Samuel Edels (1555–1631), was a renowned rabbi and Talmudist famous for his commentary on the Talmud, Chiddushei Halachot. Edels is also known as Maharsha מהרש"א (Hebrew acronym for: "Our Teacher, Rabbi Shmuel Edels").

Biography

The Maharsha was born in Cracow, Poland. His father, Yehuda, was a Talmudist; both parents were descendants of rabbinic families. On his mother's side, the Maharsha was the great-grandson of Rabbi Yehuda Loew, the Maharal of Prague. The Maharsha rejected several rabbinic positions, asserting that he wanted to devote himself solely to Torah study. He married the daughter of Edel Lifschitz of Posen and the late Moshe Lifschitz, rabbi of Brisk. The Maharsha moved to Posen and he established a yeshiva there. For twenty years all the expenses of the yeshiva were assumed by his mother-in-law. 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. Edels was active in the Council of Four Lands.

Works

Chiddushei Halachot (חידושי הלכות Novellae in Jewish Law) is an "incisive and keenly analytical" commentary on the Talmud, Rashi and Tosafot together. It is said that if one grasps the Maharsha, then one has understood the Tosafot. This commentary was quickly accepted and was printed in almost all editions of the Talmud. Chiddushei Halachot is based on Maharsha's teaching in his yeshiva, and he refrained from printing his commentary on those pages that were studied while he served on the Council of Four Lands.

The Maharsha also wrote an extensive commentary on the aggadot of the Talmud known as the Chiddushei Aggadot (חידושי אגדות Novellae in Aggada) reflecting a wide knowledge of philosophy and Kabbalah.

External links

• Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Edels (MaHarSha) (ou.org)
• Reb Shmuel Eliezer Halevi Eidels (famousrabbis.com)
• Samuel Eliezer Aidles (jewishhistory.org.il)