The "Myth" of Literacy

Someone just sent me an email regarding one of today's postings in which I complained of the growing "illiteracy" of segments of Klal Yisroel. While my posting dealt specifically with secular subjects, the email took a position on literacy in general. The gist of the email is that Klal has always been a literate nation, unlike many other nations, and that we have been literate in more than one language--Hebrew and another language at the minimum.

Really? We have always been literate? All of Klal Yisroel? We have always been literate in Hebrew or "loshon Kodesh" if you will? Why does a Baal Tefila say "Chazores Ha'Shatz"--repetition of the Amidah? It was added to the davening because huge segments of Klal were NOT literate and could not say or read Shemoneh Esreh for themselves. By having the Baal Tefilah repeat it aloud these people could answer "Amen" to the brochos. Nor is this the only example.