MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL, a celebrated rabbi,
born in Portugal about the year 1604, was the son
of Joseph Ben Israel, and followed his father into Hol-
land. Here he was educated by Rabbi Isaac Uziel,
under whom he in a short time made such progress in
the Hebrew tongue, that at 18 years of age he suc-
ceeded him in the synagogue of Amsterdam. In this
post he continued several years, and married Rachel of
the family of the Abarbanel, whom the Jews imagine
to be descended from King David. He afterwards
went to his brother Ephraim, a rich merchant, who
had settled at Basil; by whose advice he entered into
trade. Some time after, the hopes of a more agree-
able settlement induced him to come into England,
under the protectorship of Cromwell; who gave him a
very favourable reception, and one day entertained him
at his table with several other learned divines. How-
ever, he soon after passed into Zealand; and died at
Middleburg about the year 1657. The Jews at Am-
sterdam obtained his body, and interred it at their ex-
pence. He was of the sect of the Pharisees; had a
lively wit, a solid judgment, great learning, and all
the virtues that can adorn private life. He wrote
many works in Hebrew, Latin, Spanish, and Eng-
lish. The principal of those published in Latin, are,
1. His Conciliator; a learned and curious work, in
which he reconciles those passages of Scripture which
seem to contradict each other. 2. De resurrectione mor-
tuorum. 3. De termino vite. 4. Dissertatio de fragi-
VOL. XIII. Part II.
litute humana, ex lapsu Adam, de quo Divino in bono Menasseh
opere auxilio. 5. Spes Israel. Dr Thomas Pococke
has written his life in English. Mendez.