Meluchat Shaul (a Play) - the First Hebrew Drama of the Enlightenment Period - Lvov, 1820 - Rare!

Meluchat Shaul Ha'Melech Ha'Rishon al Yeshurun (The Monarchy of Saul, the First King of Yeshurun), [a play] in six acts, by Yosef Ha'Efrati of Tropplowitz (Silesia). Lemberg (Lvov), 1820. Revised, impressive second edition.
"Meluchat Shaul" is the first original, Hebrew drama that was printed during the Enlightenment period. The play describes in a unique manner the struggle between Saul and David. The book was first printed in 1794. In the edition before us, many corrections were made. The editor of this edition is the well-known scholar Yitzchak Ber Levinson., who writes in his introduction: "I have republished the book and reprinted it on high-quality paper … and I have reviewed the book and removed from it the many mistakes and errors which appeared in the first edition".

On the first leaf, the publisher writes "to the educated reader" praising the author.
On the last leaf of the book, the publisher printed a warning "by the great genius rabbi, Av Beit Din of our community, against printing the book during the next ten years ..."

Over the years, this important play was printed in many editions and was even translated into Yiddish at the time. To this day, the play is considered of great literary value. The book before us is the most well-known creation by the author, Yosef Ha'Efrati. According to Professor Yosef Klausner "this is the first original Hebrew drama of the Enlightenment period, which is worthy of this name". The play reflects ideas of equality and brotherhood, influenced by the spirit of the times in Europe. Researchers of the play point at the influence of the Ramchal and Rabbi Naftali Hirz Wessely on the author, and the play also reflects his faith in the Creator of the Universe.

Yosef Ha'Efrati of Tropplowitz (circa 1770-1804), a Hebrew poet and playwright. He published what he wrote in the journal "Ha'Me'asef". He published a lament named "Alon Bachut" for the death of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, the author of "Noda Bi'Yehuda", who was one of the leaders of the resistance to the Enlightenment Movement and which describes a reconciliation between him and Moshe Mendelson.

Extremely rare. In general, such an early play is most valuable and is almost never seen in auctions!
The complete book (except for the introduction) is Vowelized. On the Forsazt leaves, an ancient signature. On the title page, an interesting illustrated stamp.
[9], 72, [1] leaves.
Condition: Excellent. Impressive copy. Red edges. Nice, secured binding.