The Letters of the Geonim as a Source of Epistolary Linguistic Forms in Modern Hebrew

Abstract

The writing formulas in official letters in Modern Hebrew are often identical or similar to the formulas revealed in the Geonic letters. This article presents these similar formulas with two purposes in mind: 1) to illustrate the significance of the Interim Period for the formation of Modern Hebrew; 2) to show that the continuity of the use of the Hebrew language throughout history was a major factor that allowed the revival of Modern Hebrew.