Hebrew is both the language of the Ancient Israel of biblical times and the modern language of  Israel's daily life and culture. Your knowledge of Hebrew is  a key that will unlock the riches of the Biblical Heritage along with the immense sea  of post-biblical Jewish texts , and the full range of Israeli  cultural expression. With this key you can enter the modern world of radio, TV, film,  newspaper, and the fine arts. You can communicate with Hebrew speakers in Israel and world-wide.

This book recognizes that Hebrew study has entered a new phase.  By learning Modern Hebrew in tandem with some biblical Hebrew grammar, the learner can have the best of both worlds. The language, once almost exclusively studied by Jews, and in Jewish communal settings, has burst its traditional confines. Today the language is spoken by 9 million people worldwide. Hebrew is one of two official languages in Israel whose current population is 9.3 million people. Hebrew is also studied in the seminaries of many religions around the world.

Hebrew is becoming a subject to be studied, mastered, and appreciated by all regardless of their religious or ethnic origins. Because of the international relations that exist with the State of Israel and widespread interest in Jews and their culture, Hebrew is now studied throughout the world. So today, a Japanese or Chinese speaker of Hebrew causes no more surprise than a Chinese individual who knows French.  Hebrew studies are now pursued as every other academic discipline in North America.