Traduzione di Elia Morpurgo de' Discorsi Ebraici di Tolleranza e Felicità

A freshly rendered Italian version of an 18th‑century Hebrew discourse invites listeners into a vibrant celebration of tolerance under the reign of Joseph II. The text, originally addressed to the Jewish community of Ancona, blends praise for the enlightened monarch with a heartfelt appeal for mutual respect and communal happiness. Its author, a leading figure among the local Jews, frames the emperor’s policies as a beacon of justice that lifts a beleaguered people toward a brighter future.

The opening chapters turn to the education of youth, arguing that a child’s mind, still unwritten, should be guided by moral virtue and the sacred teachings of Moses. The work divides instruction into two parts—ethical formation and divine law—emphasizing that true manhood arises from both. Accompanied by the translator’s thoughtful notes, the narration offers a window onto the period’s intellectual climate, inviting listeners to reflect on how timeless ideas of tolerance and proper upbringing still resonate today.