The Maharsham’s father, Rav Moshe, was a talmid of Rav Meir of Premishlan, and he himself received semicha from the mechaber of Shoel UMeishiv and from Rav Shlomo Kluger of Brod. The Maharsham also traveled to see many Tzaddikim, including Belz, Stretin, Zidichov, and Tchortkov.
The Yeshuos Moshe of Vizhnitz related how his grandfather, the Ahavas Yisrael, sent his father, Rav Chaim Meir, to be tested for semicha by the Maharsham, the Gaon of Berzhon. He was not born as the Berzhoner Rav – he had to work at it, continued the Yeshuos Moshe. For example, every Shabbos he studied and completed the entire Maseches Shabbos. Do you have any idea what chazora on the entire Maseches Shabbos means? However, this is a case in point – the very fact that he reviewed it weekly caused him to know it so well by heart, like you and I recite Ashrei! That is how one must accustom oneself from the younger years to study and review. What was his greatness? He knew how to use his time wisely and how to use each opportunity to serve Hashem, his Creator. He would review his learning countless times – this is the way Gedolim reach greatness.
The Yeshuos Moshe of Vizhnitz related how when the Berzhoner Rav grew old and lay on his sickbed, many great Talmidei Chachomim came to visit him. As they stood outside his room they began to discuss whether or not in today’s times there was a mitzvah to give gifts of Matnos Kehuna. Hearing the heated discussion, the Berzhoner Rav turned to Rav Meir Shapira and asked what was being discussed. When he was told the topic, he replied, “This is answered explicitly by the Darchei Moshe in Hilchos Mezuza!”
Upon hearing his words, they thought that in his old age his wisdom had dimmed and senility had crept up on him, for why would such a topic be discussed in the laws of Mezuza?
When the Berzhoner Rav heard them continuing to discuss the matter, he asked if they had looked up the Darchei Moshe. When they did, they were astounded to see that he was correct! He then asked someone to bring a copy of his Shulchon Aruch and when it was brought they all saw written in his volume how he had reviewed the entire Shulchan Aruch four hundred times, when he began the cycle and when each review concluded! (Sarfei Kodesh Vizhnitz, p. 231–234)
