Don't buy this book. Better sources exist for FREE; search for:

1) ancient-hebrew dot org and you'll find a good site. on the left-hand side will be the menu; scroll down till you see "learn hebrew". "alphabet" and more is available--with audio files--for free.

2) "foundationstone" this is a free downloadable program that teaches hebrew.

3) "hebrew4christians" dot com and you'll have another good source.

These sites will not only teach you everything for free that this book instead sells to you but a whole lot more in addition. This book is also over-simplified. It's mostly a waste of time since any adult or child, with the correct motivation, can learn much more than this book offers at a much faster pace. Also, the "script" form of the letters was calligraphed and not practically written for the beginner who wishes to actually write it. "The First Hebrew Primer" gives a much better source with three choices of style available: book print, block print, and script. A student can easily write Hebrew immediately with this book's help.

I received this book yesterday and went through the first few pages today. I was actually reading and speaking Hebrew - it was awesome!

The book is a soft-cover, workbook style that is not at all intimidating. The type is large and easy to read.

The only reason I'm not giving five stars is, as another reviewer has stated, the lack of a pronunciation guide. In order to tell if I'm using the correct pronunciation, I had to keep flipping back to the original lesson.

I'm glad I bought it and am looking forward to learning more Hebrew!

I think this is an excellent book for the beginning student. I already have a background in Hebrew and bought this for a friend to help him learn. The step by step guide that the book takes you thru is easy and before you know it you are reading simple words. Although online learning is the best way, for someone who wants to take a book with them for a quick lesson during lunch hour or on a plane will benefit greatly. Highly recommended.

This book is as good as everyone else says it is, but I have one problem with it. There is a presumption that the reader is Jewish and is familiar with the Prayer over Bread etc. The prayers are presented with no transliteration other than the letter by letter descriptions. Fortunately I happen to know a couple of the prayers, and have Jewish friends who can help me with the others. But if you are approaching Hebrew from a more secular direction, and you don't know the common prayers by heart, then you might look for a different book.

If you grew up hearing those prayers on a regular basis, you will love this book.

I absolutely loved this book and it was perfect for me. I just want to add one thing. Know what TYPE of learner you are. Do you tend to remember things best when you HEAR them or when you READ them (or, perhaps, a combination)? I ask because most of us tend to be learn better one way or the other.

For those who learn from looking at words on a page, going over thing, taking time to read about the sounds and letter combinations, this book is among the best out there. For other people, I would recommend the audio version of this book. It comes in both forms. Or you could use BOTH to compliment each other.

In any case, if you buy this book, you'll find it carefully takes you through each step of learning basic Hebrew, the Alef-bet (alphabet, the ABCs) of the sounds and combinations. Before long, you'll have the thrill of sitting in temple and being able to read along with the Hebrew portions!


Also, consider looking at the selections below for comparison and to find what is right for YOU:






The First Hebrew Primer: The Adult Beginner's Path to Biblical Hebrew, Third Edition





Hebrew in 10 Minutes a Day




To Pray As a Jew: A Guide to the Prayer Book and the Synagogue Service


Hebrew for Dummies

Munich (Widescreen Edition)


Rough Guide to the Music of Israel

This book has helped me tremendously in learning to read Hebrew. I have not seen a better way to learn the aleph bet. And it is a great way to learn your vowels, beginner reading, and some very cool Hebrew blessings. If you are just starting out in Hebrew, buy this book. Shalom Aleichem

This book does take a slow, step by step approach to learning vowels and letters, but it lacks a key or appendix with a pronunciation guide. I found it hard to know whether or not I was reading or pronouncing the lessons correctly. This made using the book difficult and frustrating.

Not a bad book but could have been written a bit more interesting.

This book is written in such a way that it is easy to understand and learn the Hebrew alphabet. The page layout of the book is very conducive for a beginner to be able to study a foreign language. Ideal for a first book of the Alef, Bet.

This book was designed as a tool to teach adults how to read and pronounce the Hebrew Alef-Bet (Alphabet) for the purpose of reading and understanding traditional prayers and blessings. I found this to be a useful guide in learning the letters of the Hebrew alphabet along with their appropriate pronounciations.

This book is simple and uncluttered. With some work, I can't imagine anyone would have difficulty using this as an aid to learn Hebrew. Certainly it will take some practice and work on the reader's behalf--notably, one should be willing to set aside some time each day for going over the letters and pronouncing them. With a few weeks practice, the blessings introduced in the latter chapters and included in the rear of the book are approachable. Also included are helpful hints for pronounciation, and the chart of the Hebrew Alphabet in block letters and script w/ Hebrew name (English and Hebrew), along with page reference for that letter.

This little book is a fantastic way to begin your Hebrew education. When I started it, I couldn't read, pronouce, or write one syllable of Hebrew. I'd sat through many awkward services in my life, reading the English translation of what everyone else seemed to understand. Now, after going through this book twice in one week, I can read and pronounce Hebrew at a glance, and I'm beginning to write and read written Hebrew script. It's incredible. If you want to learn Hebrew, before you begin any other series, get your letters down first. This book is totally worth buying.