Section: Stories Category: Gedolim Biographies | The Maharam Schick - The Quintessential Talmid | There were twothings that distinguished Rav Moshe Schick, otherwise known as theMaharam Schick. One was his sheer desire to overcome to overcome hisweak body, and mind and the other being his attachment to his greatRebbe the Chasam Sofer.
The Maharam Schick was born in the year1807 in the Bresova in Slovakia. He descended from the Tosfos Yom Tovbut was not known to inherit any great mental skills from hisillustrious ancestor. He childhood years were a picture of willpower. While others were out playing, he sat bent over his gemara andeven depriving himself of sleep, even though, as he told over to hisson-in-law, he had great difficulty comprehending what he was taught. It was thanks to this extraordinary effort that, in his own words, hewas to zocheh to have the fountains of wisdom opened to him. "Hashemsimply pitied my incredible toil."
When he was 11 years old hewent to learn in his uncle Rav Yitzchok Frenkel's yeshiva. At age 14he entered Pressburg the prestigious yeshiva of the Chasam Sofer. Whenthe Chasam Sofer asked a question that stumped all the older talmidim,the scrawny little 14 year old came up with an impressive answer. Thisimpressed the Chasam Sofer, who then invited him to eat the Motza'eiYom Kippur seudah at his table. This was the first of many meals asfor the next years while in Pressburg Yeshiva, he ate at his Rebbi'stable on Shabbos and Yom Tov. The Chasam Sofer affectionately referredto his as his "Seforim Shrank" since all the wisdom of torah was to befound in him.
When the town of Yeregin, near Pressburg, asked theChasam Sofer for a recommendation for a Rov, the Chasam Sofer told themif they took the young Moshe Schick they will not regret it and will bevery content with their choice for many years. He remained Rov inYeregin for 20 years and started a successful Yeshiva. From there hemoved to the town of Chust, where his Yeshiva thrived with over 800talmidim. He also developed a warm relationship with the Yeitav Levthe grandson of the Yismach Moshe.
Before his death the MaharamSchick said that he did not miss a single word from the torah that helearned from his Rebbi, the Chasam Sofer. One time when the MaharamSchick was still in Yeregin, the Chasam Sofer walked in during a shiurhe was giving. He immediately stopped and stood up, not wanting to saythe Shiur in his rebbi's presence. The Chasam Sofer commanded him tocontinue. He then said over only Chidushim that he heard from hisrebbi. After the shiur ended the Chasam Sofer said, believe me, manyof these Chidushim I myself have already forgotten. It was not for nothing that it was said MiMoshe (Sofer) Ad Moshe (Schick) Lo Kam K'Moshe.
He foughtagainst the Maskilim and published a number of seforim including onShailos U'Tshuvos, Taryag Mitzvos, Shas, Chumash, Hagada Shel Pesach,Pirkei Avos, and Drashos. He was also noted for his protest against the law requiring each family to take on an official family name. He chose the name Schick, an acronym for Shem Yisroel Kadosh, the Jewish name is holy. He was niftar at the age of 72 on RoshChodesh Shevat 5639/1879. Yehi Zichro Boruch. |
RELATED ARTICLES:biography Chasam Sofer Chust Maharam Schick Pressburg
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