Weekly Wisdom: Hayim Nahman Bialik

Hayim Nahman Bialik was born on January 9, 1873 in the Ukraine. Bialik wrote Hebrew poetry at a time when it was not evident that Hebrew would become the spoken language of the Jewish community in Israel. He is perhaps most famous for his nationalistic poems, which call for a reawakening of the Jewish people. Bialik ultimately came to be recognized as Israel’s national poet. Bialik’s poems have been translated into at least 30 languages, and set to music as popular songs. These poems, and the songs based on them, have become an essential part of the education and culture of modern Israel. This weekend, take a virtual tour of his former home at 22 Bialik Street in Tel Aviv, which has been converted into a museum, and functions as a center for literary events.