Bennett, Salomon. The Present Reign of the Synagogue of Duke’s Place Displayed in a Series of Critical, Theological and Rabbinical Discussions on a Hebrew Pamphlet entitled Minchath Kenauth (Avenge Offer).

(ANGLO-JUDAICA).

By the author

London

1818

FIRST EDITION . English text interspersed with Hebrew. With engraved self-portrait frontispiece of the author. An uncut copy.

Salomon (Yom Tov) Bennett (1761-1838) a striking personality within London Jewry, was a multi-talented individual: A professional engraver (with membership in the Royal Academy in Berlin) and author of theological, exegetical and polemical works who had a series of contretemps with Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschell. The present vociferous literary attack against the Chief Rabbi relates to the publication of Elements of Faith (London, 1815), a handbook for Jewish children written by Salomon Jacob Cohen that appeared under Hirschell’s patronage and that Bennett regarded as being heretical. From Bennett’s present work, we obtain a most unflattering picture of the Chief Rabbi, the “Proud Pontiff,” who “formed prosecutions and plans with those who cringe under his government to obstruct all intercourse among our nation.” Throughout, Bennett is highly critical of the rabbi’s indifference to the lax religious practices of the Jews of England. See A. Barnett, “Solomon Bennett: Artist, Hebraist and Controversialist,” Jewish Historical Society of England, Transactions, Vol. XVII, pp. 91-111. <