Naphtali Herz Wessely

A product of Enlightenment-era Germany, Wessely came from a wealthy family with business connections to many of the leaders of Europe. He studied Torah under Rabbi Yochanan Eybeschutz, but received a broad education as well. Later, he worked with Moses Mendelssohn on the Biur translation of the Torah into German, and also wrote many other works. He became controversial for his vigorous support for the study of German and secular studies in Jewish schools.