נפתלי הירץ טריוויש

Naphtali Hirsch ben Eliezer Treves was a kabalist and Rabbinic scholar of the 16th century who officiated as Hazzan and rabbinic judge in Frankfort-on-the-Main. He was the author of Mala Ha'aretz Deah (1560), a famous cabalistic commentary on the Siddur (prayer-book), printed at Thüngen by his son Rav Eliezer Treves, Chief Rabbi of Frankfurt, and also of Naftule Elokim, an index to Bahya ben Asher's commentary on the Pentateuch. The preface to the Naftule Elokim consists partly of the result of private studies and partly of quotations from other cabalistic works. Treves also wrote, a supercommentary on Rashi, which is still extant. Naphtali Hirz engaged in disputations with Christian scholars, and he made comments on the pronunciation of German language. He is especially important for his accounts of Jewish customs and ceremonies.