The Goldschmidt Family

The Maharshal
a descendant from Rashi

Rabbi Solomon Luria, the Maharshal
(1510-1574)

Known as the Maharshal, Rabbi Luria was one of the Great Ashkenazicposkim (halachic authorities) and teachers of his time. He served asRabbi in various communities in Poland and Lithuania. His major work ofhalacha, Yam Shel Shlomo, covers sixteen tractates of the Talmud.However, it is extant on only seven tractates. In it, Maharshal analyzeskey sugyot (topics) and decides between various authorities as to whatthe practical halacha should be. He emphasizes the importance of theTalmud as the ultimate source. In his introduction Maharshal alludes tothe fact that he was able to study when there was insufficient light asif he were being guided from Heaven.

His Chochmot Shelomo, glosses on the text of the Talmud and comments, isprinted in the standard editions of the Talmud. However, it should benoted that the original separately printed version of Chochmot Shelomo isfar more extensive and contains much more material.

Maharshal’s responsa contain a good picture of the contemporary questionsof the Day. There are a number of responsa to Rabbi Moshe Isserles forwhom he had Great respect but with whom he sharply differed in someareas. He was particularly critical of R. Isserles’ affection forphilosophy, which he strongly opposed. Maharshal, was a strong followerof the Kabbala. Rabbi Isserles’ controversial view was that in manyareas kabbala and philosophy are grappling with the same problems butusing different terminology.

Maharshal was a firm and sharp critic. However, he also invitedself-criticism and it was his custom that every Day a “mochiach” (critic)would reprimand him as one of the masses.

Almost all of the Greatest Rabbis of the time were disciples of theMaharshal.

Family Tree on Jewish Gen From the tree of the Sfas Emet (Yehuda / Arieleib Alter )on the family of Yoheved Rivka Kaminer (his Wife)
see
http://www.jewishgen.org/wconnect/wc.isa?jg~jgsys~ftjpped~2635365~756202208408596500707505505