The name ‘Eideles’ is not the family name of the MaHarsha, as is commonly thought, but derived from the name of his mother-in-law Eidel Lifshitz (Halpern), the widow of HaRav Moshe Lifshitz, Rav of Brisk.

The Maharsha lived in the Kazimirsh Quarter of Krakow, and his mother-in-law supported his family so the he could continue to immerse himself in his learning without disturbance. In addition to this, it was her financial support that enabled him to establish a Yeshiva near his home, and she continued to support it for as long as she could.

Because of this, he was called by many HaRav Shmuel HaLevi ‘Eideles’. Belonging to Eidel. He himself was a descendent of the illustrious Klonimus family, which could be traced all the way back to David HaMelech.

After his mother-in-law’s passing, the Maharsha moved away to serve as Rav in Chelm, and after that in Ostrow (or ‘Ostrog’ as it was called by the Jews at the time). Ostrow was one of the important cities of the ‘Conference of the Four Lands’ (the famous forum of prominent Rabbanim from cities all over Europe), of which the Maharsha was a member. Today only a few lone Jews remain in Ostrow.

The Maharsha was born in the year 1555/5715, and passed away in 1632/5792. He was laid to rest in Ostrow in Eastern Ukraine.

May his memory be a blessing.