Rabbi Natan Neta Shapira: The Brilliant Mind Who Revealed the Torah’s Hidden Depths

Rabbi Natan Neta Shapira was one of the great rabbis of Poland and among the most prominent kabbalists of his era. He is known by the name of his famous work, Megaleh Amukot (“Revealer of Depths”). His yahrzeit is on the 13th of Av.

At just 31 years old, he was appointed as the head of the yeshiva and the official preacher (darshan) of the Jewish community of Kraków.

He performed all his communal responsibilities not for personal gain, supported charitable institutions, donated holy vessels, and contributed valuable textiles for the synagogue.

He Taught His Students Talmud Using the Method of Pilpul

In the yeshiva, he taught the revealed Torah (Nigleh) through deep analytical reasoning and dialectics. The Talmud and its commentaries were fluent on his lips; he often quoted the Rif and the Tur by heart.

When he delivered public sermons on Shabbat — either in his study hall or in Kraków’s old synagogue, he incorporated the teachings of Kabbalah.

He Expounded on Every Letter, Stroke, and Word Combination

He would interpret every tag (crown) and tiny stroke of a Torah letter, and from word combinations and numerical patterns he would build entire conceptual structures, revealing hidden kabbalistic secrets encoded in the Torah’s letters.

His sermons captivated his listeners, and through his influence, the number of students engaging in Torah study greatly increased.

He Authored Fifteen Works in Both Revealed and Hidden Torah

Seven of his works are commentaries on the Torah. Some of his writings were published, while others remain in manuscript.

His works include:

• 1,000 commentaries on the small letter “Aleph” in the word Vayikra. Most were lost.

• A commentary on the Zohar, published during his lifetime.

• Chiddushei Anshei Shem – on the Rif.

• Megaleh Amukot on the Torah.

• Megaleh Amukot containing 252 interpretations (RNB) explaining Moses’ prayer “Let me pass over” (Deuteronomy 3:25), published in Kraków in 1636.

According to tradition, he intended to write 1,000 interpretations, but suddenly the light in his windows went out.

His students recorded: “And God said to him: ‘Do not reveal more than 252. For you, that is enough. And ascend to the top of the mountain.’” (from the introduction to Megaleh Amukot)

His Father-in-Law Built Him a Private Mikveh and Study House

His father-in-law constructed a mikveh and a synagogue specifically for his renowned son-in-law. There, Rabbi Natan would seclude himself with his Creator and study Torah day and night. People said that the light in his windows never went out.

He Observed Tikkun Chatzot Every Night

He accepted upon himself the practice of Tikkun Chatzot — lamenting the destruction of the Temple at midnight. In the introduction to Megaleh Amukot, his son wrote: “He sang songs at night over the destruction of Ariel (the Temple) and the once-glorious city.”

He Was Among Those Who Merited a Revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi

His son testified that once, while he was performing Tikkun Chatzot according to the intentions of the Ari and singing the celestial melodies sung by the upper angels during the three night watches, a man clothed in a garment of hair appeared to him and said: “Thus and thus does the Heavenly entourage lament.”

Rabbi Natan saw him standing there with his own eyes.

He Is Buried in the Ancient Jewish Cemetery of Kraków

He was laid to rest in the historic Jewish cemetery of Kraków, where his wife and daughter are also buried.

His gravestone reads: “Here lies a holy man from ancient times, who revealed deep secrets and hidden treasures. They say of him that he spoke with Eliyahu face to face.”