Grammatica Hebraica (Hebrew Grammar)

Part One, in which are shown all the rules necessary for understanding language, how to compose and write therein prose and verse, with the appropriate elegance and measure.

To the Reader:

Although I always believed (dear reader) that this art would be a very useful work, both for our Portuguese brethren and for the students who are beginning to enjoy some light from the holy tongue, I never thought to make it public until some gentlemen and friends encouraged me, and at their bidding I decided to show you this first part of the work, in which I explain to you everything that is necessary to speak it and understand it, dividing it (for greater clarity) into four treatises, of which the first three teach the entire art of grammar and in the fourth are shown the rules which must be followed in writing perfect prose; and afterwards I present poetry, explaining the method and weight that the verses in the holy tongue must have in order to be acceptable to Hebrew poets. Everything is set forth in the easiest style and clearest language possible. I value (dear reader) pleasing you and hope that my work may be of some use to you, which will encourage me to show the second part of this treasury, the roots of Hebrew, in an interesting way. Therefore, please accept willingly that my purpose is to be accurate and thus I embark upon this task with confidence in the Blessed God.