Nathan Nata Spira

Nathan Nata Spira
Rabbi Spira's grave in the Remah Cemetery, Krakow
Born	1585 (1585)
Died	20 July 1633(1633-07-20) (aged 47–48) Kraków, Poland
Occupation	Chief Rabbi of Kraków
Spouse	Roza (Chayes-Altschuler) Spira
Parent	Solomon Spira

Nathan Nata Spira (Hebrew : נָתָן נָטָע שַׁפִּירָא‎; ^[a] 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]

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.

External links

• Nathan Nata Shapiro, Chief Rabbi of Cracow, 1585-1633