Derushei Chefetz. Signature of Rabbi Shalom Mordechai HaKohen Schwadron – The Maharsham of Berezhany.

Derushei Chefetz. Signature of Rabbi Shalom Mordechai HaKohen Schwadron – The Maharsham of Berezhany.

Derushei Chefetz, homilies by Rabbi Shmuel Nachum HaLevi, Av Beit Din of Vahanilov, Lubitshov, and Leżajsk. Lemberg, 1880.

The author, Rabbi Shmuel Nachum HaLevi Gassenboir (c. 1800–1857), was a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Yozfa HaLevi Stern, Av Beit Din of Zolkiew, author of Yad Yosef, and Rabbi Yaakov Meshulam Ornstein of Lviv, author of Yeshuot Yaakov. He was a chassid of the Saraf, Rabbi Uri of Strelisk, and his disciple, Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi of Stretin. He served as a rabbi in Vahanilov from 1837, in Lubitshov from 1839, and in Leżajsk from 1855.

The book was given from the author.

On the title page, a handwritten inscription: HaKatan Shalom Mordechai HaKohen, Av Beit Din of Berezhany.

Rabbi Shalom Mordechai HaKohen Schwadron (1835–1911), known as the Maharsham of Berezhany, was one of the greatest halachic authorities of Galicia, widely recognized throughout the Jewish world. Even Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, the Chafetz Chaim, consulted him on halachic matters.

The Maharsham received his rabbinic ordination at a very young age from Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson of Lviv. He served as rabbi in Potok-Złoty (1867–1871), later in Yazlowitz (where he authored his work Mishpat Shalom, with the approbation of his teacher), and then in Buczacz. In 1881, he was appointed Av Beit Din of Berezhany, succeeding the great Rabbi Yitzchak Shmelkish.

As a young man, the Maharsham was a devoted chassid of Rabbi Shalom Rokeach, the Sar Shalom of Belz. Chassidic tradition states that the Belzer Rebbe instructed him to always follow the path of leniency in halacha, except in matters of family purity and Shabbat observance.

He later became close to Rabbi Meir of Premishlan, and eventually became a chassid of the Rebbe of Chortkov. In his later years, he was known to frequent the court of the Rebbe of Husiatyn.

Among his works:

Shu”t Maharsham (10 volumes of responsa)

Other halachic and homiletic writings

68 leaves. 25 cm.

Condition: Very good. Reinforcement stickers on the title page.