Sholom Mordechai Schwadron

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Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Schwadron, (1835-1911), (Hebrew: שלום בן משה הכהן שוודרן), was known by his acronym Maharsham. He was a foremost halachic authority and his main works "Shailos Uteshuvot Marsham" and "Daas Torah" are widely studied sources of practical Jewish law.

He also authored ""Techeiles Mordechai" , A Three Volume Commentary of the Torah.

He was born in 1835 in Złoczów to Moshe Schwadron, a torah scholar, and studied under Rabbi Yoel Ashkenazy. After his marriage he was bequeathed a wood business and was hesitant to become a rabbi. However, he did so at the age of 31.

It is known that after each din Torah (case in a rabbinical court), he would explain to the loser the reason he lost until he understood clearly. If the person was unable to understand, he would tell him "You must have a good friend or family member that is a Torah scholar. Send him to me and I will explain it to him so you will feel that you were done justice."

He lived in Berezhany where he acquired the nickname Gaon of Berezhany. He died there in 1911. His grandson, Rabbi Sholom Schwadron, was known as the "Maggid of Jerusalem."

His Daughter, Chana Sura, married Rabbi Sholom Shapiro, The Rabbi and Av Beit Din of Lanchin, Poland. Their Son, Grand Rebbe Pinchos Shapiro, was the Grand Rebbe of Kechneye, and The Father in Law of the Current Kaliver Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Menachem Mendel Taub.