Ha-yesod: Fundamentals of Hebrew (English and Hebrew Edition)

I've gone through many Hebrew textbooks, and this one, by far, teaches the language the most effectively. I picked up the language very quickly by writing out every vocabulary list--including vowels--using printed, not cursive, letters, and writing out all questions and their answers, and even the readings. For me, writing is kind of "zen," as it slows me down and forces my focus to be placed on each letter, their proper vowels and the pattern of how the different types of verbs vary according to tense. Vocabulary learning is reinforced by continuing to use words learned in previous chapters while adding new ones to them as the book progresses. There's a vocabulary list, answers to all the questions, and a verb table in the back of the book. I use YouTube videos to listen to Hebrew spoken by Israelis. It's a perfect supplement. Buy it. Be serious, attentive, and take the time to write things out, and, if you're Ike me, you will NOT regret spending money to buy this book! You'll also end up speaking Hebrew like an Israeli if you use YouTube. Just have fun with it!

I've studied French, Hebrew and Arabic, and I would say that Ha-Yesod is the single best textbook I have used. What I find especially helpful is the translation exercise at the end of each chapter. Several reviewers complained that there is no answer key. I, at first, was perplexed by this. However, the chapters are so short that it is not difficult to find an example to correct oneself. Also, when you translate the exercises correctly, you will not need an answer key. I'll leave it there and let you have a chuckle as you remember this while doing the exercises. I believe the philosophy behind the text is to make the student search a little, sometimes feel perplexed, but in the end gain a far deeper understanding of the language. Ha-Yesod is an intelligently constructed and well edited textbook of the highest quality. I highly recommend it.

This is a great text, which takes you from scratch. This is not just adults in airports and restaurants, but children in real-life situations. There are no CD's prepared for this course, but I am giving it a top rating for its presentation alone. You can purchase Living Language to get a Hebrew course with CD's, but Living Language does not include a glossary in the back.The lessons are bite-size, so you can handle them better and feel your progress. A forgotten vocabulary word can be easily found in the glossary, which includes a number with each entry representing the chapter the word first appeared in. The pages don't come lose like the "Teach Yourself" books, as this is a large format, high-quality printing, similar to many of the textbooks I had in college for Spanish and Russian. The only drawback might be that the student who doesn't want to learn the script will not find the lesson texts written in both Latin letters and script.

This has been helpful to clarify some issues that the lessons on Duolingo don't spell out. A bit complicated, but then Hebrew is not an easy language. Glad I bought it.

I’ve been studying Hebrew for years now and supplementing my study by reading books on Hebrew. This is THE book that I’ve been looking for.

I bought three Hebrew books for self learning. This one is pretty good, although probably its major fail its that does not help you with the accent in speaking. Its fully nikud, which is very good. I would recommend it, but if your are planning on learning from cero, you should also buy some other books, Routledge Introductory course on Modern Hebrew is a very good option also... both books cover the same aspects, but your vocabulary will be expanded...This book is also a great choice!!!I bought this book used, and it was in excellent condition...

I just received this book so im not 100% sure about the contents but the book did come pre used with a rip in the front cover and bends on both the front and the back. Not so upset about that because im just using it for learning so what does a couple rips do but do think $30 was a bit pricy for it Considering it being used, ripped and bent.

This book is excellent. It's very grammar focused such that reading anything in Hebrew becomes fair game, and there's a nice set of vocabulary which seems very relevant for understanding both modern and Biblical Hebrew. The exercises are excellent (and interesting) as well and help you to review former sections. Figure that it will take ~100 hours to make it through the ~75 sections of the book. It would be good to have a Hebrew-speaking friend to consult in terms of accentuation.

good in theory

Better if you re already familiar with the hebrew alphabet. But if not, it will take you just more time if you really work at it. This is one of the best if not the best course in Hebrew I ve followed. It actually explains to you how the language works grammatically. The vocabulary you learn is a mix between modern and ancient [torah] so that by the end of the book you ll even be able to read and understand large chuncks of the Tanack [Bible in Hebrew]. Texts, exercices, small dictionnary at the back, this course has it all. Note: it teaches you academic Hebrew, not slang or short sentences for a holiday in Israel. But once you know the real Hebrew it will be easy for you to transition to more street contemporary Hebrew: if you know the real stuff, you can easily get the more mundane easy stuff.

הספר הזה טוב מאוד. אני כותב את הזה עם עברית שאני לומדתי בספר הזה :)

Fantastic.

I think the book is extremely helpful- I would have just liked there to be the answers perhaps at the back of the book to check the exercises.However, it is an excellent way to learn Hebrew.