Benet (Benedict), Naphtali Ben Mordecai

Author and rabbi; born at the end of the eighteenth century; died October, 1857, at Schafa, Moravia, where he was rabbi. He was the author of the following works: (1) "Berit Melaḥ" (Covenant of Salt), Prague, 1816, a collection and explanation of the precepts in regard to the laws of salting the meat, in order to remove the blood (Yoreh De'ah, 69-78); (2) "Misped Gadol" (Great Mourning), Vienna, 1830, a eulogy on the death of his father, Mordecai Benet; (3) "Emunat Yisrael" (Israel's Faith), Prague, 1832, a Jewish catechism in Hebrew and German; (4) "Imre Shefer" (Goodly Words, Gen. xlix. 21), Presburg, 1840, a funeral oration on Moses Sofer; (5) "Torat Dat Mosheh we-Yisrael" (Doctrine of the Law of Moses and Israel), Prague, 1826, on the principles of the Jewish religion.

The catechism became very popular and passed through several editions. Though Benet's stand-point was strictly orthodox, he did not carry his orthodoxy to extremes, as can be seen from a correspondence with Isaac Samuel Reggio on the question of future punishment ("Kerem Ḥemed," i. 9), in which he shows himself vacillating on this point.

Benet's "Torat Dat Mosheh we-Yisrael" is also written from a moderate orthodox point of view; but he accepted his father's views in opposing the Reform movement, and assails Aaron Chorin as a man actuated by personal motives in advocating reform.

Bibliography:

  * Fürst, Bibl. Jud. i. 103;
  * Zedner, Cat. Hebr. Books Brit. Mus. p. 83.



L. G.