.

    הרוקדים Israeli Dance Songs

    רדיו יאסו Greek

                                  Music Videos that Teach

                                  Glykeria’s powerful remake of this song (initially recorded by Zohar Argov, AKA “The King”) will leave you breathless. Ironically, Glykeria, who is not a Hebrew speaker, sings Badad beautifully, using perfect diction and tone, making her very easy to follow. Lyrics

                                  Come, Come Blessed One is the title of this song. בואי, meaning “come” in the imperative voice, is used to address a female. In this case, we’re welcoming the Sabbath, which the song likens to a queen. This is one of the best-known Sabbath songs and has been performed by countless artists. Lyrics

                                  This lively melody captures the profound lament of the Jewish people exiled far from their homeland, yearning for Zion (another name for Jerusalem). The song reflects the anguish following their deportation from the Kingdom of Judah by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (circa 605 BCE). Archaeological studies suggest that after the destruction of Jerusalem, some Jews remained and resettled in other parts of Judah, preserving their cultural and spiritual connection to their homeland. History is ironic, though: Nearly 70 years later, Babylon was conquered by the Persians, who freed the exiled Jews, allowing them to return to their homeland. Lyrics

                                  Speak to Me in Flowers is the title of this song. דבר, meaning “speak” in the imperative voice, is used to address a male. This is an original, Israeli song.

                                  Speak to Me is the title of this song. דברי, meaning “speak” in the imperative voice, is used to address a female. The song is a remake of a contemporary Greek song. The Israeli couples’ dance is co-demo’ed by its choreographer, my former teacher Naftali Kadosh with his partner. Lyrics

                                  This contemporary prayer, absent from traditional prayer books, offers elements that resonate universally. Adapted into Hebrew from a Greek song in 1994, this powerful composition features heartfelt words spoken by an individual addressing God. Lyrics

                                  This song checks all of the boxes for a beginner user of Hebrew: It is relatable, its words are useful in everyday language, the message is universal and positive, and the video will keep your eyes peeled on the screen. Lyrics

                                  This love song about a man and his boots is a fun way to learn words that take the “ayim” dual suffix. Lyrics

                                  In this song, Josie Katz portrays a boy bemoaning being sent to, preferring instead to stay up and watch cop shows on TV. Listen carefully and pick out a good number of the starter words you may already know.

                                  This classic hit by Kaveret was also Israel’s 1974 entry to the international Eurovision song contest. I suspect you’ll recognize some words, as you rock out. Lyrics

                                  How many words do you recognize in this song? We love this song because it is so catchy, plus the fact that it contains a good number of beginner words. Lyrics

                                  This remake of a song from 1935 is also the basis of a choreographed Israeli dance. Israeli dancing is typically practiced in gyms, and includes circle, line and couples’ dances. Lyrics

                                  This song is a classic, and the dance performance is pure fun! When you get to the chorus, you’ll recognize some words. Lyrics

                                  By popular demand, since a good number of my students have have asked to learn this, I am sharing a recitation of the Shma prayer. This is not just any recitation. Very familiar to most 20th century Israelis, Kol Yisrael (TV & radio) newscaster Moshe Khovev broadcast this daily into our devices, into our lives.

                                  This deeply moving ballad—performed by vocalist Roni Dalumi with the Idan Raichel Project—is dedicated to the victims of the October 2023 attacks.

                                  The reflective nature of this song—its plea for peace, kindness, and meaning—mirrors the internal struggles and hopes of someone facing profound life challenges. Naomi Shemer, often referred to as the “First Lady of Israeli Song,” was a prolific Israeli songwriter and composer. She wrote Tfilati during a period when she was grappling with her battle with cancer. Lyrics

                                  Learn on the Go Waze icon

                                  Download Waze and choose a Hebrew-speaking voice for navigation on familiar routes and neighborhoods. Switch back to English when you need directions you can follow easily.

                                  Speed Trap

                                  Before long, you’ll be understanding phrases like “bear left” and “slight right in 300 meters!” And while you’re learning, Waze will still alert you to traffic delays and speed traps!

                                  Slow It Down

                                  Choose a video. Then, tap settings gear Settings (if using Youtube, that’s going to be at bottom right) to slow down the playback speed.

                                  Depiction of a YouTube screen's speed settings

                                  Make Time to Practice

                                  Schedule uninterrupted time to practice your Hebrew. Find a quiet space and listen to the audio, pausing frequently to repeat what you hear. Repeat until you’re satisfied that you can say the words or phrases comfortably.

                                  Be good to yourself: To keep your focus fresh, switch to another task and then resume listening.