Hasidic commentary to the Pentateuch by R. Naphtali Zevi b. Menahem Mendel Horowitz of Ropshitz (1760-1827). He was born on the day the Baal Shem Tov died, and he proved to be one of the Besht’s primary successors. During his early years he studied in the Yeshiva of R. Meshulem Igra, where his fellow students were R. Mordecai Benet and R. Jacob Lorberbaum, who were to become two of the leading scholars of the next generation. R. Naphtali then traveled to the court of R. Elimeleh of Lizensk, in time he was associated with the greatest zaddikim of the time, particularly R. Mendel of Riminov, R. Jacob Isaac of Lublin (the Hozeh), and R. Israel of Koznitz.

R. Naphtali is a crucial figure in the development of Galician Hasidus and there are many “minhagei Ropshitz”, which are followed in Galicia. He was known for his profound wisdom, sharp sense of humor and musical gifts. He insisted that young men should devote themselves exclusively to Torah study and not be involved in Hasidus until they were 25. In his later years he perceived that some Hasidim followed Hasidic practices but were negligent in basic halakhic requirements, such as timely prayer and shemah, and questioned if it would not be better if the Hasidic way were replaced by greater concentration on Torah study. He emphasized the power of prayer and stressed that a person must be able to pray in all circumstances and never say “I don’t have the head for prayer now”. In answer to the question how can a zaddik undo a divine decree, he replied that through his actions and prayer a zaddik creates a new world, to which the old decree does not apply. He commented that Moses was shown each generation first, and then shown their leaders, because he might be dismayed at seeing Naphtali as a leader. However, having first seen the generation, he understood that Naphtali was appropriate for his generation.

R. Naphtali refused to give permission for the publication of his writings, but with the concurrence of his famous disciple, R. Hayyim Sanzer, his two works, Zerah Kodesh and Ayala Sheluha were finally published.