This dictionary is not for in-depth Hebrew word studies but is very useful for quick referencing of words. I often use it to look up a word that I have forgotten or to verify the meaning of a word. It is also great for use with the modern Hebrew language as that is its intended use. When looking up an English word to find the Hebrew, you will usually find several Hebrew words. I will then look up each Hebrew word to determine which one best fits the meaning that I am looking for. Another great advantage to this book are the very useful verb tables and grammatical tools. The Hebrew in this dictionary is in the Hebrew alphabet and so can only be used by those who know the Hebrew alphabet. The printing is not the best since it is a "Mass Market Paperback" but I have had mine for several years and use it often. It is a great reference tool.

Ben Yehuda's POCKET ENGLISH-HEBREW, HEBREW-ENGLISH DICTIONARY derives from the eight-volume DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS OF THE HEBREW LANGUAGE by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the father of modern Hebrew, and from new studies by his son, Ehud Ben-Yehuda, and David Weinstein.

This new work is designed expressly for the widest possible variety of interests and professions - for students, teachers, travelers, home and office libraries. In it you will find over 30,000 vocabulary entries,. alphabetically arranged. There is a comprehensive but compact explanation of grammar, including tables and irregular verbs. There are keys to proper pronunciation, abbreviations, up-to-date technical terms, examples of idiomatic usage, tables of numerals, weights, measures and currency.

Aimee Yermish from Redwood City, CA USA
I've had this dictionary around for many years (the binding has held up fine), and it's useful enough when you need to look up a word quickly, or if you know the word but aren't sure how it's spelled. However, if you are not already pretty good at Hebrew grammar (you don't need a rabbi, as another poster mentioned, but a good teacher or a good book/tape combo will be crucial), you won't be able to find words in the dictionary, because of the way Hebrew grammar changes the way things look. Also, the dictionary does not give any clue as to which of several possible meanings a word might have, if there is ambiguity in either language (a frequent occurrence). I am studying right now with several Israeli teachers, and they often tell me that the word I have found in the dictionary is "Shabbat language" -- in a word, archaic. The grammar and verb tables in the back are almost completely useless even *after* having studied those topics.

Instead of this book, get Edna Lauden's Rav-Milon (Multi-Dictionary), which has much more useful information, including usage, explanations of meanings, example sentences, and the like. It's more expensive, and you still need to know at least a little grammar to make use of it (as you would with *any* Hebrew dictionary), but it's far more useful than this one -- I have a lot more confidence that I'm not saying silly things by accident. ... check with your local Jewish book store.

A reader from Waterbury, CT United States
I First bought the book in 1961 when the plates were brand new. At that time it was a 5 star, and well made . Over the years I had to buy several replacements and slowly the plates have become nearly illegable. Also the last version I bought was only a few months ago and it has already started to fall apart due to a drop in manufacturing quality apparantly. I had hoped that new plates would be done and perhaps a better binding. However since I see similar recent complaints I gather this has not yet come to pass.

Timothy Lake from Oakwood OH USA
Although this book is small, affordable and readily available everywhere, I was actually able to study beginning Torah and modern Hebrew using it. I considered buying one of the more encyclopedic editions, but the Rabbi I was working with assured me that the Ben-Yehuda would be fine until I got into more advanced study. So if you're a beginner this is a good book to buy. However, I would also add this: don't try to teach yourself Hebrew. You need a good Rabbi to help you do this.

A reader from Missouri
I purchased this dictionary as I was looking for one with great insight into the hebrew language and the facets of various hebrew concepts. It is not lacking in this area, but my main problem with it is that the hebrew type is so small that sometimes a 'pe' (modified form of 'fe') appears as a large blot because of the dagesh in the center. Bad print. Also, the same night I finally got this book, a page came loose even with very careful handling. It is not placed together good at all, yet Ben-Yehuda's work does not fail. If it were manufactured with more care, I would have given it a 5.

Laura White from Andover, KS United States
This dictionary has many useful features for an advanced beginner to advanced student of modern Hebrew. Learn the alefbet first. The section of commonly used initials as well as the verb and number tables may take a little study, but once understood, they can be very helpful. I've used this dictionary for more than 15 years and found that most words I needed were there somewhere. As with many other foreign language dictionaries, I need to cross reference often. The book holds together well enough, but covering it with plastic will help it last longer. My copy is nearly 20 years old and still has all its pages.

marc bauer from EE.UU.
A knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet is about all a person needs with this dictionary. Probably one is better served by knowing more Hebrew with this dictionary. It is a dictionary on Modern Hebrew, and as such is not of as much use as a dictionary on Biblical Hebrew for me. I still like using it because it help explains those many terms that I don't know and are not "Biblical Hebrew." I have used Brown, Drivers, and Briggs' and it is over my head as are the new volumes of the Dictionary of Classical Hebrew from Sheffield (the first 4 volumes (of 8) are available.) The lexicographical theory in this dictionary is the one I am most comfortable with of the three.

A reader from Vancouver
This dictionary has been around for decades. It has been used extensively at school and home - it is far from the ultimate reference - but it is ideal for learning and reference. It is not a beginner's book - but one that beginner's often use ... and at the price, it is one of the best values for a Hebrew-Enlish-Hebrew dictionary.

JACQUELINE SMITH from The Great Country of America
I was searching for a Hebrew dictionary that would give alpha interpretation, rather than the Hebrew signs. I am interested in learning more about Hebrew words, but this particular dictionary does not meet my need because I have no background in the Hebrew language. This dictionary is not for the beginner.