Joshua ben Israel Benveniste

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Joshua ben Israel Benveniste (c. 1590-c. 1668) was the brother of Chaim Benveniste, and a disciple of Joseph Trani.

He was a physician and rabbi at Constantinople in 1660, and was the author of the following works: Ozne Yehoshua (The Ears of Joshua), sermons for the Sabbath and special occasions (Constantinople, 1677); Sedeh Yehoshua (Fields of Joshua), a commentary on several tracts of the Talmud Yerushalmi (ib. 1662, 1749); Abodah Tammah (Perfect Service), a commentary on the service for the Day of Atonement (ib. 1719-20); Seder ha-Geṭ, on the formula for divorce, written at Brusa and published at Constantinople, 1719. Benveniste's collection of responsa, Sha'ar Yehoshua (Gate of Joshua), was destroyed by fire; but several of his responsa are included in the collections of Moses Benveniste and Joseph Trani.

Benveniste 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.

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