Gotthold Lessing's Die Juden (The Jews) is a one-act comedy from 1749, but don't let the date fool you. The setup is simple and brilliant.

The Story

A Traveler, who is Jewish, is journeying with his servant when their carriage breaks down. They seek help from a local Landlord, a Christian who is immediately rude and suspicious. Seeing a chance for profit, the Landlord tries to cheat and rob his guest, believing Jewish people are easy targets. What he doesn't know is that a Christian Officer, who had earlier been saved from bandits by a mysterious stranger, is also staying at the inn. As the Landlord's scheme unravels, identities are revealed, and everyone's assumptions are turned upside down.

Why You Should Read It

I loved how this tiny play dismantles bigotry with wit, not just preaching. The Jewish Traveler is the smartest, most honorable person in the room. His calm intelligence completely flips the script on the Landlord's ugly stereotypes. It's satisfying to watch the bully get his comeuppance through sheer reason and revealed truth. Lessing isn't just attacking anti-Semitism; he's asking us why we're so quick to believe the worst about entire groups of people.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone interested in the roots of Enlightenment thinking, fans of sharp social satires, or readers who enjoy a compact, clever story where the underdog wins with brains, not brawn. It's a historical artifact that speaks directly to our present, and you can read it in one sitting. A quiet little revolutionary act in the form of a play.