(Ben Israel), a celebrated rabbi, born in Portugal about the year 1604, was the son of Joseph Ben Israel, and followed his father into Holland, where 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 succeeded him in the synagogue of Amsterdam, in which post he continued several years, and married Rachel of the family of the Abarbanels, whom the Jews imagine to be descended from king David. He afterwards went Mencke went to his brother Ephraim, a rich merchant, who had settled at Basil; by whose advice he entered into Mendicants trade. Some time after, the hopes of a more agreeable 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. However, he soon after passed into Zealand; and died at Middleburg about the year 1657. The Jews at Amsterdam obtained his body, and interred it at their expense. 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 English. 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 mortuorum. 3. De termino vite. 4. Dissertatio de fragilitate humana, ex lapso Adami, deque Divino in bono opere auxilio. 5. Spes Israel.

Dr Thomas Poococke has written his life in English.