Discourse on the State of the Jews In 1638 a small book of no more than 92 pages in octavo was published appresso Gioanne Calleoni under the title Discourse on the State of the Jews and in particular those dwelling in the illustrious city of Venice. It was dedicated to the Doge of Venice and his counsellors who are labelled lovers of Truth. The author of the book was a certain Simone (Simḥa) Luzzatto a native of Venice where he lived and died serving as rabbi for over fifty years during the course of the seventeenth century.Luzzattos political thesis is simple and at the same time temerarious if not revolutionary: Venice can put an end to its political decline he argues by offering the Jews a monopoly on overseas commercial activity. This plan is highly recommendable because the Jews are wellsuited for trade much more so than others (such as foreigners for example). The rabbi opens his argument by recalling that trade and usury are the only occupations permitted to Jews. Within the confines of their historical situation the Venetian Jews became particularly skilled at trade with partners from the Eastern Mediterranean countries. Luzzattos argument is that this talent could be put at the service of the Venetian government in order to maintain or more accurately recover its political importance as an intermediary between East and West. He was the first to define the role of the Jews on the basis of their economic and social functions disregarding the classic categorisation of Judaisms alleged privileged religious status in world history.Nonetheless going beyond the socio economic arguments of the book it is essential to point out Luzzattos resort to sceptical strategies in order to plead in defence of the Venetian Jews. It is precisely his philosophical and political scepticism that makes Luzzattos texts so unique.This edition aims to grant access to his works and thought to English speaking readers and scholars. By approaching his texts from this point of view the editors hope to open a new path in research into Jewish culture and philosophy that will enable other scholars to develop new directions and new perspectives stressing the interpenetration between Jews and the surrounding Christian and secular cultures Frontmatter Preface Remarks Contents Discorso Circa Il Stato Degli Hebrei Et In Particolar Dimoranti NellInclita Città Di Venetia Luzzatto Simone Discourse On The State Of The Jews And In Particular Those Dwelling In The Illustrious City Of Venice Luzzatto Simone The Venetian Context Of The Discourse Ravid Benjamin Individual Responsibility and Collective Punishment in the Thought of Rabbi Simone Luzzatto Veltri Giuseppe Jews on Trial and Their Sceptical Attorney: Philosophic Scepticism and Political Thought in Simone Luzzattos Italian Works Lissa Anna Bibliography Glossary and Index of Names