Nathan Nata Spira

Nathan Nata Spira (Hebrew: נָתָן נָטָע שַׁפִּירָא‎;[lower-alpha 1] 1585 – 20 July 1633) was a Polish rabbi and kabbalist, who served as Chief Rabbi of Kraków. A student of Meir Lublin, Spira played an important role in spreading Isaac Luria's teachings throughout Poland.[1] Spira was the author of a number of works, most notably the Megaleh Amukot.[2]

Nathan Nata Spiro
Rabbi Spira's grave in the Remah Cemetery, Krakow
Born1585
Died20 July 1633
Kraków, Poland
NationalityPolish
OccupationChief Rabbi of Kraków
SpouseRoza (Chayes-Altschuler) Spira
ParentSolomon Spiro

Biography

Spira descended from a rabbinical family, which traced its lineage as far back to Rashi, the noted 11th-century French commentator.[3] He was named after his grandfather Nathan Nata Spira, who was rabbi in Hrodna and author of Mevo Shearim (1575) and Imrei shefer (1597).[4][2] His father was Solomon Spira.[2]

Spira had seven children, three sons and four daughters.[5] While serving as Chief Rabbi of Kraków, Spira refused a salary.[2] He is buried in the Old Jewish cemetery in Kazimierz, Krakow.

Notes
  1. Also spelled Note (Yiddish: נאָטע‬).

References
  1. Sherwin, Byron L. (1997). Sparks Amidst the Ashes: The Spiritual Legacy of Polish Jewry. Oxford University Press US. pp. 43 & 65. ISBN 978-0-19-510685-5.
  2. Kayserling, Meyer; Schulim Ochser. "24. Nathan Nata Spira". Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  3. Gelles, Edward (2006). An Ancient Lineage: European Roots of a Jewish family: Gelles-Griffel-Wahl-Chajes-Safier-Loew-Taube. Vallentine Mitchell. p. 231. ISBN 978-0-85303-680-7.
  4. Elior, Rachel (2010). "Spira, Natan Note ben Shelomoh". YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe. Translated by Green, Jeffrey. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  5. Rafaeli, Esther (2004). The Modest Genius: Reb Aisel Harif. Devora Publishing. p. 324. ISBN 978-1-932687-04-0.
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