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] 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).

[5] While serving as Chief Rabbi of Kraków, Spira refused a salary.