Chaim Benveniste (1603–1673) was a prominent rabbinic authority in 17th century Turkey. He was a student of

Rabbi A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as '' semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form o ...

Joseph Trani Joseph Trani (1568–1639) or Joseph di Trani was a Talmudist of the latter part of the 16th century who lived in Greece. By contemporary scholars he was called Mahrimat (), and regarded as one of the foremost Talmudists of his time. Today he is mo ...

and a brother of Joshua Benveniste. Born in Constantinople, he was appointed Rabbi of Tita (a town near İzmir) in 1644. In 1658, he was appointed one of the rabbis of İzmir. He initially followed Shabtai Tzvi, but later repented.

Writings

He authored several scholarly works, most notably the widely cited ''Shiyurei Kenesset HaGedolah'' and ''Kenesset HaGedolah'',

halakhic ''Halakha'' (; he, הֲלָכָה, ), also transliterated as ''halacha'', ''halakhah'', and ''halocho'' ( ), is the collective body of Jewish religious laws which is derived from the written and Oral Torah. Halakha is based on biblical commandm ...

commentaries to the Arba'ah Turim and Shulhan Arukh. These two commentaries are characterized by extensive analysis of halakhic sources from the mid-16th century to the mid-17th century. The Chida recommended that these commentaries be consulted prior to rendering any halakhic decision. He also compiled the two volume Questions and Responsa, ''Ba'ei Chayei'', covering the four sections on the '' Shulhan Arukh''.

References

1603 births 1673 deaths Rabbinic legal texts and responsa 17th-century rabbis from the Ottoman Empire Rabbis from Istanbul Authors of books on Jewish law {{Judaism-bio-stub