Rav Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi Eidels, the Maharsha, was born in Cracow in 1555. His father, Rav Yehuda, was an eminent Talmid Chochom who descended from Rav Yehuda HeChassid, as well as from Rav Akiva HaKohen Katz, the father-in-law of the Shela HaKodosh. His mother was the granddaughter of Rav Yehuda Loewe, the Maharal of Prague. Rebbetzin Eidel Lifschitz of Pozna, the wealthy widow of Rav Moshe Lifschitz, the Rav of Brisk, made a match between her daughter and the Maharsha. She also supported her other son-in-law, Rav Moshe Ashkenazi, mechaber of Zichron Moshe, with whom the Maharsha studied. In appreciation of his mother-in-law’s efforts, the Maharsha added the name Eidels to his own name, and from then on called himself Shmuel Eliezer Eidels. Rebbetzin Eidel passed away in 5368 at the age of one hundred. During his years as Rosh Yeshiva in Austroha, the Maharsha compiled his monumental Chiddushei Halochos and Chiddushei Aggodos on Shas.
