Chaim Benveniste

Who was Chaim Benveniste?

Chaim Benveniste was a prominent rabbinic authority in 17th century Turkey. He was a student of Rabbi Joseph Trani and a brother of Joshua Benveniste. Born in Constantinople, he was appointed Rabbi of Tita in 1644. In 1658, he was appointed one of the rabbis of İzmir. He authored several scholarly works, most notably the widely cited Shiyurei Kenesset HaGedolah and Kenesset HaGedolah, halakhic commentaries to the Arba'ah Turim and Shulchan Aruch. 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.