(RaMCHa’L). LaYesharim Tehillah [morality play].

LUZZATTO, MOSHE CHAIM

The Proops Orphans

Amsterdam

1743

FIRST EDITION. Half-title in red. Title in red and black. Wide-margined, leaves uncut. ONE OF ONLY FIFTY COPIES PRINTED.

Vinograd, Amsterdam 1570; Mehlman 1306; Gans, Memorbook p.155.

EVIDENTLY, THE FIRST WORK OF A MODERN HEBREW LITERATURE. An ethical allegorical drama, penned by Luzzatto in honor of the marriage of his student Jacob de Haves to Rachel de Vega Henriques. With a masterly use of language, the work exercised strong influence in the development of the writings of the Early Haskalah. Numerous works of neo-Hebrew poetry were produced using Luzzatto’s LaYesharim Tehillah as a model. In the narrative here, Hamon (Excess) and Emeth (Truth) agree to have their respective children marry each other, promising Tehillah (Praise) to Yasher (Righteousness) (hence the title of the work). However, the match is put in doubt when Mevuchah (Bewilderment) captures the city and Yasher accidentally marries Rahav (Arrogance). A two-word marginal edit appears on f. 29b - likely in the hand of the Author. This correction was subsequently incorporated into later editions. The Ramchal (1707-46) emigrated from Padua to Amsterdam in order to take advantage of its more tolerant religious establishment. The rabbis in Italy had threatened him to cease his mystical revelations under penalty of excommunication. After eight years in Amsterdam during which time he wrote some of his most well-known works, he left for the Holy Land, arriving in Acre in 1743.