No Wine at the End

When the Maharsham was very close to death, the doctor suggested giving him strong wine to dull his pain a little. The Maharsham refused. A person who has drunk wine may not rule in halachah, he explained, because his mind may not be perfectly clear. He was nearing the end of his days, and he was preparing the drosho he would give before the Heavenly court. How could he drink now and confuse his thoughts? He preferred to bear the pain and keep a clear mind, so that he could prepare a fitting drosho.

And so, still deep in Torah as he had been all his life, he passed away.