Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Hakohen Schwadron zt"l
Known as the Maharsham
Rabbi of Yazlowitz, Butschatch, Brezan
Author: Daas Torah, Teshovos Maharsham, Techeles Mordechai
16 Shevat 5671
When the Maharsham was young he would learn sixteen hours a day. He had a Seder to learn four Dapim of Gemarah with Rashi and Tosfot in depth and sixteen Dapim of Gemarah, Rashi, Tosfos Bekius. He also had a Seder to learn Tur, Shulchan Aruch with all the commentaries.
During the long winter nights when he felt tired and was scared he would fall asleep he had a nail that was in the ceiling and he took a string, tied one end to the nail and the other to his Peios so if he would fall asleep the string would pull his hair and wake him up. This way he trained himself until he got used to sleeping two or three hours a day.
As a young boy of thirteen, he was learning with his Chavrusah in Shul and Rabbi Yosaef Shaul Natanzon, the author of the Shoel Umeishiv walked in. He saw the two boys learning and asked them a riddle connected to their studies. He told them that he would return in half an hour.
The young Shalom Mordechai spent a few minutes trying to come up with an answer but wasn’t successful. So he decided to continue with his studies. Whereas his Chavrusah spent all the time trying to work out an answer. After half an hour the Shoel Umeishiv returned. The Chavrusah tried telling over his answer but it wasn’t the right answer. Then he asked the Maharsham. The boy answered, “I tried to think of an answer for a few minutes but after that I decided to give up and instead utilize the time continuing learning a few Blatt Gemarah instead.” The Shoel Umeishiv was so impressed that he went over to the father of the Maharsham and told him that he is certain that his son will grow up to be a Gadol in Klal Yisrael.
After his marriage he was supported by his father in law for a few years. But then his mother in law passed away so he left back to his home town. He helped his wife set up a store and occasionally helped her out. During this time he reviewed Shulchan Aruch four hundred times. He also set up a business to sell wood. He had someone who ran the business for him. After a time the man passed away.
The Dream Visitor
A few days later the man started coming to the Maharsham in a dream and asked him to give him his orders that he could go and bring him his wood. The Maharsham replied, “you aren’t alive anymore. Go, rest in peace.” The Maharsham would then light candles and learn Mishnayos in his memory.
This happened quite a few times and the Maharsham would give him the same reply and he would then light candles and learn Mishnayos Le’ilui Nishmaso. Once he came and told the Maharsham that this is the last time he is coming to him. He then told the Maharsham that the reason he had been coming was because he had many sins that needed putting right and he wasn’t even able to go into Gehinom. So he would come to him (the Maharsham) and since his Torah study was so respected in Heaven, everytime he studied and lit candles it gave him peace for a few days and eased his suffering. And after a few days he would be woken up and beaten so badly, so he would return. But finally He had been allowed to go to his final resting place. He thanked the Maharsham for his eternal kindness.
Before he left, the Maharsham asked him if he could tell him what goes on in Heaven. The man replied that he isn’t allowed to tell out but this is what he can tell. In Gan Eden there are many Yeshivos and rooms. And in the same way there were many different groups in this world with their Yeshivos and studies, so too there is in Heaven. By each group, the great Tzaddikim sit in a room which is so extravagant that it isn’t possible to explain and no one can even see them. Then there is a room of Tamidei Chachamim learning in rooms full of gold and diamonds, studying Gemarah, Mishnayos, Halacha, Tenach. Each group has their separate room. It is impossible to explain the eternal pleasure they are having in Heaven. No worldly pleasures come close to their pleasures.
Then there are those that never learned in this world and don’t have the merit to be in those rooms, but they still did Mitzvos, so they have the merit to stand outside and listen to the sweetness of their studies; and if someone has greater merits that they can look inside through a window and look at the faces of these Tzaddikim and Talmidei Chachamim as they study, some learning from Hashem Himself, others from Eliyahu Hanavi, depending on how they behaved and prepared themselves in this world. And the pleasure of just listening, all the more being able to watch is way way greater than any worldly pleasures possible. The man continued to tell the Maharsham that he didn’t merit to be able to watch, he can only listen, but the pleasure is millions of times more than any worldly pleasure possible.
Before he left, the Maharsham asked him if he knows where his mother is? The man replied that she is serving Yehoshua bin Nun. The man left and never returned.
