הגנסיס של מילון בן יהודה: ממילון שימושי למילון היסטורי-מדעי

The circumstances under which Eliezer Ben-Yehuda conceived of and created one of the most important assets of modern Hebrew culture, the Complete Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew, have to date scarcely been explored. This article seeks to remedy this deficiency with the help of materials recently discovered in the archives of the Alliance israélite universelle (AIU) in Paris. The file consists of more than one hundred letters, mostly in French and some in German, written by and to Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and his spouse Hemda between 1880 and 1909 – the period during which the Dictionary came into being. The letters uncover the circumstances and motivations that led Eliezer Ben-Yehudato alter his original plan to compose a practical dictionary on a relatively small scale and instead to take on the immense project of compiling a seventeen-volumehistorical-scientific dictionary, complete with an extensive introductory volume. They tell the unknown story of an enormous intellectual and scholarly enterprise – and of the tireless fundraising required to ensure its publication. Indeed, the letters make clear that it was the philanthropists that provided support for the Dictionary and insisted that Ben-Yehuda change the project from a practical reference intended for learners of Hebrew into a work of academic significance that would fully encompass the richness and evolution of the Hebrew language over generations.The letters also shed light on a perhaps unexpected obstacle: The enterprise of composing the Dictionary failed to win the support of Zionist institutions and organizations; Ben-Yehuda was instead forced to plead for support from non-Zionist sources in order to secure funding. Not only did Zionist organizations not cooperate with Ben-Yehuda, but they sought to discourage the project and at times even stood in his way. In contrast, Ben-Yehuda was able to recruit several non-Zionist organizations and individuals whose assistance would ultimately enable the realization of his endeavor. Their support for what would become one of the flagship projects of the Hebrew national revival stemmed not from national-Zionist motives but from a desire to enrich the corpus of Jewish literature with a monumental reference that would stand proudly alongside the great dictionaries of other major languages.The article proposes that the history of Ben-Yehuda’s Dictionary be read as a heroic and moving story of determination, sacrifice, and devotion. The Complete Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew – one of the most important enterprises in the revival and development of Hebrew culture – was above all the vision of one man and his spouse, who together defied obstacles and opposition in order to bring it to fruition