Modern Hebrew: An Essential Grammar (Third Edition)

This grammar by Lewis Glinert “aims to serve as a reference source for the learner and user of Hebrew irrespective of level.” I did not, however, find that it was appropriate for my truly beginning level, even as my beginning level became less beginnerish, so I am recommending it for intermediate and advanced learners.

Modern Hebrew: An Essential Grammar might also be fine for more advanced beginners who have a tutor or teacher to help them.

I read up to page 63 and enjoyed it, but it was just too difficult for me. The exercises at the back would have been beyond me—I needed a more basic book to warm me up first! And seriously, just looking at the first two translated sample sentences on page 3, I think the vocabulary is a little esoteric. One of the sentences is “Yoram floats,” and the other is “Yoram’s uptight.” Short, yes. Basic vocabulary? No.

As you might guess from those examples, there is an often casual, colloquial emphasis in Modern Hebrew. The idea is to give you guidance on the “most important aspects of modern Hebrew as used by contemporary native speakers of the language.”

These Routledge grammars are responsible and careful books, and I like the design, but I have not to date found them to be the most effective self-help learning tools out there.