Shevat 16

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Shwadron (1835-1911), also known by the acronym of his name, Maharsham. He wrote an 8-volume work of rabbinic responsa, covering 3,800 topics on all areas of Jewish life. He was known for his incredible dedication to Torah scholarship; on his death bed it was revealed that he had studied the entire code of Jewish law, "The Tur," 101 times. (Many rabbis do not manage to complete this book even once.) In addition to his scholarship, Rabbi Shwadron was of exemplary character; he set aside time every morning to go into his yard and throw crumbs to the waiting birds.