Which languages besides Hebrew have been used for important Jewish literature?

While Hebrew literature is a distinct body of work produced in the Hebrew language, Jewish people have historically produced significant literature in several other languages. These literatures were often specific to the communities that used those languages and were sometimes forgotten or translated into Hebrew when those communities ceased to exist.1

Important languages used for Jewish literature include:

• Aramaic: Used extensively by Jews after the Babylonian exile, Aramaic became the language of the common people while Hebrew remained the language of religion and government. It is the language of the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds, as well as portions of the Bible (the books of Daniel and Ezra).2
• Yiddish: The vernacular of Ashkenazic Jewry, Yiddish literature emerged in Europe and flourished from 1864 to 1939. It served as a vehicle for poetry, drama, and fiction, often intended for ordinary readers.3
• Ladino: A Romance language derived from archaic Castilian Spanish, Ladino was spoken by Sephardic Jews and possesses a centuries-old literary tradition.4
• Greek: Jews also produced important literature in Greek, which, in some cases, became integrated into Christian tradition.1
• Arabic: During the golden age of Hebrew literature in Spain, Jewish scholars engaged deeply with Arabic culture, adapting its canons of scholarship and poetry to their own heritage.5