Joshua ben Israel Benveniste

The title page of Sedeh Yehoshua (1662 Edition)

Joshua ben Israel Benveniste (c. 1590 – c. 1668) was a Sephardic Jewish physician and rabbi at Constantinople. He was the brother of Chaim Benveniste, and a disciple of Joseph Trani. His works include sermons, a commentary on the Jerusalem Talmud, a treatise on the high holiday prayer service, and a study of Jewish divorce laws. Despite his significant contributions, many of his works remain in manuscript form.[1]

Life

Benveniste was brother of Hakham Chaim Benveniste, renowned for his influential work, ''Kenesset ha-Gedolah''. Both Joshua and Hayyim studied under Hakham Joseph Trani at the yeshivah in Constantinople.[1]

Hakham Joshua Benveniste was recognized for his extensive contributions to Jewish scholarship and practice, and was also known for his role as a physician.[1] He prepared (1) Mishmeret Ha-Miẓvot (Observance of the Commandments), a metrical version of the Azharot, with commentary; and (2) Lebush Malkut (Royal Garment), a hymn in the style of Gabirol's Royal Crown, of which medical science constitutes the foundation. Azulai claims to have seen both of these writings in manuscript at the house of a rabbi in Constantinople.

Benveniste authored thousands of responsa, though a large portion of this collection was lost in a fire.[1] The surviving responsa were later published in Hungary at the beginning of the 20th century.[1]

Works

He wrote the following works:

  • Abodah Tammah (Perfect Service), a commentary on the service for the Day of Atonement (ib. 1719-20)
  • Ozne Yehoshua (The Ears of Joshua), sermons for the Sabbath and special occasions (Constantinople, 1677)
  • Sedeh Yehoshua (Fields of Joshua), a commentary on several tractates of the Talmud Yerushalmi (ib. 1662, 1749)
  • Seder ha-Geṭ, on the formula for divorce, written at Brusa and published at Constantinople, 1719
  • Sha'ar Yehoshua (Gate of Joshua), Benveniste's collection of responsa, seems to have been destroyed by fire; with several of his responsa are included in the collections of Moses Benveniste and Joseph Trani. However, a manuscript of the author was found in the early 20th century and published in 1904 (Hustin).

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Goldish, Matt (2008). Jewish questions: responsa on Sephardic life in the early modern period. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press. pp. lviiii. ISBN 978-0-691-12264-9.

Sources

Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography