Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Edels (MaHarSha)
(1555 - 1631)
Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Edels wrote one of the most
incisive and keenly analytical commentaries on the Talmud, Rashi and Tosofot. A model
of logic and terseness it was quickly accepted and was printed in almost
all editions of the Talmud. If one grasps the MaHarSha he has understood
the Tosofot. R. Shmuel also wrote an extensive commentary on the aggadot of the Talmud which reflects his wide knowledge of philosophy and Kabbalah. From the 16th to the 18th century, Jewish autonomy
reached its zenith in the Council of the Four Lands, through which the
Jewish provinces were administered. The Council met twice a year at
the Lublin and Yaroslav fairs. One of the greatest authorities of his
day, the MaHarSha was an outstanding figure at the meetings of the Council.
While away at the fairs he was absent from the Yeshiva when certain
pages of the Talmud were studied. Because he could not benefit from
the usual give and take when those pages were being studied, he refrained
from printing his commentary on those pages. (See his remark at the
end of the Seventh chapter of Shabbos and the Sixth chapter of Sanhedrin.)
For twenty years, MaHarSha directed the Yeshiva in
Posen. During this time all the expenses of the Yeshiva were assumed
by his mother-in-law, Edel. In appreciation of her support he adopted
her name. After her death he served as rabbi in the following prominent
communities: Chelm, Lublin and Ostrog. His commentary on Aggada contains
numerous references to the conditions and problems of his time. It also
includes his sharp critique of contemporary failings such as wealth
being a prerequisite to attaining positions in the community.
In his will, R. Yonah Landsofer admonishes his sons
to be sure to carefully study Tosofot with the MaHarSha, as his commentary
is true and profound and “the spirit of G-d spoke through him for without the holy spirit it would have been impossible
to compose such a work”.
The Hazon
Ish had this to say about study of the MaHarSha: “I cannot
refrain from pointing out that our generation has not done well in forsaking
study of the MaHarSha which is a wonderful gift granted to Israel...to
train them in laboring in Torah...which converts matter to spirit and
body to soul... This holy book is full of profound ideas and trains
a person in correct analysis. The Goan R. Akiva Eger did not neglect
any part of this work. From the day that this book was neglected the
understanding of Pshat was lost and students became accustomed to facile
analysis....”
On the door post of R. Shmuel’s house were inscribed
the words, “No sojourner spent the night outside, my door was always
open to the guest”. (Job 31:32)
Sources: Orthodox
Union |