The reader consists of 40 stories written in simple Chinese. The majority of the stories revolve around the life of David, an Israeli student taking his first steps in learning the Chinese language. Other stories are based on well known stories and anecdotes adapted from the Chinese tradition to match the level of the Israeli student. The stories are marked by usage of a variety of words and expressions used in everyday situations in China. Each story has alongside the Chinese its Hebrew translation, and above each Chinese character is its phonetic reading written in Pin-Yin, the official phonetic system used in the People’s Republic of China. The reader is designed for use by beginner level students and is focused on improving the student’s ability in reading and comprehending short texts.

Sabbatai Zevi (1626-1676) stirred up the Jewish world of the mid-seventeenth century by claiming to be the messiah, then stunned it by suddenly converting to Islam. His story, and that of the movement he created, is a landmark event in early modern Jewish history and a dramatic example of what can happen when mystic dreams and messianic hopes combine in an explosive mixture. Now, for the first time, English readers can experience these events through the words of those who lived through them, in lucid and compelling translations by a leading authority in the field. Of the contemporary 'testimonies' translated by David J. Halperin, three are accounts by Sabbatai Zevi's followers of the life and deeds of their messiah. These are the Najara Chronicle, an eyewitness narrative which Gershom Scholem called 'one of the most extraordinary documents shedding light on Sabbatai's personality'; Baruch of Arezzo's Memorial to the Children of Israel, a sober yet devout biography of Sabbatai written shortly after his death; and the bizarrely fanciful hagiography composed in 1692 by Abraham Cuenque of Hebron. These 'believers' narratives' are supplemented by two seventeenth-century letters, pungent in their style and colourful in their details, in which Sabbatai and his followers are described by a contemporary rabbi who detested them and everything they stood for. Finally, a reminiscence of Sabbatai's last days, preserved by one of the most independent-minded of his followers, conveys the enigma of the man that was to haunt the generations.

Student feedback video The updated version of this widely-used Modern Hebrew grammar textbook is now available in print and digital formats. The book includes easy-to-understand explanations of Hebrew grammar in English, with examples in Hebrew with English translations. The chapter on full spelling has been updated in accordance with the new guidelines of the Hebrew Language Academy. Highly recommended as an accompaniment to classroom, online or independent study and as a guide for teachers. The topics covered are those studied at the beginning and intermediate levels. Many advanced students and teachers have found Easing to be an important reference tool. The book features: - Explanations in non-technical English - Examples in Hebrew accompanied by English translations - Frequent use of vowel signs and transcriptions to aid in pronunciation - Color for highlighting the focus of discussion - Ample exercises with answers for self-check - Helpful charts and lists for easy reference - Easy access to topics through chapter Previews, English Subject Index and Hebrew Word Index

These audio sequences accompany the first part of Foundations of Standard Arabic. The book's purpose is to impart reading and writing skills in Arabic for the beginner student. In a relatively short time, the student will be able to read simple texts and easy articles from the Arabic press. The vocabulary introduced is broad and varied. It includes words and expressions from daily life as well as journalistic terms. The teaching method of this book is based on the theory that Arabic should be taught in Arabic: the student is asked to change sentences, to complete sentences, ask and answer questions in Arabic, and spell sentences in Arabic in order to create a flow in expression (oral and written), to deepen the proficiency of the language and assimilate the vocabulary.

Includes an audio CD.